Stop signs

[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.

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.

[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.

[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.

V.

Ditto.