Stop signs

[farrellcollie]

Do you stop or slow down at stop signs? I ask because I usually do stop at stop signs and stop lights, but today, in the car (had to go to outlying county courthouse) I notice several bikes whizzing through them at 4 way stops (we have stop signs everywhere around here). I also had a guy almost run me and my dogs down a couple of years ago while we were in the crosswalk at a stop sign and he actually swerved, fell over and started to swear at me until I politely told him I had expected him to stop at the stop sign and we were in the middle of the crosswalk. Just wondering what you all do.

[Veronica]

I come to a very near stop, with my foot ready to unclip. I always look both ways and I look for pedestrians.

V.

[farrellcollie]

I started wondering if I was the odd one for stopping (or unclipping and going really slow- the rolling stop)

[BeeLady]

I am very careful at 4-way stops - not worried about cars but about the cyclists who do seem to whizzzzz through them!

At a regular 2-way stop, I do what Veronica does, downshift, unclip, come to almost a complete stop, verify there is no traffic (left, right, left) and then proceed through. I try to do what I call a "rolling track stand" and I come to a complete stop, in an easy gear, if I see or HEAR any traffic coming.

At a 4-way, I am less careful unless I see other cars approaching, as I fully expect any cars approaching to come to a complete stop. If there are other cars, I stop and wait my turn.

I also signal at all intersections and really do take seriously my responsibility to obey traffic signs. Now, if I'm out in the middle of nowhere, and have complete view of the intersection I am more likely to go right on through. Its strange, in the same circumstance in a motor vehicle I would stop completely.

[tulip]

I come to a very near stop, with my foot ready to unclip. I always look both ways and I look for pedestrians.

V.

Me, too. At 4-way stops, when there are cars, I stop and act like a car. It confuses drivers sometimes.

[Tri Girl]

Sometimes I abide by the law, sometimes I'm a law breaker. Like others said, a 4 way is less worrisome than a 2 way. I always look for police, tho, before I get to the stop. If I see one, you bet I unclip and put my foot down. I once had a cop pull me over and tell me that unless I put my foot down, it's not a complete stop and I could be issued a ticket for running a stop sign. If no police are present, it's kinda a rolling track stand thing. When cars are present I ALWAYS come to a complete stop- foot down and all. I never totally blow through one tho- that's just stupid.

[Di bear]

Depends on the situation. If there is a right-of-way situation, I stop. I follow the law of the car, as one should. If no one is around, or it's going to be a while before the car stops (4 way stop situation), I slow down, assess the situation, and go through. If it's a busy road or a traffic light, I follow the law. Usually, if there's a traffic law, there is a safety issue involved, and following the law may save your life.

[kat_h]

I am more conscientious about following the traffic laws when I'm on my bike than when I'm walking or driving. On foot I'm a compulsive jaywalker. In the car I'm pretty mellow but I do go a little too fast on the highway. On my bike I am determined to show all of the drivers that some cyclists do follow the rules.

[short cut sally]

I 90% of the time will stop as there is usually other traffic. If it is my turn to go next at the 2/4 way stop, I sometimes get motioned to go by other cars but I motion them to go as I sure hate to keep them waiting as I fumble to clip in. IF there is no cars to be found, I will slow down and then go. I find that women are more apt to motion me to go first than men are. Maybe the pink has something to do with it;) If there are lights involved, I follow the lights regardless of traffic conditions.

[makbike]

It really depends on the location and with whom I'm riding. If I'm riding in the city and by myself or with a small group I will stop.

If I'm riding with the club, which is notorious for blowing stop signs and I'm traveling with a big group I follow the group. If they stop I stop, if they blow it I blow it as well. I know that sounds terrible but the one time I did stop when the group ahead blew a stop sign I was run over by another cyclist. Thank goodness the only injuries I suffered were a lot of deep bruises on my lower back, hip and legs.

