What do you guys think about cyclist rolling through or stopping at stop signs when riding? I've heard a lot of varying opinions from both sides. Do you think cyclist should come to a complete stop or is it ok for them to roll through at a stop sign or red light?
Stopping
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IMO, coming to a complete stop is unnecessary on a bike. In a car or truck it makes complete sense because the "A" pillars, rear view mirror, visors, etc. can obscure your ability to see traffic and pedestrians. Cyclists do not have these problems and can easily scan side to side before proceeding without coming to a complete stop.
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I ride a lot late at night... betweem 9pm and 3am. At that time in this small town, I pay almost no attention to stop signs and lights because there is almost no traffic. But, early morning and mid-day rides I will obey the traffic signs when there are other cars around. You definitly have to watch out for the drivers because they aren't watching out for you. Always assume they don't see you and you'll live a little longer.
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I have mixed feelings about it. Some bikers in my town just go on their way without thought. There is one dangerous corner that time after time bikers will ride on the side of traffic and cars have left a gap for people in the other lane to go through. Time after time I see really close calls, just a matter of time. You just don't expect anyone there since they other lane is giving you the right of way.
If it's a neighborhood it is ok to run stop signs, I used to do it all the time growing up. As long as you have a good visual radius around each corner.
What about bicyclists riding on the far right side of a heavily trafficked road, do you pass them and try to squeeze by, while staying in your lane (while there is a perfectly empty sidewalk right next to them that stretches the entire road for miles)?
What if a duely truck came through with really wide mirror extensions on it and smacked you in the back of the head?
What about bicyclists riding on the far right side of a heavily trafficked road, do you pass them and try to squeeze by, while staying in your lane (while there is a perfectly empty sidewalk right next to them that stretches the entire road for miles)?
What if a duely truck came through with really wide mirror extensions on it and smacked you in the back of the head?
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I tend to pass them as long as it if safe, although I agree that they probably would be safer on the sidewalk.
I know in VA the technically correct thing to do is to stop at a stop sign. You are considered a motor vehicle in the state of VA and technically you are supposed to obey the traffic laws. I have known some guys get tickets/violations from cops who are just trying to be jerks but it can hold up in court (technically). I dont stop at all of them, but i also make sure i know where i am riding before i decide not to stop at them. A lot of stop signs in residential areas really only require slowing down, but just my .02 cents
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I think it depends on where you are at, the time of day, and how busy of a place it is. I think it is completely necessary in at busy intersection but if you are in a quite neighborhood, no biggie.
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I will have to stay stop. A lot of bike riders complain that the cars are not treating them right. They don't share the road. The don't show us respect while we are on our bikes. Yet they yell that they have the same rights as a car. Well if you want the respect, if you want them to share the road, and you want them to give you the same right of way they give other cars then you have to act as such and follow all of the rules of the road just as a car does.
Do I stop everytime? Nope Do I follow the rules every time? Nope. but I can't complain about them being big dummies if I act like a big dummy.
Do I stop everytime? Nope Do I follow the rules every time? Nope. but I can't complain about them being big dummies if I act like a big dummy.
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My stopping on my bike is nearly identical to how I drive my car, if it's a stop sign on a quiet side street or an intersection where it is pretty obvious no one is coming I will slow down to make sure it's safe then roll through it. The only time I tend to ride right through a stop sign is at a 4 way stop on a big climb, but in that situation 9/10th of the time any waiting traffic will be waving me on before I even get to the chance to stop. My part of the world is pretty flat and people seem to love seeing cyclists go after the few decent sized hills in the area.
A complete stop.
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I'm surprised by people's responses. It's always necessary. Stop signs are not only for traffic but also to pay consideration in places like school zones. I think until we all start obeying the real laws of the road were never going to get the respect we deserve. Not to mention if you rip through a stop sign and a car does it at the same time your dead. I think when it comes to coming up against metal and pavement I will lose every time.
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I stop most of the time, but most of mine are street crossings while on a rail-trail. On most of those, traffic stops/slows as I get there and waves me on. In those cases I am slowing down then headed back up to speed when traffic waves me on. Stop lights always get stopped at, but occasionally I do cross on the red when there is no traffic.
I agree that we need to show respect to the rules of the road in order to expect respect from cars/trucks on the road. We can't complain about others not following the rules if we don't either.
I agree that we need to show respect to the rules of the road in order to expect respect from cars/trucks on the road. We can't complain about others not following the rules if we don't either.
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