No way to roll
San Francisco encourages bike riding, and the growing numbers of cyclists on the streets are the right result. But there can’t be safety and wider acceptance without common-sense rules such as halting at stop signs.
Mayor Ed Lee is about to cross swords with six supervisors over his opposition to a proposal that in effect allows bike riders to slide through intersections and not stop. The practice, dubbed the “Idaho stop,” is a recipe for trouble, injury and more car-versus-bike unrest.
The plan urges a low priority on ticketing stop-sign runners. It’s already at the bottom of law enforcement’s list, but riders should still be on notice that stopping at marked intersections is the law, not an advisory that can be dismissed.
The proposal sprang from a misguided police crackdown on stop-sign violations in one busy commute spot known as the Wiggle because of its twisting course along two-lane streets dotted with red signs. The incident infuriated bike riders, and the cops have pulled back.
San Francisco has plowed millions into bike lanes, rentals, and official encouragement for cyclists. Bike riders are also a rising political voice, pushing lawmakers to protect their interests.
But in this case, road safety and established law make for a stronger case than the inconvenience of putting a foot down and stopping at a red sign. The Idaho stop doesn’t belong in San Francisco.