When I drive I’m aware that I’m in the killing machine which means to me that if a bike comes to an intersection and doesn’t look like they’re stopping I consider them having the right of way no matter the situation.
I make space for mopeds and give them also extra care if they’re doing something dumb just because in a collision I’m not the one getting injured. For example in a congested roundabout I know they’re probably going to filter through and pass in front of my car so I just make space so that it can be done safely.
Safe and predictable.
Everyone is an asshole here, blowing through red lights. Fuck everyone involved. Nothing to do with cars or bikes. I’m pissed.
Nope! Cars and bikes have different traffic laws. Where I live what the cyclist did is perfectly legal because they only have to yield but not stop and they expected the car to stop as it should have.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
As a cyclist it is safer to yield because bikes can’t speed up quickly from a stop. If we maintain speed it’s easier to get out of the way if we need to.
Just to be clear, this is different states by state. Some states allow a yield at a stop sign for cyclists. Some require a strict stop like ant other vehicle on the road. There may even be stricter city ordinances too. Know your local laws before cycling through a stop.
The most dangerous place for cyclists is the middle of an intersection. Bicycles do not have A pillars, and thus no blind spots. If the intersection is clear, the cyclist should continue through without stopping to leave the intersection faster. Bicycles are slow to start, and can only take evasive actions while in motion. So its much safer to not stop.
Those laws are good and make cyclists safer. Some places may have different laws, but any law telling cyclists to stop at all stop signs should be disregarded. Ensuring your own safety is far more important than appeasing bureaucrats.
Edit: Just re-read my own local traffic laws and cyclists can legally treat stop signs as yeild signs here too!
They’re certainly right about that last sentence, but not in the way they think.
Prepared for Terries vibes.
