[SDCBC] yield, stop, or service

[John Forester]

The law regarding stop signs carries two duties. The first duty is to 
stop, the second duty is to yield to approaching traffic that is so 
close as to constitute a danger. Generally, in urban areas the stop 
location is behind a crosswalk, but the yield cannot be done from 
that location because the cyclist cannot see far enough along the 
cross road. Any driver then has to stop, then creep forward to where 
he can see to yield, and then perform whatever yielding action the 
traffic situation requires, which may be a lengthy stop or may be an 
immediate go. The earlier stop protects pedestrians, the later yield 
protects all drivers. In my instruction I emphasize the importance of 
creeping forward so slowly that the cyclist has the longest time to 
evaluate the approaching traffic, so he can make the best use of 
whatever yielding action is required. I do not emphasize the earlier 
stop before creeping forward, as, for a cyclist, by slowing to a 
creeping speed he has adequately protected pedestrians by yielding to 
them  (which might require, as does any yield, a stop until the 
pedestrian traffic clears). Motorists have pretty well figured this 
out also, and do about the same as I recommend. Traffic engineers are 
pretty well agreed that America places too much reliance on STOP 
signs where YIELD signs would be appropriate. However, I recommend no 
advocacy for changing the law; just leave it alone and, if ever 
really prosecuted when doing a truly slow creep, just pay your fine.

John Forester, MS, PE
Bicycle Transportation Engineer
7585 Church St.
Lemon Grove, CA 91945-2306
619-644-5481 www.johnforester.com
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