Comment 49323

By Undustrial (registered) - website | Posted October 12, 2010 at 21:58:41

The problem with stopping at stop signs on a bike is that all to frequently, drivers don't have a clue what to do. They think they're being kind by waving you on, but in reality they just confuse everyone - I almost got hit by a cab at a four way stop the other day because a driver was nice enough to wave me on...

When I go through a stop sign, drivers always seem to expect it and know what to do. That is not to say that I don't stop at stop signs - if somebody else has the right of way I give it. But for unused side streets I know well it is often sufficient to be able to stop, and to make sure you're looking for cars. For red lights I stop, then proceed if it's safe.

Complex traffic laws and systems are not built for bikes, and one of the first things we need to do if we want to make cycling safer is stop confusing safety and anal-retentive legalism. Yes, people go through stop signs on bikes - but is it a cautious rolling stop, or just cruising blindly into the path of moving cars? The same could be said of sidewalk-riding, it can be done safely, but often isn't.

"Today, the notion of progress in a single line without goal or limit seems perhaps the most parochial notion of a very parochial century." — Lewis Mumford

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