If I'm riding by myself in the country it depends on the intersection. If I can see in all directions and it is clear I'll go through (foot is unclipped and pace slows). If I can't see I really slow down and will often stop.

[Veronica]

If I'm riding with the club, which is notorious for blowing stop signs and I'm traveling with a big group I follow the group. If they stop I stop, if they blow it I blow it as well. I know that sounds terrible but the one time I did stop when the group ahead blew a stop sign I was run over by another cyclist. Thank goodness the only injuries I suffered were a lot of deep bruises on my lower back, hip and legs.


That's one reason why we don't ride with big groups anymore or do a lot of organized centuries. That mass mentality of "We're bicyclists, we don't have to stop." I've become very selective about whom I will ride with. At least pretend to follow the law. :D

V.

[OakLeaf]

+1 to what V said.

And if I am stopping, I ALWAYS signal, no matter how far back in the group I am.

[MALcontent]

Oh, boy, you've hit on one of my pet issues! Under the law we are vehicles and subject to the same laws as motorists. And of course that means stopping at stop signs. I used to be a bike advocate and let me tell you that people's willingness to improve facilities and treatment of cyclists is significantly hampered by their perception that bicyclists are a bunch of law breakers. It has also been my experience that drivers are more aggressive and confrontational on the road when they see behavior they think is contrary to the law (I would add riding to the left of the white line and riding two abreast to this group, though in fact this behavior is usually permitted under the law. Motorists just don't know it). I stop at almost every stop sign and hope you all will too!

[Midmichigangal]

I also follow traffic laws when riding a bike.

[Wahine]

I stop, but I do a track stand type of stop and make full eye contact with any driver that has also stopped to make sure that I understand who's going next. Often drivers will wave me through but that is the only time that I take the initiative. I also have issues with big groups that don't stop and I am very selective of my riding mates. I also will not pull up on the right hand side of a vehicle at a stop sign or light.

[Di bear]

Wahine - I'm big on trackstands at intersections. I've had a lot of people wave me through, but I usually nod them through if they legally have the right of way. Heck, practicing trackstands is a great thing. :)

[HoosierGiant]

I stop at every stop sign; signal every turn... even if there's not a vehicle for miles. I wouldn't dream of doing otherwise in my car; won't consider it on the bike. The law's the law.

[jobob]

That's one reason why we don't ride with big groups anymore or do a lot of organized centuries. That mass mentality of "We're bicyclists, we don't have to stop." I've become very selective about whom I will ride with. At least pretend to follow the law. :D

V.

Ditto. :cool:

[shootingstar]

I will stop and if cross illegally, will do tend to do it if I know the intersection and its general traffic patterns at certain times, but still it's not often.

And tendency to do it crossing 1-way streets.

Now at 5:30 am it's pretty dead, when I start commute, so that means flying through 2 one-way traffic intersections.

But otherwise, I seldom fly through a red light from the beginning.

I was hit as a pedestrian when I was a teenager, walking school, thinking more about an impending Latin test. As soon as the traffic light turned green and I stepped off the curb to cross, a car speeding through red light, hit me. Snowy wintery slush cushioned my fall, plus a car that was going slow enough I didn't get thrown on top of the front hood...which is what can happen if a small car goes at fast speed, and impact on body is great enough..

I appreciate life. Humbled. I was hit ....in front of a life insurance building.

[Crankin]

I stop at almost all stop signs. If it's a very familiar intersection, in a quiet area, I'll unclip and slow and look, and go, but other than that, I stop. I ride on a lot of country roads that are narrow and winding, with a suburban population. In other words, there's more cars than planned for these kinds of roads. Even though there's so many cyclists around here that drivers are somewhat used to us, I don't trust anyone.
As for the group rides, the 2 groups I ride with once in awhile are very safety conscious. But, I see other groups blow through signs on a regular basis. I worry more about the squirrelly riders who don't signal when they are slowing.

