Oregon Legislature Narrowly Passes "Idaho Stop" Law

Oregon’s House of Representative’s recently passed Senate Bill 998 (by a vote of 31 to 28), which is Oregon’s version of the “Idaho Stop” law. The last step for the Bill to become law is a signature from Governor Kate Brown. Once the law is in place, cyclists will be able to treat stop signs and flashing red lights as “yield” signs. In other words, cyclists will no longer have to make a complete stop at intersections controlled by specific traffic devices (stop signs and flashing red lights), so long as they proceed through the intersection at a safe speed. The law still makes it clear that the cyclist must yield the right of way to traffic lawfully within the intersection and to pedestrians in an intersection or crosswalk.

I support this Bill because it addresses the reality of cyclists needing to start and stop under their own power. As long as cyclists enter the intersection at a safe speed and yield the right of way to pedestrians and motorists lawfully within the intersection, it should be a safer and smoother ride for everyone on the road.

For more information on Oregon’s Senate Bill 998, you can visit BikePortland.org.