Should Cyclists Yield or Stop at Stop Signs?
Posted on 28. Apr, 2009 by carlos in Commuting
Today the debate about the safest, most ‘friendly’ way for a cyclist to go through a stop sign came up. I had no idea this was even a debate, but this video below makes sense to me after spending a few months on a bike. The driver’s viewpoint also makes sense: that if you (the cyclist) want to act like a car, do so in every way.
Here in Austin TX, the University of Texas police are ‘cracking down’ on students who do not stop.
“You ran a stop sign. Are you familiar with the state bike laws?” asked UT Police Officer Joseph Silas, still wearing his helmet as he inspected the advertising junior’s ID card. via (The Daily Texas)
Cyclists in the video are not arguing that speeding through busy intersections should be legal, but they are suggesting that stopping is unnecessary under some circumstances:
Carla
28. Apr, 2009
As long as bicylists are using the roads they should be held to the same stopping standards as automobiles.
Driving around the UT campus while the sun is still rising, it’s very hard to see bicyclists that consistently run stop signs. I’ve almost hit several on multiple occasions.
That said, the police officers should use some judgment in enforcing these regulations. They should concentrate enforcement in high traffic areas. Enforcement efforts should be targeted to major intersections.
Tor Kingdon
28. Apr, 2009
As a cyclist, I already treat Stop signs as though they are Yield signs. I am very cautious, but that applies to how I enter intersections when I don’t have a stop sign, as well, because I’m acutely aware of how invisible bikes are to most drivers.
As a car driver, I don’t mind at all if a cyclist rolls through a stop sign near me if they do it safely. Even in a situation where a cyclist does ride near me in a potentially dangerous way, I recognize how much more dangerous it is for them than it is for me.
Tor Kingdon
28. Apr, 2009
To Carla’s point, all vehicles on the road are not held to the same standards. For example, buses often have their own green lights allowing them to get in front of traffic. Furthermore, cyclists are not motorized vehicles and they often have no choice but to share the road with motorists because there aren’t enough dedicated bike paths and it’s illegal for bikes to ride on sidewalks in many cities. Cyclists being allowed to yield does not give them free reign to “consistently run” stop signs in a reckless manner and what Carla describes sounds reckless on the part of the cyclists. Reckless cyclists who endanger themselves and others should be subject to legal repercussions.
Jay
28. Apr, 2009
I’m not sure what you “should” do, state laws notwithstanding, but I don’t stop.
Like Tor, I treat them as yield signs. I do slow enough that I *can* stop, if necessary.
I commute the same route to and from work every day, so I have a good sense of where visibility will be low and can plan to coast to a slightly slower speed as I approach (sorry, fixed-gear-heads).
In unfamiliar territory, I’d be more cautious at any stop sign.
Chris
29. Apr, 2009
I often find myself at a stop light with no cars or pedestrians in sight. Since it is rare that I can actually activate a traffic light sensor on my bike, I usually just go through. Stopping is a waste of time and energy in this case.
Cahlen Humphreys
29. Apr, 2009
I live in Idaho and I always use rolling stops. Though, I live in a VERY rural area about 20 miles outside of Boise. Of course, when visibility around corners is bad I’ll always stop. I know the roads out here very well, and know where there is heavy traffic.
When I ride in Boise it’s a different story. I’m not familiar with every street so I take a lot more caution. I try to stay away from most of the busy streets without stop lights if possible. It’s up to the cyclist’s experience with their surrounding area. I don’t think they should have to stop at all stop signs, but the law needs to be VERY very very clear. Otherwise, the next time there is a county budget deficit, they’ll be hammering citizens with laughable cycling violations constantly. As they do now, with menial traffic tickets.
erink
29. Apr, 2009
I do use rolling stops, because on a bike, you can evaluate the intersection completely while moving very slowly. But I mostly do it if there’s nobody else around.
If there’s a car at the intersection, or any ambiguity about who should go next, I make a point of stopping and putting a foot down. It’s a clear signal to drivers that I intend to take turns – that I can be trusted.
As a “lawful” cyclist I still get the backlash for all the rogue bike drivers out there. Why should a driver respect our rights to the road if we don’t respect theirs? So I’m not crazy about this idea.
Is anyone getting ticketed for rolling stops anywhere – on bikes or in cars? It’s not really needed.
James Johnson
29. Apr, 2009
It’s been my experience that most drivers are unaware, so that means you have to be extra-defensive, and sometimes that means being a little aggressive. It’s frustrating that so many rules are being placed on bicycling, and I’m sure that that is part of the reason more people don’t use it as a form of transportation.
Bryan
30. Apr, 2009
I’m with erink 100% in that it’s reasonable for us to roll stop signs when no other vehicle is entering the intersection, but that it’s also necessary to play fair when there is someone else approaching the line.
Big Frankie
01. May, 2009
I am all about coming to a full stop… most of the time. Earlier this year I was biking to work, and waiting for the light to turn green before going through the intersection. Well, I did not get off the bike and was inching closer and closer to crossing the crosswalk. Finally, I did cross the crosswalk, but just barely. All along, I did not think there was anyone in a car watching any of this, but sure enough I heard something. “Stop your bike, until the light goes green” and I did just that, turned around to see an officer in a police car on the loud speaker talking to me… Anyways, I almost always stop, its the right thing to do.
Thiess
14. May, 2009
I mostly bike in New York City, where there’s pretty much always a lot of traffic and very few stop signs. On the rare occasion that I come to a stop sign I would go with a rolling stop, but since there’s always traffic I end up stopping.
Neil
21. Jul, 2009
“I’m with erink 100% in that it’s reasonable for us to roll stop signs when no other vehicle is entering the intersection, but that it’s also necessary to play fair when there is someone else approaching the line.”
It’s good to see someone say that. Here in Boise, with the law as it is, I can’t tell you how many cyclists I’ve seen flying down the road not expecting to stop when I’m stopped at the sign, getting ready to go because I have the right-of-way.
Man, do they get pissed off when I take it!
I’m just asking for people to respect my rights in a car instead of being stripped completely of mine when some lunatic on a bike is zipping in and out of the bike lane in front of me and gets upset that I want to get by him.
Eric
29. Jul, 2009
I have to laugh when I read “As long as bicylists are using the roads they should be held to the same stopping standards as automobiles.”
When I ride to work I am not listening to a radio, not on my cell phone, not checking my hair in the mirror, I’m not speeding, ‘m not making lane changes without signaling I’m looking out for cars and people, no need for me to stop at a sign when I can see that there are no cars or people at the intersection.
So why would you want cyclists to lower their riding standards to that of automobile? Shall I start texting on my bike?