[PscyclePath]

Stop signs require you to do two things under the law:

1) Stop, e.g., cease forward motion. This can be a track stand, or you can unclip and put a foot down. But you have to stop; and

2) Yield right-of-way to any crossing traffic. Only when the coast is clear can you take off again.

If you make a habit of running stop signs or red lights, you're gonna get hit. Maybe not this time, but Fate will eventually catch up to you. Sooner or later... just how lucky do you feel?

There are no exceptions for groups or group riders. Every individual rider is responsible for individually obeying the traffic laws and signals, so each must stop and yield. What's "Clear!" for the guy at the front of the pack probably isn't for the folks struggling to hold a wheel on the back. All must stop and yield, and considerate ride leaders will soft-pedal or hold up on the other side until everyone is across and back together again.

And yes, motorists blow stop signs all the time, or more commonly, one of those "California stops" where they slow and roll on through. With the exception of a few purists, most of us are motorists, too, and carry over bad habits from our automotive driving to our cycling.

Tom

[OakLeaf]

A track stand is a legal stop, but try and convince a cop who saw you not put your foot down - or waste a day in court with your bicycle demonstrating your ability to track stand to some judge.

I don't encourage anyone to break the law. But it seems that some people's definition of a rolling stop is different from others'. To me, a rolling stop means preparing to stop, unclipping if I'm on the velo, foot on the rear brake if I'm on the moto, and being absolutely prepared to come to a complete stop without loss of control in less than 6" if necessary.

I don't do it on blind corners (although some motorists don't realize that we can see a LOT more than they can...). But IMVHO, maintaining a tiny bit of forward momentum is actually safer on a two-wheeled vehicle as long as I'm prepared to stop. With forward momentum, I have the ability to steer and to quickly accelerate if something approaches from behind or beside me. Once I put a foot down, I'm nothing but a target.

Again, just my opinion and I don't advise anyone else to break the law!

[mimitabby]

I slow down and almost stop at a stop sign. If there is traffic, yes, I do what the cars are doing, wait and take a turn. But if i have good visability, and there is no danger, I don't come to a complete stop unless I am on Mercer Island.

[bean fidhleir]

I stop these days, tho sometimes I used not to where safety wasn't an issue. But I want the ethical authority that comes with playing it straight, so now I play it straight.

[SheFly]

There are no exceptions for groups or group riders. Every individual rider is responsible for individually obeying the traffic laws and signals, so each must stop and yield. What's "Clear!" for the guy at the front of the pack probably isn't for the folks struggling to hold a wheel on the back. All must stop and yield, and considerate ride leaders will soft-pedal or hold up on the other side until everyone is across and back together again.

I FORBID anyone doing a group ride with me to call "Clear" in an intersection (or anywhere else). Why? If the front person calls it, and misses something, and someone behind gets hit, the person calling "Clear" is actually liable under the law. Everyone needs to take responsibility for themselves at any intersection!

That said, any ride I lead (and I do this A LOT) soft pedals after a stop to make sure that everyone got through and is reconnected.

We all want to be seen as having equal rights - that means following (and knowing) traffic laws. I usually come to a complete stop at intersections (although in a trackstand)... but not always. That said, a week ago at our weekly club TT, one of the racers was pulled over and read the riot act for not riding to the right - which ISN'T the law in MA...

SheFly

[Jolt]

Oh, boy, you've hit on one of my pet issues! Under the law we are vehicles and subject to the same laws as motorists. And of course that means stopping at stop signs. I used to be a bike advocate and let me tell you that people's willingness to improve facilities and treatment of cyclists is significantly hampered by their perception that bicyclists are a bunch of law breakers. It has also been my experience that drivers are more aggressive and confrontational on the road when they see behavior they think is contrary to the law (I would add riding to the left of the white line and riding two abreast to this group, though in fact this behavior is usually permitted under the law. Motorists just don't know it). I stop at almost every stop sign and hope you all will too!

