# Cyclists should stop at stop signs, right? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 2, 2009, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-should-stop-at-stop-signs-right/519774 "2009-12-02T23:39:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-should-stop-at-stop-signs-right/519774/121 "2009-12-10T17:08:26Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > That’s just as reasonable as my position, except from the perspective of a biker. Oh, did I not mention that I, too, ride a bicycle more than occasionally? I wasn’t disagreeing with you, just putting a different spin on the same sentiment. Lots of drivers break the driving laws (especially rolling through stop signs and making turns where there’s a “No Right on Red” sign. It’s common enough that I expect it, rather than just watch out for it. I’m sure you are similarly alert when on a bike. While I’d like bikers to run fewer lights, I’d also like cars to obey the same rules. But I’m realistic enough to know that with the current enforcement regimen, neither is likely to happen soon and so I ride (and drive) accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-should-stop-at-stop-signs-right/519774/122 "2009-12-10T22:00:37Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > > [@\*\*Agent Foxtrot](#): > > > > \*\*This issue here is that if you run a stop sign, \*\*you are breaking the law. > > \*\* > Not in Idaho. And perhaps soon, not in Oregon. Other states may follow this trend. Then what will you whine about? Not that I don’t believe you but can you provide a reference where I can read about this strange traffic non-law in Idaho? ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-should-stop-at-stop-signs-right/519774/123 "2009-12-10T22:38:48Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Can you give examples? That’s not my response but I can give you examples I see idiots doing on my commute every day: Right turns on red where it’s posted prohibited and solo drivers ducking into the car pool lane to get around the left lane bandit doing 10 under the speed limit then popping back over into the standard lanes are the most common. My commute would be quicker and less irritating if I did that, but it would make me a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-should-stop-at-stop-signs-right/519774/124 "2009-12-10T22:40:34Z")
Cyclists should also never ride on the sidewalk, but that’s a whole other argument. ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-should-stop-at-stop-signs-right/519774/125 "2009-12-10T23:07:38Z")
From [here](http://www.bicyclelaw.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/3/7/Origins-of-Idahos-Stop-as-Yield-Law). > [@](#): > > A cyclist approaching a stop sign must “slow down” and “if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection.” The law continues: > > After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-should-stop-at-stop-signs-right/519774/126 "2009-12-10T23:59:04Z")
> [@FallenAngel](#): > > Cyclists should also never ride on the sidewalk, but that’s a whole other argument. Depends on the location. There a couple places near me that the sidewalk is the official bicycle roure (bridge with no shoulder, extension of off road trail) Answering the OP, I stop at all stop lights, and stop signs with even a hint of traffic, signal at all turns, but I must admit I do “Slow, Take a look, if it is Ok, Proceed” for low travelled roads. Brian ---
**Author:** ![independentminded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed8c4c/32.png) [@independentminded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/independentminded)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-should-stop-at-stop-signs-right/519774/127 "2009-12-11T02:25:23Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Oh no, not exactly at all. EVERYONE should be making a complete stop at stop signs and before making a right turn on reds. Cyclists should follow ALL the rules of the road, since they are considered vehicles under the law, not just the convenient ones (and here’s some news for cyclists - YOU’RE NOT PEDESTRIANS!). I’m just saying what people are actually doing, not condoning it. And now I’ll bow out of this thread, because I can’t stand it when cyclists come in and pretend that they aren’t doing what I see them doing every day. I agree, Cat Whisperer. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-should-stop-at-stop-signs-right/519774/128 "2009-12-11T06:46:27Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Not that I don’t believe you but can you provide a reference where I can read about this strange traffic non-law in Idaho? It’s in the link i posted upthread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-should-stop-at-stop-signs-right/519774.md?page=6)