The Idaho Stop for Pedal and eBikes

CalBike is sponsoring AB-122 the Idaho Stop for California. Several western states have already adopted the rolling stop or safety stop:

Idaho: 1982 (first state to pass the law; allows treating stop signs as yields and proceeding through red lights after stopping and yielding)
Oregon: 2019 (stop signs and flashing red signals as yields)
Washington: 2020 (stop signs as yields)
Utah: (enacted similar legislation allowing stop signs as yields)
Colorado: (statewide standard/municipal options enacted)
New Mexico: (enacted safety yield legislation)
District of Columbia: (enacted safety yield legislation) 

Also known as the rolling stop, the safety stop, the Euro stop, the new legislation allows cyclists to roll through a stop sign when the intersection is not occupied by other vehicles. The specific text in the California Vehicle Code will change as follows in blue:

Section 22450.

 

(a) The driver of any vehicle vehicle, except a bicycle or electric bicycle, approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop at a limit line, if marked, otherwise before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection.

(c) A person riding a bicycle, including an electric bicycle, approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicles that have stopped at the entrance of the intersection, have entered the intersection, or that are approaching on the intersecting highway close enough to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until reasonably safe to proceed.

The change in law is welcome in Laguna Beach where forcing a bike rider to stop or dismount on hilly intersections is difficult even dangerous for riders with clip-in pedals. 

For more information follow the links: 

California Vehicle Code Text 

CalBike website and background 

 Latest Bill history at Leginfo

UPDATE: (010-31-26) The bill passed the Assembly (9-01-21) and remains before the California Governor for signature.

 UPDATE: (7-15-21) The bill is called back for second reading. The bill stands a good chance of passing. Amended in March the bill was reread and voted April 14 2021 Ayes:12 Noes:3.  Presently the bill is ordered to a third reading.

-LS