Good points. I generally stop just as I would in my car. The exception is situations such as this one residential street on my route to the grocery store, where it's a through street but has a few stop signs that are basically there to prevent people from blasting through the neighborhood. There, I slow way down and roll through rather than coming to a full stop and having to dismount--it's just easier and I'm not creating any kind of hazard by doing so.

[Deborajen]

I always try to stop and unclip at every stop sign, but I'm guilty of not always completely stopping at a wide open intersection that has very little traffic. I'm going to try to make it an always commitment now, especially with gas prices so high and so many new and inexperienced riders coming out. I've seen some bad stuff lately with inexperienced riders blowing red lights, cutting in front of cars, etc. Especially now we need to set a good example.

Deb

[sundial]

If I'm out on a lonely stretch of road with no cars present, I look both ways and proceed through the stop sign. If I'm in traffic, and I make a right turn at either a stop sign or red light, I stop 1) if there are cars signaling to turn and they have the right of way or 2) I do a rolling stop if there are no cars and proceed to turn right on a red light. Otherwise, I come to a complete stop, unclip, watch, and yield to traffic.

[Flybye]

Not all states are the same. In Idaho, we can slow through a stop sign but we should always stop at a red light when approaching an intersection of two way traffic:


49-720. STOPPING -- TURN AND STOP SIGNALS.

1. A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and, if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.
2. A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a steady red traffic-control signal shall stop before entering the intersection, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn without stopping or may cautiously make a left-hand turn onto a one-way highway without stopping.
3. A person riding a bicycle shall comply with the provisions of section 49-643, Idaho Code.
4. A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the bicycle before turning, provided that a signal by hand and arm need not be given if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.

That being said, I rarely stop at a stop sign and unclip - I only do so if the need arises to wait my turn for a car that has beat me to the stop sign to proceed.

We only have 9 intersections in our city :o with stop lights. 10 if you count the one headed out of town. I stop for lights.

[malkin]

I figure that the rude bike riders become rude drivers when they get in their cars.

I stop when there's anyone around or likely to be around. When it's plainly deserted I roll through.

[bmccasland]

I generally stop at all stop signs, unless on an escorted organized ride where the cops are waving us through. What fun! :D

But like Jolt, there are some stop signs buried in my neighborhood to stop cars from barreling through, and I slow roll through them. Although early saturday mornings when I'm making my croisant run, I tend to ride through like they don't exist. Where streets intersect, I slow roll, ready to hit the brakes.

[malkin]

Cops waving us through is the best! In that case I wave and shout "Thank You!" and wish that more riders did too. Even though it's their job and they're getting paid and all that, we can still let them know we appreciate it.

[susiej]

Do you stop or slow down at stop signs? I ask because I usually do stop at stop signs and stop lights, but today, in the car (had to go to outlying county courthouse) I notice several bikes whizzing through them at 4 way stops (we have stop signs everywhere around here). I also had a guy almost run me and my dogs down a couple of years ago while we were in the crosswalk at a stop sign and he actually swerved, fell over and started to swear at me until I politely told him I had expected him to stop at the stop sign and we were in the middle of the crosswalk. Just wondering what you all do.

Yeah, I had one ... rider ... who nearly ran me over complain I wasn't in the crosswalk when I started crossing and prevented her from running the light.

Full stop at a light (behind the car in front of me).

Almost always full stop at signs. If I'm at the top of a hill and nearly in my granny gears, I'm already almost at a full stop and do coast through IF I see no traffic.

[Fujichants]

I also do what Veronica does. But yesterday a cop was patrolling next to me, so I stopped at the stop sign. I looked over at him and he winked at me. Lol.

Anyways, my friend got pulled over once for ignoring the stop sign on his bike. He didn't get a ticket because he didn't bring his driver's license along.

[SouthernBelle]

One odd thing that frequently comes up for me are those traffic lights where there is a trigger buried in the pavement. I don't trigger them. So I stop, check then either proceed if it's safe or hope a car comes along to trigger it.

