I Support Enacting the "Idaho Stop" in California

The most dangerous place on the road for a person on a bike? The intersection.

Almost all street intersections in California pose as a safety threat to people on bikes. The longer it takes for a person on a bike to pass through an intersection, the greater likelihood that they’ll get hit by an oncoming vehicle.

Assemblymembers Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia) and Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) introduced AB 1103 to allow people on bikes to treat stop signs as yield signs whenever it is safe to do so. Modeled after the "Idaho Stop" law of 1982, AB 1103 has the potential to reduce car-on-bike collisions, eliminate unnecessary enforcement, and allow people on bikes to keep their momentum moving forward. When people on bikes cross more safely at intersections and traffic flows more smoothly, it is a win-win for everyone.

Legislation Update: The authors of our common sense bill to require bicycle riders to yield and stop if necessary at stop sign-controlled intersections have pulled their bill from consideration for now. Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and Carl Obernolte (R-Barstow) said that opposition from the California chapters of the American Automobile Association and the Police Chiefs Association, among others, could not be overcome.

This bill would have made California third among U.S. states, behind Idaho and Delaware, to recognize that people on bikes have different vulnerabilities and capabilities when they approach an intersection and deserve different treatment than people in cars. It would have legalized a common practice and made riding a bike safer and more convenient, and it would have reduced unfair and capricious enforcement.

The arguments against the bill made no logical sense but were powerful nevertheless. When this bill comes back we’ll be better equipped to address the arguments with equally powerful appeals.

In the meantime we're building momentum and support for stop-as-yield legislation in our state, and we need to hear from you.

Add your name below in support of the California "Stop As Yield" policy and make biking safer and more accessible for all.

Changes to V.C. 21200:

A person operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign, after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching from another highway or street so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping. However, if required for safety, the person shall stop before entering the intersection, and may proceed after yielding the right-of-way...A person operating a bicycle pursuant to this section shall continuously signal an intention to turn right or left during the last 100 feet traveled before the turn, provided that a signal by hand and arm need not be given if the hand is needed to control or operate the bicycle.

This common-sense policy change has grown in popularity around our state because of the work of advocates like Walt Seifert; his wheels-to-the-road passion for advocacy continues to advance our list of supporting organizations.

Supporters of Stop-As-Yield Reform Legislation in California:

California Delivery Association

Public Health Advocates

Two Rivers Cider

Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District

Coalition for Clean Air

Bicycle Commuter Coalition Inland Empire

Bike Davis

Bike Bakersfield

Bike Santa Cruz County

California Bicycle Coalition