Bill Introduced to Implement "Idaho Stop Law" for Tennessee Cyclists

[Carey Rogers]

House Bill 1470 was introduced by Representative John Ragan of Oak Ridge. It is co-sponsored by Senator Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro. HB 1470 – SB 1758 would, in essence, allow cyclists to treat stop signs and red lights as yield signs. Idaho is the only state with a similar law. A cyclist can run a red light in Tennessee if the traffic sensor does not detect the bicycle and there is no crossing traffic.

 

The bill can be found here:

http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1470

 

It will be heard in the House Transportation Sub-Committee Wednesday, February 12 at 1:30 pm.

http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Calendar/CalendarOrders.aspx?CalendarID=898

 

The members of the sub-committee can be found here:

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/committees/sub-transportation.html

 

You can find your legislator here.

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/

 

The League of American Bicyclists explanation of the Idaho Law is here:

http://www.bikeleague.org/content/bike-law-university-idaho-stop

 

This same information is on the Bike Walk Tennessee Blog.

 

If you would like more information feel free to contact me. 

Carey Rogers

 

 

Here is the official abstract of HB 1470 – SB 1758.

This bill authorizes an individual who is riding a bicycle or human-powered vehicle to pass through or turn right at a stop sign or red light without stopping. To do so, an individual approaching the stop sign or red light must:

(1) Slow to a reasonable speed or stop, if necessary, so as to be able to assess adequately safety; and

(2) Yield to all other traffic and crossing pedestrians legally in the intersection.

 

After completing those steps the individual may proceed with caution through the intersection. The same requirements will apply if the individual is attempting to turn left onto a one-way street in the intended direction.

 

Present law defines "bicycle" as a human-powered vehicle with two wheels in tandem designed to transport, by the action of pedaling, one or more persons seated on one or more saddle seats on its frame and also includes a human-powered vehicle designed to transport by pedaling that has more than two wheels where the vehicle is used on a public highway or street, public bicycle path or other public right-of-way, but does not include a tricycle. This bill specifies that "human-powered vehicle" is one not normally capable of mounted, static stability without human intervention and does not include any motorized vehicle, regardless of the energy source.