Networks of small streets with mostly all-way stop or stop-on-minor intersections are often easy to convert into quality bikeways. However, stop signs along a bike route also increase physical effort and travel time for people on bikes. Remove stop-control from the bikeway to enable a more continuous flow of bike travel by:
- Converting an intersection from all-way stop control to two-way stop control.
- Rotating the stop signs to face cross traffic instead of bikeway traffic at two-way stops.
- Where appropriate, converting two-way stop control on the bikeway to yield-control.
- Installing mini-roundabouts or neighborhood traffic circles. (See Roundabouts and Circular Intersections.)
Motor vehicle speed and volume management measures should be used in coordination with these strategies in order to maintain a safe, comfortable intersection for all users.
Prohibit on-street parking 20-50 ft (6-15 m) from the corner on all intersection approaches to improve visibility.
Where the stopped street crosses the bikeway, a CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP (MUTCD W4-4P) plaque should be used in combination with a STOP (MUTCD R1-1) sign to clarify driver expectations.
Where it is not practical to eliminate stop control on the bikeway, consider all-way stop control to provide safe gaps for people using the bikeway to cross the intersection. Consider a raised intersection where all-way stop control is used.
Adopting a local stop-as-yield ordinance is a scalable strategy to achieve the same goal.
Stop-as-Yield Laws
At least eight states1 2 have adopted a “Bike Safety Stop,” “Oregon Stop,” “Idaho Stop,” or “Yield on Stop” law, allowing bicyclists to proceed through a stop sign without coming to a complete stop after yielding to crossing pedestrians and cross traffic. These laws improve safety by improving predictability and reducing the difference between bike and vehicle speeds at stop-controlled intersections. They also simplify intersection operations and bike boulevard implementation along streets with all-way stops.
- “Based upon the current research and data available, these laws showed added safety benefits for bicyclists in States where they were evaluated, and may positively affect the environment, traffic, and transportation.”
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Bicyclist ‘Stop-As-Yield’ Laws and Safety Fact Sheet.” USDOT, 2023. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2023-03/Bicyclist-Yield-As-Stop-Fact-Sheet_032123_v5_tag.pdf. ↩︎ - Bike Delaware. “Delaware Yield Crash Data.” https://www.bikede.org/delaware-yield-crash-data/#page-content. ↩︎
This online-only content is not included in the Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Third Edition, published by Island Press