Allowing bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs is proven to reduce crashes, and Maryland should adopt this policy.
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2023-HB1289-BicycleOperations-FAV
HB1289: Vehicle Laws - Bicycles - Operation at Intersections Environment and Transportation Committee Washington Area Bicyclist Association – FAVORABLE
March 10, 2023
Chair Barve and members of the Environment and Transportation Committee,
Roadway safety is a paramount transportation concern. HB1289 would make roadways safer for bicyclists. The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), an advocacy organization with 1,300 Maryland members, supports the bill.
Intersections are particularly dangerous for bicyclists. 54.5% of bicyclist injuries occur at intersections, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Bicyclists are at risk of being rear-ended when stationary, ‘right hooked’ by turning vehicles, or sideswiped by vehicles accelerating past them after a stop.
Stop-as-Yield under HB1289 would reduce these threats.
So far, eight states and the District of Columbia have adopted Stop-as-Yield, including Delaware, where reported crashes at intersections involving bicycles dropped 23% in the 30 months after the change. Maryland should join them.
Opponents say that road laws designed for cars should apply to bicyclists. In Maryland, they currently do. But there’s a difference between a bike and a car or truck. Bicyclists are far more vulnerable than drivers. Allowing a bicyclist to keep rolling lessens the time they are exposed in an intersection and, not incidentally, delaying traffic. Bicycling becomes faster and more convenient, which in turn will encourage ridership. Drivers – and our environment, since biking is green – will share the benefit.
Finally, Stop-as-Yield has racial-justice implications. Failure to stop is currently grounds for a traffic citation, and we recognize the gaping racial disparities in traffic enforcement, including here in Maryland. The stats I will cite are from other areas, however. A 2015 report revealed that 73% of Tampa bicycle stops involved Black bicyclists, in a city that is only 26% Black. In Seattle, Black bicyclists were cited for helmet infractions 4 times as often as White bicyclists, prompting backlash and repeal of the longstanding law. Stop-as-Yield – removing one potential pretext for police interaction – will mean safer and more welcoming streets for Maryland’s Black bicyclists.
HB1289
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association urges a Favorable HB1289 committee report and House of Delegates floor vote.
Seth Grimes, Maryland organizer Washington Area Bicyclist Association seth.grimes@waba.org