Stop signs

[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.