Comments on: Supes Introduce Rolling-Stop Legislation for Bicyclists

By: SantaClarabiker

SantaClarabiker — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 02:58:00 +0000

The proposal isn’t to okay running of red lights. It’s for rolling stop signs if a rider deems it safe. I don’t think legally it should interpreted by any cyclist as a “carte blanche” to blow signs at full speed, but rather permission to slow down, scan the intersection and proceed if it’s clear. The “default” for any cyclist s/b to stop. I know the reality is that there are irresponsible cyclists out there, but responsible ones shouldn’t be penalized because of what the scofflaws might do.

Yes, I think it is onerous to fully stop and each and every stop sign in residential areas on the peninsula. I could be stopping every two hundred yards if I did that (in reality I tend to go to busier roads to avoid the signs, but I’d actually prefer not to do that if I could avoid it). Stop signs are put in frequently because residents complain about the speed of traffic–not because there’s a logical reason for the signs. I’d estimate that 75% of four way stops in my area would be unnecessary if car drivers didn’t speed.

By: sfparkripoff

sfparkripoff — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 02:10:00 +0000

To Mayor Lee, President Breed and Supervisors:

Please do not adopt the ordinance proposed by Supervisor Avalos to make citations for bicyclists who don’t stop at stop signs the lowest law enforcement priority and to permit bicyclists not to stop at stop signs if the intersection is empty.

If this legislation becomes law bicyclists will go through intersections without stopping when they determine that there is no ‘immediate hazard. This proposed legislation will lead to increased crashes because many bicyclists, especially our young riders, will misunderstand the law and blast through stop signs with tragic
results.

Is it REALLY all that onerous to stop at stop signs and red lights? The “Idaho Stop” runs counter to the principles of vehicular cycling and also violates one of the primary elements of traffic safety which is predictability.

The extent that stopping is a burden to cyclists is up to the individual. As a longtime cyclist I’ve never considered stopping to be a problem. Cyclists who are not fit enough to start and stop multiple times when riding, perhaps shouldn’t be on a pedal-bike?

My observation of the “judgment” used by many cyclists when choosing to ignore stop signs or red lights is that they often make very poor and dangerous decisions. Making such behavior “legal” won’t reduce the danger to them or others.

By: SantaClarabiker

SantaClarabiker — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 14:41:00 +0000

I found out about this from a KPIX video. Unfortunately the “news” report from KPIX was idiotic. It didn’t explain the proposal–instead showing repeat footage of a couple of cyclists blowing a stop sign at 12-15 mph around waiting cars. Then it charmingly tried to link errant bicyclists to a illegal immigrant who committed a high profile murder this year and to pot smokers.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that much of California is literally stop sign crazy and many of them have been placed (improperly in my view) as a means of auto speed control. Bicyclists should have the right and responsibility to prudently roll some stop signs if the intersection is clear–and doing this at a slow speed–ie., < 10 mph.