Debating the Idaho Stop in the Nation's Capital

Rhetoric from both sides of the issue is on display as Washington, D.C. considers a new law allowing bike riders to treat stop signs as yield signs.

1 minute read

December 10, 2015, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Abigail Zenner reports on a hearing of the DC Council Transportation Committee, debating a proposal by DC Councilmember Mary Cheh to legalize the so-called Idaho Stop—a rule that allows cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs.

Zenner is obviously a proponent of the law, listing reasons why the Idaho Stop is helpful to cyclists. The hearing, however, provoked opposition from police officers and representatives from the insurance industry, who argues that Idaho Stop would lead to confusion on the streets.

The article includes more of the arguments delivered during the debate, including responses shared via Twitter.

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