Comments on: Bill introduced in Arizona legislature to permit bicyclists to treat Stop signs as Yield signs

By: Arizona Bike Law Blog » Blog Archive » Why I support "Bikes safe at stop signs"

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:22:53 +0000

[...] this proposal is quite controversial, e.g. the discussion over at tucsonbikelawyer.com, see here, here, and [...]

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:54:38 +0000

Yes, but existing disparity of law mostly exists to address points of safety *caused* by the disparity between vehicles – this particular one has no such justification. While I agree that bicyclists, due to their lower speed and shorter stopping distance, don’t really *need* to come to a full stop at intersections, it’s not really a bad idea that they do so.

I agree with Ron that it’s not really a good idea to start creating “special” laws for bicycles simply to cater to convenience. Your bicycle is a vehicle, not a toy – we’re better off if we all at least act like we believe that.

By: BB

BB — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:45:13 +0000

“At first glance, I disagree with this revision. A vehicle is a vehicle; a stop sign is a stop sign; and a ‘double standard’ law pertaining to one universally understood and longstanding symbol can only lead to misunderstandings and potential accidents.”

There are many areas of bike vehicles vs motor vehicles in our code. Until they lower the speed limit to 15 mph I want separate laws.

By: Tempe Bicycle Action Group » Blog Archive » Idaho stop law proposed in Arizona

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:07:19 +0000

[...] tucsonbikelawyer.com: It’s [...]

By: Ron Kearns

Ron Kearns — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:20:31 +0000

At first glance, I disagree with this revision. A vehicle is a vehicle; a stop sign is a stop sign; and a ‘double standard’ law pertaining to one universally understood and longstanding symbol can only lead to misunderstandings and potential accidents.

Please explain the reasoning and justification for the change, other than for convenience. Others might disagree with the change and this would be a good opportunity for proponents to clarify some concerns and perhaps win the support of opponents, such as I am right now.

Respectfully,
Ron

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:18:57 +0000

Great work, Erik! This would be the first large-scale law of this kind in the U.S., wouldn’t it? (I don’t know very many people in Idaho…)

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:16:59 +0000

Jax – it’s not a *real* traffic roundabout as most folks from places that have real roundabouts know them. In Tucson they considered “traffic calming devices” like speed bumps, and are small (about 8ft dia.) gardens planted smack in the middle of residential intersections, mostly intended to motivate people to stop at routinely ignored stopsigns.

By: BB

BB — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 04:53:05 +0000

If after driving or riding past a yield sign or stop sign without stopping the driver or bicycle rider is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection, the collision is prima facie evidence of the driver’s or bicycle rider’s failure to yield the right‑of‑way.

That reminds me of the bike lane law. Where you must ride in a nearby bike lane or a motorist is exempt of all penalties.

Because when the cyclist is dead the drivers story is written down.

Second comment while not state cycling where riding was suppose to be? cycling past. Riding and driving are the same thing if a bicycle is a vehicle.

By: Erik

Erik — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:59:48 +0000

Bike Jax: Yes, I agree, but there are a lot of stop signs at roundabouts in Tucson, for some reason. Even four way stops!

Doug: It’s an AZ thing. I will be giving out suggestions for advocacy of this bill when the time comes. You can find your district and legislators at the http://www.azleg.gov website.

Rep. Patterson: Thanks for your comment and your efforts to get statewide, bipartisan support for this bill!

John: No, the signs would stay the same, but cyclists would be permitted to proceed through them safely.

By: John Hopkins

John Hopkins — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:02:04 +0000

So, if the legislation is passed, would stop signs get a second line saying “bikes yield”?