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.

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.