The Idaho Stop Now Legal in Arkansas

The state of Arkansas is now the second station in the nation to completely legalize the Idaho Stop—a frequently practiced maneuver on bikes that advocates say is a key to bike safety and comfort on the streets.

1 minute read

April 5, 2019, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


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Alexandru Nika / Shutterstock

"Arkansas became the second state in the nation to legalize the Idaho Stop on Monday, the biggest breakthrough yet for the iconic 35-year-old bike safety law," report Angie Schmitt.

"The Idaho Stop — named for the first state that allowed it — gives cyclists the right to treat stop signs as 'yields' and red lights as stop signs. Arkansas state lawmakers hope the new law will offer both health and business benefits," adds Schmidt.

Idaho first passed the legislation in 1982, and recorded safety benefits compared to other states ever since. Other states have passed partial versions of the law, or efforts to legalize the Idaho Stop have failed at various points in the legislative process, according to Schmitt.

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