[malkin]

One odd thing that frequently comes up for me are those traffic lights where there is a trigger buried in the pavement. I don't trigger them. So I stop, check then either proceed if it's safe or hope a car comes along to trigger it.

When we come to those on the tandem, I usually hop off the stoker seat and trot over to push the crosswalk button and run back. I'm always afraid the light will change before I get back, and we'll miss our whole turn.

[Aint Doody]

The "trigger" or smart lights in our area respond to metal. Maybe it's that way everywhere. We just get off the bike and lean it over the wires as much as possible. It works most of the time.

[Geonz]

My safety is more important than the law IMHO, and predictability is important for my safety. The stop signs were erected based on politics and car culture; only *sometimes* because coming to a full stop is the safest way to handle that intersection.

So, usually I stop at a 4-way or do a very safe low speed roller - though we've got some 4-ways out in the boonies that yes, indeed, I ride through when the corn's not up. I can see miles in all directions.
When I'm approaching a 4-way, and there are cars approaching it from further back... fact is, if I come to a legal, full stop then the car will be at the 4-way just about then and wondering just what in tarnation I'm doing, since cyclists generally don't do that. They may process that I'm yielding the right of way (or figure that maybe they don't even have a stop sign) and go forward just as I am... clock!
... so I slow down lots but then proceed forward as it is my turn to do so, and *don't* confuse and slow down that other driver further.
I confuse 'em a little bit when I pull up behind them at the 4-way and wait my turn, though even then I will sometimes pull 'round to the right of 'em if there are people likely to left turn into me, not seeing me behind the other car.
I don't want to stop thinking just because there's a law.
I have often waved cars through when it's their turn (or it's just close and by the tiem I stop they could have gone through four times even if technically I was .01 seconds before them.) There's that perception thing - since I spend more time closer to the place to stop, it looks like I've gotten there first sometimes.

I've been told some of the triggers respond to metal, others need motion. My big honkin' bike triggers most of 'em if I ride right over the dark line in the pavement.

[ACG]

I'm from SoCal, Pasadena, I ride all over, in traffic. Lots of stop signs. I will slow down and un-clip one foot. I will call out slowing and stop sign. I've see other riders pass me and blow thru the intersection while I touch my foot to the pavement. Sometimes drivers will wave me thru. Sometimes drivers will gun it when they see cyclists and roll thru a stop sign, I guess they think stopping at a stop sign where a cyclist is the other vehicle is degrading. I am very defensive when I ride.... cuz I don't want to die and I don't trust vehicles. Sometimes someone in our group goes to the middle of the intersection, stops and waves the group thru.

I hate to see cyclists speed thru and intersection when I'm in a car with other people, then I get told that all cyclists are un-safe. No I say, those are what I call organ donors.

[OakLeaf]

The "trigger" or smart lights in our area respond to metal. Maybe it's that way everywhere. We just get off the bike and lean it over the wires as much as possible. It works most of the time.

I could always trigger the light with a steel framed bike (and getting off isn't necessary), but half the time an aluminum frame motorcycle doesn't have enough ferrous metal to trigger a light (and trust me, there's more steel in the crankshaft than in any bicycle frame, it's just farther away from the sensor and encased in aluminum). A bicycle with a non-steel frame doesn't have a hope triggering a light with nothing but the bearings and races.

[tc1]

Always come to a full stop. Sometimes it's a trackstand stop, where I don't put a foot down, but a stop nonetheless. I am kinda self-righteous about following rules, and since I have commuted by foot and bicycle and skates and skateboard and motorcycle and large and small cars and vans and trucks I feel more than qualified to comment. I used to be one of those jerks who shouted at stupid jaywalkers, I am almost over that but it's so hard. Don't have a combination endorsement, though and probably won't ever get one.

And yeah, the traffic actuated lights work by induction if they are working properly-a ferrous conductor cutting through a magnetic field. Aluminum is a fantastic conductor but not an inductive material. The lights default back to a timed cycle if the detectors aren't working.