Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: bicycle traffic laws, bicycling, cycling laws, Idaho stop, jaywalking, makes too much sense, stop as yield, urban cycling
The Denver Post editorial board (which has not always projected clear-headedness on bike issues) looks kindly at Aspen stop-as-yield, while not exactly embracing it for Denver. Notes that widespread jaywalking hasn’t caused any catastrophic rips to be torn in the space-time continuum:
Certainly there are busy intersections where the stop-as-yield rule won’t work. But the same can be said for jaywalking.
As much as you might argue that pedestrians should obey signs in crosswalks, the truth is there are many times where it’s simply unnecessary or impractical. (Denver’s 16th Street Mall and its numerous cross streets during non-rush periods come to mind.)
We’ve long supported a share-the-road philosophy when it comes to cars and bikes. But that doesn’t mean automobiles and bicycles have to share the same traffic laws if more sensible alternatives exist.
via Let bicyclists in Aspen treat stop signs as yields – The Denver Post.
Why would it make any difference if an intersection is busy or if it’s deserted? The same principle applies regardless. If there is cross traffic, stop and wait. If it’s clear enough to ride across without violating another road user’s right-of-way, go.
A huge majority of Denver’s cyclists ride this way already.
Industrialized Cyclist Notepad 