Another read on Cyclists / Stop Signs / Red lights

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Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on July 11, 2014 at 3:25pm

Wow, great read with a lot of smart insight.  I would be great to see some of that implemented in Chicago.  I know I would be more apt to taking side streets versus busy streets to get places knowing I could treat stop signs as yield signs.

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Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on July 12, 2014 at 12:45pm

A slow to a  near stop is a "defacto" stop. I do this in the suburbs. Check out what cars do on a regular basis. They certainly don't open the door and put their foot down; in fact they don't really stop at all in most cases (when they don't have to wait for the intersection to clear). I think that it should be always required  that one slow enough to be able to actually stop. Please also recognize that the right of way should be observed in recognition of the rights of other cyclists ! If I see you coming (e.g., from the right) to the intersection and come to full stop waiting for you (other cyclist) to do the same and you just fly through the intersection then that is a rude move!

A red light is a "must stop and stay stopped" situation for all vehicles (other than right-on-red). In other words: follow the letter of the law. Last time I was "sure" it was safe to ride through a red I almost got creamed by an Escalade. Never again. We need to respect the rights of others and predictability is definitely "called for" in all situations.

Loss of momentum is never and argument. Just think of it as more lovely exercise! If you can't deal with it then don't bike.

I don't like the Idaho argument. Idaho is a whole different world. Here is the largest city in Idaho:

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Permalink Reply by Marion on July 12, 2014 at 10:38pm

Witnessed a cyclist get a ticket for supposedly running a stop sign (I was riding behind the guy and he totally stopped, but a cop on the phone nearly hit him while making a turn without using his turn signals or looking, and ironically then freaked out and gave the cyclist a ticket..absolutely bizarre) in Lakeview the other day. Cop called for back-up and eventually had a cop car and two giant vans at the scene. It was positively frightening and the most absurd police act I have ever witnessed. Court date to come.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on July 14, 2014 at 10:13am

Seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Irvin Steinert said:

A slow to a  near stop is a "defacto" stop. I do this in the suburbs. ...I think that it should be always required  that one slow enough to be able to actually stop. Please also recognize that the right of way should be observed in recognition of the rights of other cyclists ! If I see you coming (e.g., from the right) to the intersection and come to full stop waiting for you (other cyclist) to do the same and you just fly through the intersection then that is a rude move!

A red light is a "must stop and stay stopped" situation for all vehicles (other than right-on-red). 

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Bedno on July 14, 2014 at 10:30am

Was shared at http://www.thechainlink.org/group/idahostop

Those interested in following / supporting the issue may want to join that group.

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