A Connoquenessing Township bicyclist was found guilty of a summary charge Tuesday, Dec. 23, after he appealed his case to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Brendan Linton, 30, was found guilty of a summary charge of failure to operate a pedalcycle at safe speed and not impede traffic by visiting Senior Judge Kenneth Valasek.

Linton’s misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge and a summary charge of slow moving vehicle to drive off roadway were withdrawn previously in the case.

The charge stems from an October 2022 incident when a state trooper was following him on Route 68 in Butler Township.

Trooper David Wellington conducted the traffic stop that led to the lengthy court case. He said he drove behind Linton for about 2 miles at 5 to 8 mph before conducting a traffic stop on the 35-mph road. Wellington added curves and traffic prevented him from safely conducting a traffic stop sooner.

At a previous trial, Linton said he rides 3,000 to 4,000 miles per year to combat diabetes and has ridden in 26 Pennsylvania counties and several other states since 2006 or 2007. He said people have the right to ride a bicycle on a road.

A 2012 state law requires bikes to maintain a speed appropriate for them and to make reasonable efforts not to impede traffic. The law allows motor vehicles to give bikes a 4-foot berth when passing even if that means crossing the double yellow center line.