Free Safety Signs

do bicycles need to stop at stop signs?

Iam not sure if bikes must come to a complete stop at a stop sign for safety reasons. I know that they have to obey rules of the road just like motorists do.

Public Comments

1. they dont need to but you should because its safe.
2. if you would rather not get hit by a car. then yes but if you have a death wish then go righ ahead.
3. Stopping at the stop sign is one of the rules of the road. Yes, it is the law that a bicycle stops at a stop sign.
4. yes bikes need to stop just like a motorist. where i live in chicago the rules apply that a bicyclist is considered a motorist and must obey the laws or risk gettin a ticket (yes a ticket). so just play it safe act like a motorist and maybe we will get the respect bicyclist need. dont polute save money get excersise have fun
5. Yes, a bicycle is a type of vehicle and must obey all vehicle code laws that are applicable to them (this includes obeying all posted traffic signs).
6. Of course they do.
7. Yes, you use the same rules as a car does.
8. Yes, Bicycles are required to follow the same rules as cars.
9. Bicycles and anything that uses the road MUST obey the rules of the road. Be safe.
10. Yes, they need to stop at stop signs.
11. Bikes are required to follow the normal road rules, same as cars. Failing to stop can get you a ticket, or if you cause a crash you will be at fault.
12. Here are some of the errors that bike riders frequently commit which greatly increase the chances of a collision with a motor vehicle: 1. They do not follow the traffic laws for vehicles when operating a bicycle. Instead, a) they may use the traffic laws for pedestrians and thus ride on the sidewalks or the wrong way on the streets, b) they may follow the traffic code for vehicles part of the time but not all of the time, c) they may adopt a policy of hiding from motor vehicles rather than riding in the traffic lanes, d) they may be guerilla cyclists deliberately breaking the law, e) or they just might not think about how they are behaving. 2. They don't have lights mounted on their bikes when riding at night. 3. They ride along in the gutter or weave in and out between cars. 4. They don't pay attention to nearby vehicles. 5. They haven't learned how to control their bicycles effectively. 6. They panic when motor vehicles approach. 7. They don't keep the bike in sound mechanical condition. 8. They ride when too tired (or even drunk) to do so safely.
13. Yes they should stop like all motorists on the road.
14. They have to obey all traffic laws as cars when in the street.
15. You have answered your own question: "I know that they have to obey rules of the road just like motorists do". Can't get a clearer answer than that. Unless you only want one word. In that case, yes.
16. Stop means stop - no exceptions. The only time you don't have to stop is if the sign is 'give way'
17. Yes bikes should come to a complete stop just like all the motorists have to. Obeying the same rules is a must.
18. You answered your own question. In most states, bicyles are considered vehicles and must follow the same rules of the road as motor vehicles. That includes coming to a complete stop at stop signs and red traffic lights.
19. yes they need to because safety rules are made for everyone
20. ya and they need to stop runnin people over on the sidewalk ,my friend got a gash on the back of his leg when the pedal from a bike speeding by to close,its just too tempting to save that kinetic energy when your legs are doing the work
21. you have just answered your own question,the same rules apply,so yes he should stop at a stop sign or give way at a give way sign.not that the police are going to be there to enforce it,they are too busy catching people with their camera's
22. Yes. bicycles MUST stop at stop signs
23. I don't know about biker rules that much. To be on the safe side though, I think a biker should at least slow down at a stop sign if not going to stop. Come to think of it, yea they should slow down and not stop at a stop sign. Think about it, a car can come from behind slowly and they might not hear it. Well if the car is right behind and the biker makes a sudden stop while going really fast, it is likely the car could crash the biker from behind and kill him or her. By slowing down gradually, the biker is ensuring any car from behind will be ready to slow down and the biker will be ready to avoid getting hit by a car coming up on its side if there is one.