Jim_MSBW

I just registered. The are-you-a-robot challenge I got was to click the boxes that contain a traffic signal. For bicyclists.

Bald Paul

Yeah, you just keep on running through those red lights.
You won't be here for long.

I-Like-To-Bike

Huh?

Tusk

The bot wanted to make sure that you, as a cyclist, know what a traffic light looks like so that when you actually see one in person while you are riding, you can stop when it is red.

Jim_MSBW

I'm a very law abiding cyclist (when it is safe to be so). I was laughing about cyclists in general. Lots of drivers seem confused when I stop at stop signs.

Trakhak

Not confusion -- uncertainty about how to proceed. That's because there are no clear and universally understood and shared standards for interactions between cyclists and drivers, particularly at intersections.

When a driver seems determined to out-wait me at an intersection, I'll sometimes make a show of pulling my water bottle and taking a long swig, noticing something amiss with my front brake that requires my full attention, etc.

Occasionally I'll give in and go first, acknowledging the driver's courtesy with a friendly wave.

work4bike

Yeah, the motorists are confused, because they're so use to cyclists just going thru the intersection, even when the car had the right of way.




/

tomato coupe

That's odd. When I registered, I had to click the boxes that contained BB86 bottom brackets.

Jim_MSBW

Seriously, the way I got myself to stop at red lights and stop signs, even when nobody is looking, is to use them as opportunities to practice my track stand. I stopped at an intersection where a bunch of little kids were waiting for a school bus, and one of them pointed out to his mother that man who stopped and he didn't put his feet on the ground.

Leisesturm

I could be wrong, but I heard Oregon (my state) was about to adopt Idaho's statute for cyclist behavior at stop signs. Whether they do, or do not, I will continue to 'Idaho stop' at those intersections where my considerable judgement, honed over many years, determines it is safe so to do.

Leisesturm

Seriously, the way I got myself to not give a rip about who was looking when I toast both sides of a stop sign in broad daylight, was to use them as opportunities to lower the ETA of the outbound commute. The earlier I get DW to her jobsite on our tandem, the happier she is. The happier she is ...

Trakhak

I used to do that. Now I figure that it's worth it to me to follow the road rules, having read so many complaints from drivers about scofflaw cyclists. A little respect goes a long way.

And, anticipating the whatabout replies, what scofflaw drivers do is irrelevant to me.

Leisesturm

Well, you do you, but the other morning I arrived at a stoplight going yellow on a downhill bomb. I dumped about 10mph of delta vee and slid through the intersection on what was left, about 12mph. Cars arriving at the light with me were obligated to stop. Gliding through a solid red in an Escalade has far higher consequences. They know that. I know that light. Waiting the full cycle would guarantee I would never make the next light four long blocks away. I could go all goody martyr and some days I do. This day I didn't and so when I arrived at the next light all those cars were there with me. They made up the lost time almost the instant they got the green and dropped the hammers. We humans did not become Apex Predators by attempting to best far larger and stronger animals in head to head 'by the rules' engagement. Road laws are evolving. Why? Because that's how we do. Albeit not everywhere at once. And I would never argue about what scofflaw drivers do. My ETA has the last word on the minute to minute behavior choices I make.

retswerb

Been that way for almost five years now. Beginning in 2020, Oregon Cyclists Can Treat Stop Signs As Yields - OPB

Preliminary studies indicate that it's not only convenient, but also increases bicycle safety. Bicyclist Yield As Stop Fact Sheet (nhtsa.gov)

flangehead

Oklahoma adopted an “Idaho Stop” law several years back.

The traffic light provision allows a cyclist to proceed in all directions after stop if safe to do so.

It’s very helpful for the common situation where a sensor won’t trigger.

However I found that some motorists interpreted my use of the law as permission to do the same at red lights.

Also I learned not to use it at big multi-lane intersections with others present because I couldn’t predict the sequence.. for example, the opposing left turn arrow going on without me knowing.

JoeyBike

I forgot what BF member composed this originally, but I will always remember it and follow it to the letter:

"I will stop for ANYTHING, but I do NOT stop for NOTHING."

Or something like that.