To: Des Moines City Council, The Iowa State House, The Iowa State Senate, and Governor Kim Reynolds
Adopt the Idaho Stop
We would like the state of Iowa to adopt the Idaho Stop Rule. Law allowing bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs.
Why is this important?
In order to make a commitment to cycling as a transportation option it is important to put this on the books. More than 30 years after Idaho passed its law, the evidence suggests that it is a safe and effective reform. In 2008, Jason Meggs contacted Idaho’s Office of Highway and Traffic Safety and analyzed statewide yearly summaries of traffic injuries and fatalities, including summaries by county and mode. His analysis found no evidence of a long-term increase in injury or fatality rates as a result of the adoption of the “Idaho stop” law. In 1983, the year after the law was adopted, bicycle injury rates declined by 14.5 percent and there was no change in the number of bicycle fatalities.
When bicyclists in Idaho approach a stop sign they:
1. Slow down, and if required for safety, stop.
2. Yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching, if the approaching vehicle will create a hazard while they cross the intersection.
3. Proceed after appropriately slowing and yielding without stopping.
When cyclists in Idaho approach a red light they:
1. Stop.
2. Yield to all other traffic.
3. Proceed through the red light with caution.
When bicyclists in Idaho approach a stop sign they:
1. Slow down, and if required for safety, stop.
2. Yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching, if the approaching vehicle will create a hazard while they cross the intersection.
3. Proceed after appropriately slowing and yielding without stopping.
When cyclists in Idaho approach a red light they:
1. Stop.
2. Yield to all other traffic.
3. Proceed through the red light with caution.