Lawmakers moving to let cyclists roll through stop signs

PHOENIX — State lawmakers are moving to let Arizona bicyclists breeze through stop signs.

Legislation approved Thursday by the House Transportation Committee would let cyclists treat stop signs as yield signs. That means they would need to stop only if there were cross traffic.

State Rep. Eric Meyer, D-Paradise Valley, a cycling enthusiast, told colleagues that having to come to a full stop actually is dangerous, not just for those on the bikes but others around them. He said that is because most serious cyclists actually clip their feet onto the pedals.

“You can clip out,'' he said. “But it takes a second. (If) you're balancing at a stop sign after you clip out, if you don't clip out soon enough, you tip over and a car will hit you then.''

Others told their own stories.

J.D. Dockstader, director of parks and recreation for the city of Mesa, said it is common for cyclists to ride in packs. He said trying to get everyone to stop at the same place at the same time is dangerous not only for them but also for other motorists around them.

Sterling Baer, a board member of the Coalition of Arizona Cyclists, said two-wheel enthusiasts are not seeking to be road hazards. He said the practice of slowing before proceeding is quite safe.

But current Arizona law requires bicyclists to obey the same laws as those in motor vehicles. And what happens, Baer said, is cyclists find themselves being ticketed.

Other supporters of the measure pointed out the legislation says if someone on a bicycle blows through a stop sign and causes an accident, the driver of the other vehicle is not at fault. That provided little comfort for Rep. Jerry Weiers, R-Glendale.

“What about the guy that hits you?'' he asked. “He has to live with the rest of his life.''

Rep. Karen Fann, R-Prescott, said that presumption of liability in the legislation probably does not mean anything once the police and the lawyers get involved.

“We're opening up a whole can of wax for lawsuits up and down. Did they yield? Did they look? Did they not look? Right now, it's cut and simple, you have to stop.

As crafted, the law change in HB 2211 would apply only to those 16 and older — people who likely would have a driver's license and be aware of traffic laws. Weiers said that kind of two-tiered system makes no sense,

“Kids do what we do,'' he said. Weiers said youngsters will see this as yet another example of someone telling them to do as they say, not as they do.

“But you know the kids are going to do what we do,'' he said, and start ignoring stop signs themselves.

Rep. Nancy McLain, R-Bullhead City, agreed to support the measure. But she said she wants colleagues to consider altering it to allow cities to opt out of the law, meaning they could maintain the requirement for bicyclists to come to a full stop at stop signs.

Meyer, however, said he will fight such a change.

He said it's not unusual for bicyclists to pedal their way through multiple jurisdictions, whether on the way to work or simply riding for pleasure. Meyer said it makes no sense to force cyclists to have to figure out whether the city where they are located requires a full stop.

The measure now goes to the full House.