Do you stop at stop signs?
#127
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I have been more aware of the conditions around stop signs recently. Often the combination of slower speed and better visibility on a bicycle gets me to a stop sign with confidence that it is safe to proceed with out stopping. This is true less often in a car.
Bicycles are also more maneuverable and accelerate more slowly. Therefore I think that bicycles not stopping for stop signs is considerably safer for others than a car. The greater exposure on a bicycle changes the calculus around safety for the rider.
However, I think bicycle riders should come to a complete stop at stop signs because not matter how much you think you see, you cannot possibly see everything. Stopping helps others you might not see, see you and behave accordingly.
In addition, I think we should stop to engender respect from others on road ways. Respect of others makes us all safer since the respect of others will increase the courtesy we benefit from.
I do not see myself stopping completely all the time, but I am going to slow down more. And I will yield right of way where I should.
Bicycles are also more maneuverable and accelerate more slowly. Therefore I think that bicycles not stopping for stop signs is considerably safer for others than a car. The greater exposure on a bicycle changes the calculus around safety for the rider.
However, I think bicycle riders should come to a complete stop at stop signs because not matter how much you think you see, you cannot possibly see everything. Stopping helps others you might not see, see you and behave accordingly.
In addition, I think we should stop to engender respect from others on road ways. Respect of others makes us all safer since the respect of others will increase the courtesy we benefit from.
I do not see myself stopping completely all the time, but I am going to slow down more. And I will yield right of way where I should.
Complete brain fart on my part, I guess.
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#128
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BTW I always stop for red lights. Not that I usually ride places where there are traffic lights (I live in a rural area) but I'll always obey them.
#131
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I’ve rolled though some stop signs at RR crossings in the country recently. No trains, no crossarms.
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#132
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It's split, stopping or not stopping at stop signs. The key, for me, is not letting it be a habit. No matter how good we are, no matter how aware and observant, nobody is perfect. When it's a routine habit, that's when we risk rolling through without looking that one rare time. If the habit is to watch and make a conscious decision every time, sometimes running it and sometimes stopping, there is almost no risk.
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#133
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Oklahoma law allows for not stopping if traffic is clear. On the roads I ride, all traffic is not created equal except for the fact it can kill you so I practice the best judgement I can. If it is clear, I will slow to check for traffic Some areas at some times of day I may stop even if there isn't a stop sign.
#135
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Rules as written or as practiced? Because virtually no one actually in traffic fully follows the rules as written. As far as I'm concerned, selective disobedience is one of the rules of traffic.
Last edited by livedarklions; 04-21-21 at 09:42 AM.
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#136
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Bikes don't have the luxury of using the lower stop frequency freeways and thoroughfares cars can go do for more continuous transit. Bikes have to "get out of town". Cars might hit 5 stops leaving and 5 stops entering an area of interest. The ratio of the effect of the stop on the travel of a car is less than a bike. 5 seconds to a car that can go 45, 50mph is less than a bicycle averaging a blistering 20mph.
I try to be "reasonable". Think about "if a car comes from behind that bush to the 4-way and decides to 'roll it' will what I am doing now hurt me?". My interaction at that intersection is governed by that. If I can't see well, I'm slowing to where I could slam brakes and stop before the intersection. If I can see really well, I will slow from a "hammer" to pass through.
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#137
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Riding my area right by my house would be totally impractical if the absolute letter were followed. Most car trips for a person in this area is a couple miles, or you leave the area then use a freeway to get to another area. Bike, it will take you 15 to 20 stop signs just to get to the "countryside". Staying in the neighborhood I likely have 15 to 50 stop signs depending on route and duration around here. 25mph neighborhoods.
Bikes don't have the luxury of using the lower stop frequency freeways and thoroughfares cars can go do for more continuous transit. Bikes have to "get out of town". Cars might hit 5 stops leaving and 5 stops entering an area of interest. The ratio of the effect of the stop on the travel of a car is less than a bike. 5 seconds to a car that can go 45, 50mph is less than a bicycle averaging a blistering 20mph.
I try to be "reasonable". Think about "if a car comes from behind that bush to the 4-way and decides to 'roll it' will what I am doing now hurt me?". My interaction at that intersection is governed by that. If I can't see well, I'm slowing to where I could slam brakes and stop before the intersection. If I can see really well, I will slow from a "hammer" to pass through.
Bikes don't have the luxury of using the lower stop frequency freeways and thoroughfares cars can go do for more continuous transit. Bikes have to "get out of town". Cars might hit 5 stops leaving and 5 stops entering an area of interest. The ratio of the effect of the stop on the travel of a car is less than a bike. 5 seconds to a car that can go 45, 50mph is less than a bicycle averaging a blistering 20mph.
I try to be "reasonable". Think about "if a car comes from behind that bush to the 4-way and decides to 'roll it' will what I am doing now hurt me?". My interaction at that intersection is governed by that. If I can't see well, I'm slowing to where I could slam brakes and stop before the intersection. If I can see really well, I will slow from a "hammer" to pass through.
I also never signal a right turn if there is no chance there is going to be any vehicle on my right to see and need the signal. Sue me.
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#138
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I find that on my ebike I am stopping a lot more. It is just easier to get going again. I am also pretty likely to stop on my trike. With the trike, I can just stop without unclipping. There is also the point that on the trike I am in no real hurry. I just feel that I am more relaxed on the trike, and stopping means so little.
#139
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There is a law proposed in Florida that bicycles can treat stop lights like stop signs and stop signs like yield signs. That is about how I ride. I do yield right of way to cars. Although many cars wave me on even when they have the right of way.
#140
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I do, unless it's a stop sign that I'm familiar with enough to know when it's safe to not. There are two right near each other on my route, which I blow through if no one is coming. Idaho Stop, I'don'know Stop. Car drivers may think ill of this behavior but, I know when I'm safe in these situations.