Scofflaw cyclists are at it again!

[Robert Abraham]

Interesting article from SF Weekly. A good illustration of "letter of the law" versus "spirit of the law" going on. Also drives home just how practical the "Idaho stop" really is.

http://m.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2015/07/30/this-is-what-happened-when-bicyclists-obeyed-traffic-laws-along-the-wiggle-yesterday

[karlos]

Unfortunately the "Idaho stop" is not a CA law. For group rides, I recommend the first cyclists in the group stop legally, then the whole group goes at once. If cars are at the intersection, the first few (or even if you're by yourself) should unclip one foot and stop completely, because most motorists expect cyclists to run the stop. You shouldn't have trouble with cops rolling as a group (don't unhitch), but theoretically it's illegal.  As far as rolling through stops, it's the same as in a car. Risk it if you will, but you have no right to argue or complain if cited (unless you live in Idaho :-)). In Portland,  police look for at most "walking pace" and attentiveness when applying their "spirit of the law." Always ask yourself if you have doubts: "would I do this in a car?"

If you want the Idaho stop law in CA, step up and become an advocate. It has certainly been brought up many times, but no bills in the state assembly (yet). I would go along with it as bikes rolling stops is not as big a safety hazard as cars, although pedestrians have been killed (famous incident in San Francisco just last year). The other issue is social. Most motorists just don't like cyclists, probably because they observe cyclists with arrogant attitudes not following the rules of the road. Granting cyclists a free pass at stop signs (and just a full stop at red lights per Idaho) is just another reason for motorists to be annoyed with us.
Karl

[Serge]

The most effective and efficient gesture I know to communicate to others that I'm yielding to their right of way at a 4-way stop is to unclip one foot and dramatically swing it out away from the bike. 

They respond instantly.  It's much  more effective than hand or head gestures, measured in terms of how quickly they move, and just as effective and of course much more efficient than actually coming to a full stop and putting that foot down. Of course the law technically requires coming to a full stop but overtly yielding like this should more than satisfy law enforcement.

[Judy Frankel]

Just for clarity the pedestrian wasn't killed by an Idaho stop which means Yield..   There was no yielding in the death of a pedestrian.. it was a blast through a red at speed.

[Robert Abraham]

I guess you could say that in a group ride, the front will make a full stop, but the rest of the riders only yield. So, "Half-Idaho"? Serge nailed it though. I do that all the time, and it usually works. I think the main point of the article is to point out the absurdity of non-cyclist's views. Imagine if all those riders had been in cars. Would they get honked at, or would people just give in and accept a large volume of vehicle traffic? Why is it ok for me to hold you up if I'm in a car, but not if I'm on a bike?

[karlos]

Judy - I wasn't claiming the cyclist who killed the pedestrian made an Idaho stop [aka yield]. I just wanted to point out that cyclists blowing stop signs DO pose safety hazards - not really to motorists, but to other cyclists and more vulnerable users such as pedestrians. I might also add that unclipping and either stopping full or swinging your foot per Serge is a good way to indicate you're yielding. And, if there are no cars, I never even unclip but slow or even hit v=0, as unclipping is the most common safety hazard [to me] - just look at the scars on my shins sometimes from those few times where I haven't quite clipped in and the pedal has banged me - OUCH [slipped off the pedal once today on the Sat ride with no harm, but Rob saw it :-)].
Karl

Just for clarity the pedestrian wasn't killed by an Idaho stop which means Yield..   There was no yielding in the death of a pedestrian.. it was a blast through a red at speed.

[Will King]

Has anyone had issues with the SDPD and Idaho Stops? I have done it in front of plenty of cops and yet to have an issue. It seems to me as long as you slow down, look both ways and don't cut off any cars' right of way you should be okay.