[SDCBC] Fwd: MTC to study Idaho "stop-and-roll" law

[JonIsaacs at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/20/2008 7:43:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
j.eldon at sbcglobal.net writes:


I am  much more concerned about the "slippery slope" in the other direction, 
such as  a "foot on the ground" definition of a stop for a bicyclist -- I 
would  consider this definition completely unacceptable selective enforcement. 
I am not concerned about the "foot on the ground" definition because as has  
been explained, the law does not support it and further, if it were the law, I 
 would not have a problem complying with it, I am already stopped and putting 
a  foot down, while not my favorite pass time is just not that big a deal.  
 
What concerns me is that many cyclists seem to believe that slowing for a  
stop sign is optional, that running the sign at speed is a reasonable  choice.  
If cyclists (and other vehicle operators) who run stop signs at  say greater 
than a crawl were given tickets on a regular basis, then I  might be concerned 
about the slippery slope as you are.
 
But until cyclists as a group show that they are capable of stopping or  
slowing to a crawl, I say that we have already slipped way too far.  One  only has 
to ride up to a 4 way stop where another vehicle has the right of way  and 
watch the confusion that a bicycle honoring the rules of the road can  cause.  
As far as I can determine, most motorists expect cyclists to run  stop signs.  
 
I often unclip and put my foot down at an intersection as a way to tell a  
motorist that I am stopped and I will not be going until they do.  
 
Jon
 
 



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