Sean C. Morgan
Local police say a new bike law, passed last year by the legislature, will give cyclists a little more latitude at stop signs than they’ve had in the past, but not much will change from a law enforcement perspective.
The law, which many backers have tabbed the “Idaho Stop” rule, is patterned after one passed in 1982 in Idaho. It allows bicyclists to essentially treat stop signs as yield signs at intersections – if no one is coming, they can roll through.
“In the past, the requirement for bicyclists was to follow the rules of the road a vehicle would have to follow,” said Sweet Home Police Sgt. Jason Van Eck. Under a new law, if no vehicles are at an intersection with right of way, bicyclists may proceed without stopping.
They are required to yield to vehicles with right of way, Van Eck said. “Basically, essentially, it’s going to be a California stop.”
At the same time, Van Eck said he’s not aware of any bicyclists being cited in the past for running a stop sign, Van Eck said. “It’s always been a warning.”
At this point, if there is an accident or incident involving a bicyclist who did not yield right of way, the bicyclist would be cited for failure to yield, Van Eck said. “I don’t see it’s going to change the way we deal with bicyclists.”
Van Eck said he doesn’t think the new law will make intersections any more dangerous than they have been.
Before, they were required to stop, Van Eck said. “Sometimes they did – or didn’t. A California rolling stop was typical.”
In fact, it’s always surprised him when bicyclists did stop, he said.
Now, right of way still exists, Van Eck said. They need to continue to ride safely and should not challenge vehicles at intersections.
“If I’m at a stop sign and I’ve come to my stop, I have right of way to go; it’s the rider’s obligation to yield to the vehicle,” Van Eck said.
Local triathlete and cyclist Rebecca Wolthuis said she doesn’t think the new rules will change much.
It basically allows something that’s already been happening, she said.
“For the most part, the cycling camp, we’re actually responsible,” Wolthuis said in response to discussions critical of the law.
“It’s frustrating to me when drivers don’t know what the law is. Basically, it’s important we educate ourselves on both sides. Cyclists need to watch out for cars, and it goes both ways. Both need to watch out for each other.”
“I’m OK with it,” said bicyclist Ken Bronson. “I’m a firm believer in the law of gravity. Cars and trucks are really big. If you push your luck and get hit, it’s not good. I’ll continue riding like I do – respect cars and definitely yield the right of way. It’s not going to affect how I ride,”
He urges bicyclists to “be cautious and be smart.”
He is a little concerned, he said. “There’s enough people on bikes who do stupid things.”
They don’t think they need helmets or need to wear bright clothing in the dark, Bronson said, and some may think they can just run a stop sign – the stupid may act stupider.
There are two distinct kinds of bicyclists, people who respect the law and traffic, and those who do not, Bronson said, noting that “gravity always wins.”