A couple of months ago, I wrote that Jonathan Maus, the editor/publisher of Bike Portland, was trying to persuade the Oregon legislature to legalize the "Idaho Stop." In essence, it allows cyclists to treat a red traffic signal as a "stop" sign and a "stop" sign as a "yield" sign. What this means is that a cyclist wouldn't have to stop unless traffic were crossing the intersection. That allows cyclists to get out in front of the traffic approaching him or her from behind, and to cross ahead of incoming traffic. These maneuvers prevent cyclists from being hit by turning vehicles.
Of course, people who don't cycle don't understand as much. They think that cyclists must behave exactly like drivers and stop when and where the drivers stop. They also think we are supposed to ride as far to the right as possible, which of course exponentially increases our chances of getting flattened by a turning car or truck--or of getting "doored."
Apparently, 28 such people in the Oregon legislature think this way. Fortunately, 31 others "get it", and voted to bring the "Idaho Stop" to Oregon on Tuesday 25 June. The bill will now go to Governor Kate Brown's desk for signing, and will become law six months from now, on New Year's Day of 2020.
Of course, people who don't cycle don't understand as much. They think that cyclists must behave exactly like drivers and stop when and where the drivers stop. They also think we are supposed to ride as far to the right as possible, which of course exponentially increases our chances of getting flattened by a turning car or truck--or of getting "doored."
Apparently, 28 such people in the Oregon legislature think this way. Fortunately, 31 others "get it", and voted to bring the "Idaho Stop" to Oregon on Tuesday 25 June. The bill will now go to Governor Kate Brown's desk for signing, and will become law six months from now, on New Year's Day of 2020.
Miracle!
ReplyDeleteI sometime drive round a nearby city where there are sometimes light controlled junctions every fifty yards! I used to cycle round that city almost never having to stop, now cyclists are left standing pointlessly for ages in all weathers. No wonder so many are taking to cycling illegally with the pedestrians and getting us a bad reputation.
There clearly needs to be an exam before folk can stand for office! Stupidity should not be a qualification...
Coline--You remind me of a post I wrote a while back in which I show how some cyclists, in essence, die for obeying the law.
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