jon c. 

I live in a rural area and cops don't care about a little rolling as long as right of way is observed. In the city, one might get ticketed around the university campus where there is more bad bicycle behavior and thus more enforcement. Otherwise, cops don't care as long as you're not doing anything that isn't safe. And I don't get the sense drivers care either. Drivers would care if I went through a sign when they had the row, but as long as row is obeyed everyone gets through the intersection faster if I keep rolling at least a bit. I would only be a few seconds slower if I come to an absolute stop, but those seconds have a psychological impact. In my experience, the vast majority of drivers have nothing against cyclists and only get annoyed if needlessly delayed.

I-Like-To-Bike

I'll let you know if/when it occurs; haven't had a stop sign pull over yet despite rolling them for over 65 years of cycling.

Claude?? Is that some sort of code or just the same old, same old snarky gibberish?

JoeyBike

I have posted similar forever here. The pretty lights aren't what kills people, unless the light pole falls on us. For every red light runner in a car causing an accident, there was a green light runner who didn't LOOK for the actual source of the danger. Good post.

The part of living in New Orleans and using the roads here is that locals all do the same "unsafe" things, so we all KNOW the deal. Every cyclist runs stop signs, so every motorist ASSUMES this and grant "right of way". It makes sense at a 4-way stop because the bike proceeds without stop, and the car does not have to wait for the bike to stop before they roll the stop sign. Everybody wins. At traffic signals, it is well know among locals that 1 to 3 cars are going through after the light turns red. Launching your car or bike into the cross street like a AA Fuel dragster the instant your light turns green will get you killed Day-1.

I know ^^this behavior would drive most people crazy. We don't care, the cops don't care. It's a beautiful thing.

Gresp15C

In my view, talking about speeding is a better way of getting through to car drivers. Most car drivers probably think that they obey stop signs, so they won't believe it if they're told otherwise, or they'll write it off as a rare occurrence. On the other hand, speeding is undeniable, practically everybody does it, and they believe it's perfectly safe.

Now talk about enforcement. The threshold for enforcing the speed limit is higher than the speed limit itself. People don't regularly get tickets for speeding. Why should stop signs be any different for cyclists?

Both are matters of convenience. Drivers speed because they can. Cyclists roll stop signs because they can. They would break the speed limit if they could.

JoeyBike

KraneXL

reishi

Pretty much every driver I've ever approached at a 4 way stop seems to assume I'm going to ride right through without even slowing down or stopping for other drivers. Here Is where I like to proudly display my vehicular cycling skills and unclip. Stop. And give them the stare.. I understand they're usually just trying to be polite but their politeness could cause delays.. Misunderstandings and even my death. Sometimes I get annoyed by drivers who like to wave cyclists through anytime.. anywhere.. Just treat me like I'm in a car please that's all I ask. Keeps it safe and predictable.

Another good technique to avoid the 4 way stop standoffs is to slow way way down before I approach the stop - this let's all drivers approaching the stop sign to stop and go before I'm even close to rolling up to the stop. Keeps me back and out of their preoccupied overstimulated mind. I just want to make things as simple and straightforward as possible for drivers. They have enough to contend with on the road than adding on the stress of trying to guess what a crazy road cycling is going to do.

KraneXL

They think they're being polite but all is really does is create confusion. Always follow the law. No assumptions necessary.I dismount. That's a pretty reliable symbol that I intend to come to a complete stop.

Maelochs

I have used that exact line. That has me worried. If there is Any question about who should go, I dismount. Butt off the seat, both feet flat—of course, I realize that none of the drivers might actually be paying attention but if they are it is pretty unmistakable as to meaning.
Normally I slow in advance to let the car get o the stop line first—I’d rather have a car in front of me than behind me or turning into me. If that doesn’t work, I’d rather dismount, wait, and clip back in than get hit halfway through an intersection.

JoeyBike

I use this technique, always with the default is ME stopping. Either: 1. I STOP PEDALING, and wave the car through. or 1. I STAND UP on the pedals, and go of i have the right of way, they are obviously stopping, or waving me through.

Stop pedaling/wave them through means I am stopping. Standing up on the pedals is a clear indication to ANYONE on Earth that I am going. It has worked for 50+ years without a hitch.