Idaho is not known as a bastion of liberalism, but in one area the state has even Boulder beat. Stop signs and bicycles. Idaho Statute 49-720 states that bicycles may treat all stop signs as yield signs and all red lights as stop signs. If you don't believe me here it is:
49-720. STOPPING -- TURN AND STOP SIGNALS.
(1) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and,if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.
(2) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a steady red traffic control light shall stop before entering the intersection and shall yield to all other traffic. Once the person has yielded, he may proceed through the steady red light with caution. Provided however, that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn. A left-hand turn onto a one-way highway may be made on a red light after stopping and yielding to other traffic.
(3) A person riding a bicycle shall comply with the provisions of section49-643, Idaho Code.
(4) A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the bicycle before turning, provided that a signal by hand and arm need not be given if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.
This is brilliant. Just last week, when out on a 40 mile road ride, I would have benefited from this law. Jean-Paul and I were riding north on 79th street where it intersects with Mineral Road. The traffic light is at the bottom of a steep hill. There was no traffic and I considered running the light until I saw a Boulder County Sheriff hiding in the trees on the far shoulder. We both braked hard to make the stop then had to wait for a car to show up before the light changed. The Sheriff watched us the entire time, waiting to see if we would be so brazen as to run the light directly in front of him. A 1/4 mile down the road there are a string of stop signs that were torture to come to a complete stop at, one by one. If there is no traffic or pedestrians I pretty much treat all stop signs as yield signs anyway, but with this law I could do it legally. With all the Cyclists in this state I can't believe we don't have a law like this. Colorado needs to get it's act together and fall in line with those liberal Idahoans.
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