Starting Today: The Idaho Stop Is Legal in Washington State

A law passed in March allowing people on bikes to treat stop signs as yield signs when conditions permit takes effect today in Washington State.

1 minute read

September 30, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


People on Bikes

Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock

People riding in bikes in Washington State can no legally treat stop signs as yield signs, reports Eilis O'Neill.

The Idaho Stop, as the move as popularly known because it's already legal in Washington's neighboring state. "People riding bikes will still have to slow down at stop signs, look around, and yield to any pedestrians and cars that have already reached the intersection," explains Eilis. "But, if there’s no one around, the bike can roll on through."

The law, SB 6208 was approved by the Washington State Legislature and signed by the governor in March, but it goes into effect today. Tom Fucoloro was providing in depth coverage as the law made its final rounds through the legislature.

O'Neill provides a summary of the controversy surrounding the legalization fo the common practice, and provides supporters of the new law a chance to explain the reasoning behind the law. The ability to treat stop signs as yield signs for people on bikes is already legal in Arkansas, Delaware, Oregon and Idaho, according to the article.

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