[SDCBC] yield, stop, or service

[Serge Issakov]

I think Mr. Forester's advice below (which is also in his book, and
would probably make for a good short safety article in Chainguard)
really combines well with what Jon Isaacs wrote earlier:

"Safety is about habits and expectations."

The common denominator is that your behavior should not be about
following the rule for the sake of the rule.  Your behavior should
reflect an understanding of the underlying principles and purposes of
the rules, which, in the case of stop signs, John explains with better
clarity than I've ever seen anyone else do.

Develop your habits and expectations accordingly.  So, the habit with
stop signs should be to slow down, check for peds (stopping if
necessary), then, when clear, creep forward making sure there is no
vehicular traffic to yield to (stopping if necessary), then, when
clear, proceed.

At least that's my take on it.

Serge


On 6/27/07, John Forester <forester at johnforester.com> wrote:
>
>  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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