Why more US states are adopting bicycle-friendly regulations for red light stops

According to Bicycle Colorado, a bicycle advocacy organisation that campaigned for the new law, nearly three-quarters of bicycle-car crashes occur at intersections. Photo: AFP

The state of Colorado in the United States recently approved a bill allowing cyclists to run red lights. The idea is that they should stop, like everyone else, at a red light, but can then set off again as soon as they have given way to any vehicles and pedestrians present – even if the light is still red.

This law is intended to cut the risk of collisions by reducing the number of interactions between motorists and cyclists at intersections.

This new legislation has actually already been implemented in certain cities in the state, where cyclists can now treat stop signs as if they were yield signs, and red lights as if they were stop signs.

This means that they must slow down, stop and yield to any vehicle or pedestrian at the intersection, but that they can then proceed if the intersection is clear, even if the light has not yet changed.

According to Bicycle Colorado, a bicycle advocacy organisation that campaigned for the new law, nearly three-quarters of bicycle-car crashes occur at intersections. In fact, reducing the number of potential interactions between motorists and cyclists at intersections should reduce the risk of collisions. It could also be a time-saver for those who choose to cycle.

Colorado is following a trend set by Idaho, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It should also be noted that this law does not only apply to cyclists, but also to all soft mobility transportation, such as electric kick scooters and skateboards.

In some other global cities, like Paris, cyclists can also go through red lights, but only under certain conditions. This only applies to 30km/h zones and to traffic lights with appropriate signage (triangular signs or flashing lights with an arrow and a bicycle). – AFP Relaxnews