I came across this while searching through Oregon Bicycle Law looking for the possible justification for the aggressive action taken by a motorist I encountered yesterday (I didn’t find it, by the way).
What I did find was this article at Oregon Cycling Magazine that suggests an idea that may (or may not) help relieve some of the tension that exists, particularly it seems in Portland, between cyclists and motorists.
I disagree with the logic of the “since most cyclists already do it, it should be made legal” argument. But, I have always believed that spending as little time exposed to traffic is a good idea for cyclists, and this type of law would help bicycle riders reduce the amount of time spent in multi-use roadways – I call this place the “Danger Zone”. And, as I also can’t find any law specifically prohibiting running over bicycles, I will personally continue to ride as I see prudent…
So, here’s the article and I say write your congressman – this is a sensible idea.
Are we ready for an Idaho-style bicycle yield law?
by Ray Thomas
Would Oregon benefit from a law, similar to the one in Idaho, allowing bicyclists to slow down, yield to traffic and then travel through stop signs without coming to a complete stop or to stop, yield and then travel (when safe) through red lights? Many if not most cyclists tend to behave this way at stop signs already and some, though fewer do the same at red lights. Does it make sense to punish cyclists for slowly and safely riding through a stop sign when no cross traffic or pedestrians are approaching? Would cooperation and good will between cyclists, motorists and law-enforcement improve if these common sense bicycling practices were made legal? To answer these questions, it might help to consider the reasons bicyclists often choose not to stop fully at stop signs or to wait all the way through certain red lights.