14 January 2009 Archives

Idaho Stop Law – FAQ

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The Frequently Asked Questions below were developed by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) as supporting material for their Idaho Stop Law proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What would this law do?
This law would make it legal for bicyclists to treat stop signs like yield signs. A cyclist approaching an intersection controlled by a stop sign, would be permitted to roll through the stop sign after yielding the right of way if there are other vehicles at the intersection.

Would cars have to stop and wait for bicyclists?
No, this law change would allow a cyclist to slowly approach the intersection and proceed only if the intersection was clear and it was safe to continue. The law does not grant a cyclist permission to take the right of way from another vehicle.

The BTA hopes to make
it legal to roll through
stop signs.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), a Portland-based non-profit with over 5,000 members statewide, has proposed a new law that would make it legal to roll through a stop sign while riding a bicycle in Oregon.

In an interview this afternoon, BTA lobbyist Karl Rohde said the bill language is currently being drafted in Salem and it will be officially known as the “Idaho Stop Law”.

“We feel the law needs to change to reflect the safe behavior that’s happening now,” said Rohde, “Coming to a complete stop isn’t necessary for a vehicle (bicycle) that does not pose the same threat to other road users and whose operators have a greater awareness of their surroundings.”

Some Portlanders continued to ride bikes
during the storm.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Mayor’s office has launched a survey to help gather feedback about how they responded to the major storm we had at the end of 2008 (take it online here).

The survey is part of a “snow and ice readiness assessment” that the Mayor’s office has undertaken. It’s obvious the City (and TriMet) was caught off-guard with the storm. After acknowledging the “tireless work” of city employees and citizens, in the introduction to the survey, the Mayor’s office says, “we would like to do better next time”.

Design drawing of Gibbs Street bike and pedestrian bridge, which has been fast-tracked by Mayor Adams to help Portland’s economy.

Yesterday, the City of Portland announced a $503 million economic stimulus plan. Within that plan, is $52 million in Bureau of Transportation projects — several of which include bike-related facilities.

Here is a brief summary of the four projects that will begin in the next 12 months (compared to beginning possibly up to three years from now on standard timelines).

Roger Mallette of Retro Image Apparel is wasting no time establishing his business in Portland. Mallette, who just moved his headquarters to Southeast Portland in December, inked a deal yesterday to design and sell a Lucky Labrador Brewing Company bike jersey.

The jersey is the first in what Mallette hopes will be a large line of microbrew-themed jerseys. He’s created a subsidiary company, Microbrew Jerseys, that will be spun off from his well-known Retro Image Apparel brand.

Mallette stopped by BikePortland HQ yesterday to give us the first peek at his design for the new Lucky Lab jersey. Here’s the back of the men’s version:

15 miles of Portland streets will
get calmer, safer, and more
enjoyable for bikes in the
coming months.
(Photo © J. Maus)

At a subcommittee meeting before the monthly Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting in City Hall last night, the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Program Manager Mark Lear and Traffic Safety Specialist Greg Raisman outlined details on the bike boulevard portion of Mayor Adams’ “First 100 Day Action Plan”.

In that list, Mayor Adams promised to,

Idaho Stop Law – FAQ

Exclusive: BTA will go for “Idaho style” stop sign law

City wants feedback on winter storm response

Bike/ped bridge, cycletrack projects will be fast-tracked in City stimulus plan

Local apparel company inks deal to sell Lucky Lab jersey

A closer look at bike boulevards in Mayor’s “First 100 Days” list

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