Red Light Green Light

A few days ago I randomly stumbled on a youtube video which I thought was funny and quite informative about bicycle safety.

The video was created by Sean Kennedy as a PSA for bicycle safety in NYC.

The PSA was created to create awareness to cyclists in NYC. The message they wanted to communicate was that stop means stop. In previous years, there was a large rise in the number of bicycle accidents in Manhattan from cyclists who ran or rolled through stop lights. I am almost certain that the bike messengers in this next video can show you why!

The video was created by Lucas Brunelle circa 2004

Well you either learned that traffic in Manhattan is horrendous or that bike messengers are stone cold crazy! I’ve done both and can tell you there both insane! But  now you know why cyclists can have such a bad rap in a community.

Granted the two videos, I believe, show the two extremes of what to do at a traffic signal or stop sign. Obviously a red light or stop sign should require a cyclist to at least slow down if not to come to a complete stop. Blowing through a red light as the bike messenger video is reckless and just asking for an emergency room visit. But by exerting extreme caution cyclists should have the right to yield when approaching a traffic signal or a stop sign.

Reasons behind having cyclists having to yield to right of way traffic is that cyclists rely solely on pedal power. It takes a lot of exertion in order to propel a bicycle from stop to traveling speed. By requiring cyclists to yield, they are able to still maintain motion thus do not have to exert as much energy to regain travel speed. Unlike a vehicle where the person driving is not exerting any force besides pushing the gas pedal.

There are several states looking into the Idaho Stop Law. The Idaho Stop is when a cyclist is permitted to yield at stop signs instead of having to come to a complete stop. The law has been on the books in Idaho since 1982 and has worked quite successfully since. States currently considering the law are Oregon, California, Montana, Arizona and Virginia.

Some more information on the Idaho Bike Law can be found here.

Although cyclists would be able to yield through a stop sign, cyclists would be required to make a complete stop at a red light and wait for a green light to signal.

I believe that the Idaho Yield Law is a great start to allow cyclists an easier commute/ride when riding on the roads. However, I do believe that cyclists should be able to yield or proceed through a stop light after stopping. Light signals can be tricky for cyclists because they are not large or sensitive enough to trip censors to signal the light for a green light. This usually causes come frustration between cyclists and causes them to blow through traffic signals with little regard to cross traffic.

I think that a law should allow cyclists to cross a signalized light upon a complete stop in the same way cars can make a right turn on a red signal. This would help cyclists get to where they are going more conveniently. By writing a law into effect, this will reduce the cost of having to retrofit traffic signals to be compatible for cyclists and will allow cyclists to make the proper judgement of whether to yield through an intersection or to come to a complete stop.

And of course, if you are not comfortable yielding to stop signs and traffic lights, you always have the option to come to a complete stop.

Remember Safety is ALWAYS important! But by allowing cyclists these “right-of-ways” can make the system much more efficient.

Also, unless you are in Idaho, these laws are not on the books. Bicycles are treated in most states as a motor vehicle by law. So make sure you “stop” at stop signs and “stop and wait” at traffic signals. For now!

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