Vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes bicyclists to treat stop signs as if they were yield signs.

Highlights:

• Requires a person riding a bicycle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to yield the right-of-way to any vehicles that have entered the intersection, or that are approaching on the intersecting highway close enough to constitute an immediate hazard, and to continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until it is reasonably safe to proceed (Sec. 1.d).

• Authorizes a person riding a bicycle to enter the intersection. The driver of any other approaching vehicle will yield the right-of-way to that bicycle while it is within the intersection (Sec. 1.e).

• Requires the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to submit a report to the Legislature, on or before January 1, 2027, about the effects of bicycles operating under this law. The report will include, without limitation, information about statewide injury and fatal traffic crash data and any associated traffic-related safety issues (Sec. 1.f).

• Requires the driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection to stop at a limit line, if marked, otherwise before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no limit line or crosswalk, the driver shall stop at the entrance to the intersecting roadway (Sec. 2.a).

• Requires the driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at a railroad grade crossing to stop at a limit line, if marked, otherwise before crossing the first track or entrance to the railroad grade crossing (Sec. 2.b).

• Authorizes a local authority to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution providing for the placement of a stop sign at any location on a highway under its jurisdiction where the stop sign would enhance traffic safety (Sec. 2.c).

Full Bill Text