Mark's Stop Sign Manifesto

I rode 100 miles yesterday with the club. Many members have mentioned to me how terrible we are with bike safety and following the rules of the road. I usually think we're not as bad as they say we are, but after yesterday, I agree a little bit more. Members in our group coasted through many stop signs, and stole the right of way from cars 3 times at 4-way stops. One member blew a 2-way stop crossing M-52, forcing a van to get on the brakes.

I think the unpredicability of cyclists at stop signs is probably the #1 thing that ticks off motorists. Most drivers can't tell whether or not the bicycle is going to stop, because they're practicing the "rolling stop". The rolling stop is where the rider slows up, but never stops and puts their foot down. The bike is actually still moving.

Because the bike has no brake lights or other "stopped" signals, the only way that a motorist knows that you're going to stop is if you put your foot on the ground. I've seen a number of motorists just staring at me, waiting to see if I'll go while I roll the bike. Eventually, I'll slow down too much, and have to put my foot down anyway to let them go. Sometimes, I get folks who will waive me through just because they're afraid to go while I'm rolling through the intersection.

Anyway, here's my take on how a bicycle should approach a 4-way stop:

1) Always slow down enough so that you can come to a stop if a car beats you to the intersection. You should give yourself time to look both ways.

2) If no traffic is at the intersection, proceed from that slowed down position.

3) If cars are at the intersection and will or have beat you to it, stop and put your foot down to signal that you are yielding the right of way. Don't let them waive you through.

4) If a car is braking and will reach the intersection ahead of you, don't accelerate through while they're braking. That will either just scare them, or make them mad. This is especially a problem if you steal the right of way, then force them to pass you after the fact.