OUTDOORS + RECREATION

Bike bill would allow Utah cyclists to treat stop signs like yield signs

Jan 28, 2021, 9:03 AM

UTAH CYCLISTS...

FILE -- Riders compete in Stage 4 of the Tour of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Utah cyclists may soon be able to treat stop signs like yield signs if a new bill is passed by the state Legislature.

Utah cyclists may soon yield, instead of stop

The bill would allow cyclists to roll through stop signs if there is no danger to themselves or others in the intersection that have the right of way. The piece of legislation is being sponsored by Representative Carol Spackman Moss, who has brought forward a similar bill in the past.

Moss has the support of “Bike Utah” and their executive director Crys Lee, who recently spoke to the House Transportation Committee.

In that meeting, Lee cited the Utah Department of Public Safety’s 2019 crash data, which shows that 50% of bicycle and automobile crashes occurred when the car was turning right or left at an intersection. According to Lee, over the past 10 years, people on bikes were 30 times more likely to be involved in a crash at a stop sign than a yield sign.

“While many here may be concerned that invoking this vote would decrease cyclist safety, studies do support that it actually will improve bicycle safety,” says Lee.

Moving onto the full House

Speaking to the committee, Moss says the bill simply aims to legalize what most cyclists do anyway.

“It’s often dangerous, particularly if it’s on any kind of an incline because to get that momentum going again, it takes a lot of energy and then you see them kind of wobbling sometimes,” she explains.

Not everyone is on board though, including Representative Merrill Nelson.

“It seems to me like one of your reasons for the exception here is that, if the intersection is clear… why not just let them glide through? Why couldn’t we apply that same exception to vehicles?”

In the end, the bill was recommended 8-3 for consideration by the full House.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Outdoors + Recreation

A red and black Jeep climbs up the sandy orange rocks of Moab, Utah during a Jeep safari....

Mariah Maynes

As Jeep event begins in Moab, police provide reminders to drivers

Moab police want Easter Jeep Safari participants to remember rules about speed limits, vehicle lighting, and stop signs,

2 days ago

River Barry received the Carnegie Medal of Heroism for saving a base jumper's life....

Tammy Kikuchi

Salt Lake therapist awarded Carnegie Medal of Heroism

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awarded their Carnegie Medal of Heroism to a Salt Lake City therapist, after a day of mountain biking turned into rock climbing to save a life.

3 days ago

Boy tries out his new eclipse glasses he just bought from Clark Planetarium in preparation for the ...

Heather Peterson

Want to see the solar eclipse? Go to Dallas

Michael Zeiler, an eclipse cartographer said the closest part of the eclipse's path to us is Dallas. 

4 days ago

Attendees climb at the grand opening of an outdoor climbing wall outside of Millcreek City Hall on ...

Collin Leonard, KSL.com

Olympian and hopefuls break in Utah’s biggest outdoor climbing wall at Millcreek City Hall

The Millcreek City Hall opened a brand new climbing wall on Saturday. It's the tallest outdoor wall in Utah.

4 days ago

Deer Valley and other ski resorts in Utah have extended their closing dates....

Britt Johnson

Utah ski resorts extend closing dates

Several Utah ski resorts aren't closing as soon as they thought. Several announced extended seasons thanks to an extra snowy February.

6 days ago

maple syrup buckets on trees, local maple syrup in utah is difficult to get...

Mitchell von Puttkammer

Project aims to make local maple syrup more available

Can you buy local maple syrup? You can, but it's not easy. Utah State University is trying to change that with the Maple Tree Tapping Project.

7 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Bike bill would allow Utah cyclists to treat stop signs like yield signs