Avalos urges fewer bike-stop citations

Perhaps only in San Francisco does a purported crackdown on bicyclists who fail to stop at stop signs and traffic signals result in a mass outcry — and now legislation.

On Wednesday, Supervisor John Avalos said he would introduce a measure that would make citations for such offenses the lowest priority of law enforcement.

“Nobody condones unsafe behavior by cyclists, but common sense enforcement of the law will make our streets safer and more predictable,” he stated in a release.

The proposed law would not, however, discourage officers from citing bicyclists who don’t slow down at stop signs.

The brouhaha started when Park Station Capt.

John Sanford said he would enforce stopping violations by bicyclists along the popular Wiggle route between Market Street and the Panhandle. Scores of bike riders participated in “stop-in” protest, during which they dutifully stopped at every sign and signal, backing up traffic in some locations.

And an online petition urging San Francisco police to stop a purported crackdown on bicyclists for failing to stop has gathered more than 15,000 signatures on the Care2 website.

During a two-day enforcement operation, officers issued 204 citations. Sanford has said there is no plan for a similar operation in the future.

Avalos said bicyclists should follow the “‘golden rule,’ and treat others like we want to be treated.”