Comments on: Should Cyclists Yield or Stop at Stop Signs?

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:04:00 +0000

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?

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:25:18 +0000

“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.

By: Thiess

Thiess — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:50:10 +0000

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.

By: Big Frankie

Big Frankie — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:34:30 +0000

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.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:58:25 +0000

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.

By: James Johnson

James Johnson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:18:35 +0000

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.

By: erink

erink — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:51:41 +0000

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.

By: Cahlen Humphreys

Cahlen Humphreys — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:46:12 +0000

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.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:15:38 +0000

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.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:01:03 +0000

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.