CALIFORNIA BICYCLE NEWS AND CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BLOG

More Support Comes Out for “Idaho Stop” Law

In Idaho for the past 35 years, cyclists have been allowed to treat stop signs like yield signs. After determining an intersection is safe, bicyclists are allowed to just roll through, preventing a loss of momentum or balance. Until recently, Idaho was the only state where this was allowed. Delaware recently passed a bill that would legalize the “Idaho stop” there, and the campaign is ramping up to make it legal in California as well. New Idaho Stop Bill A bipartisan bike bill (AB 1103) would do just that. And advocates hope that, since California is the nation’s most populous state and highly influential, that a change here could help other states adopt the practice. Several states have tried and failed to enact an Idaho stop law, despite a study by DePaul University showing that 96 percent of cyclists have, at some point, treated a stop sign like a yield….
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Would an E-Bike Be Right for Me?

For some people, an electric bicycle might be just what they need to get up and get active. For example, people with limited mobility could use E-bikes as a method of light exercise or just to get out and feel the wind in their hair. Depending on your lifestyle, an E-bike could be a useful tool to complement or even replace your traditional methods of transportation. Pros of E-bikes: While they may cost more than the standard bicycle, they are way cheaper (and better for the environment) than a gas-powered car. Hate traffic? Take a bike lane instead. E-bikes are an efficient way around congestion. They are as easy to park as a normal bike and fit comfortably in bike racks. No more driving for 30 minutes trying to find parking! They complement other forms of transit, like buses, that carry bicycles They encourage exercise and get you outdoors You…
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Is San Diego’s Bicycle Master Plan in Trouble?

The San Diego Bicycle Master Plan is one way the city hopes to get more people to consider biking as their main mode of transportation while also expanding access to the city’s extensive biking network. But the plan will cost $312 million by city estimates, and some are speaking out against spending that money to make biking more accessible. Why? According to census data, the most popular mode of commuting to work is driving alone, at 75 percent. Biking is the least popular, at 0.9 percent. Three times more people walk to their jobs than bike. Does this merit taking another look at spending and instead putting that money somewhere else? Or are there ways to ensure we get more bang for our buck with the Bicycle Master Plan? Suggestions to Fix the Plan One suggestion would be to identify factors that predispose commuters to bike, such as physical stamina…
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