Does Boise, Idaho have the nation’s most enlightened bike laws?
Uncategorized May 23rd, 2008
A reader sent me this article about local traffic laws in Boise, Idaho. It seems that stop signs in Boise are considered “yield” signs for bicyclists, and red lights regarded as stop signs. Which means: you don’t have to stop at a stop sign, and you have to stop, but not wait, at a red light.
My friends and I are always talking about how great this would be if it were ever to happen. I had no idea it was already the case in some municipalities.
–Erik Ryberg
May 24th, 2008 at 9:35 am
That’d be great if motorists both were aware of and respected such arrangements. I barely trust motorists to not try and run me over when I’m passing through green lights.
May 27th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
IIRC, this is state law in Iowa, not Boise city code.
May 31st, 2008 at 4:00 pm
And why should cyclists enjoy this privilege, outside of their own inflated self esteem?
August 8th, 2008 at 8:03 am
I live in Boise, and yes, it’s a great law, not because of self-inflated egos, but because it takes a lot more effort for cyclists to regain their momentum than for drivers who just have to push down the gas pedal.
The stop sign portion of it works just like a yield sign for a motorist. That is, you don’t just blow through a stop sign. You slow down, check for traffic, and if it’s clear you continue on. If it isn’t clear, you stop (Or slow down enough for the hazard to pass).
The stoplight portion works similarly. Come to a stop at a red light. If it’s clear to continue on, you go without waiting for the sensor. If it isn’t clear, you wait. I’ve been at many stoplights where cross-traffic required me to wait for the light to change.
I’ve never had a problem with either provision. The law’s biggest drawback is that it requires common sense for the cyclist (Which isn’t always the case), and knowledge of the laws by law enforcement (Which is usually the case).
September 4th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
What possible reason could there be against such common sense laws? If a bicyclist disregards his sense entering an intersection, s/he will not kill or hurt anyone except themselves. The reason NO bicyclists ever (even very responsible ones, as well as police) stop at stop signs is simple because it is entirely unnecessary and downright dumb, not to mention a huge pain in the arse. Going at bicycle speeds it is not necessary.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:59 am
On comment number 4. by Scott, I’m am an avid rider in Twin Falls, and I’m Trying to get this topic out in my community. So that I myself and other riders will quick being harassed. Are there any other documents, websites, articles, codes, really anything besides the drivers manual that state this concept?
If anyone has any ideas please let me know! I’m single cyclist show at the moment. I’m not sure how but i want to get the whole community of riders in the state of Idaho to maybe make an impacted state wide and not just city wide. Also to put an end to newspapers write a few articles every so often on how the government is trying to represent us and the problems we face.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Angelina, Sadly, I no longer live in Boise. My suggestion is to contact BikeBoy aka the Bike Nazi in Boise. He’s a transportation cyclist and advocate. As such, he’s well-versed in Idaho’s bike laws, and he regularly lobbies the local gov’t in all things velo-related. And his blog is entertaining.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Oops. The link didn’t work. The Bike Nazi is at http://www.bikenazi.blogspot.com/
March 5th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Sorry. I’m not trying to hijack this thread. Here are his Idaho bike law posts:
http://bikenazi.blogspot.com/search/label/bicycle%20law
March 5th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Ok, just to avoid future confusion on this site I’d like to point out that the Scott above is not the one that lives in Tucson and has posted frequently here about how this double-standard nonsense is a really bad idea for cyclists in the long run by perpetuating the public perception of bicycles as recreational toys and not serious vehicles subject to vehicle laws. I mean really – if you’re that afraid of extending the effort it takes to ride, then what are you doing on a bicycle in the first place? Stuff your lazy ass into an SUV where it belongs if you can’t hack a little exercise!