The 'Idaho Stop' Is About To Go Into Effect In MN

ST. PAUL, MN — A law allowing Minnesota bicyclists to treat a stop sign as a yield sign, and a red traffic light as a stop sign, is about to go into effect.

Minnesota is the latest state to legalize what is commonly referred to as the "Idaho stop."

Advocates of the change say the law speeds up traffic and reduces bicycle crash rates. Bikers are allowed to maintain more of their momentum when there are no other cars at a four-way stop and are thus incentivized to ride on back roads.

Idaho legalized the practice in 1982, and there was a 14.5 percent drop in the bicycle injury rate in Idaho the year after the law it adopted, according to a 2010 review and study.

Read the full text of Minnesota's new bicycle regulations below:

Stopping requirements:

(b) A bicycle operator who approaches a stop sign must slow to a speed that allows for stopping before entering the intersection or the nearest crosswalk. Notwithstanding subdivision 1 and section 169.06, subdivision 4, if there is not a vehicle in the vicinity, the operator may make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.

(c) A bicycle operator who approaches a traffic-control signal with a steady red indication,including a circular red signal or red arrow signal, must slow to a speed that allows forstopping before entering the intersection or the nearest crosswalk. Notwithstandingsubdivision 1 and section 169.06, subdivision 5, if there is not a vehicle in the vicinity, theoperator:

(1) may make a right-hand turn, or a left-hand turn onto a one-way roadway, withoutstopping; and

(2) must otherwise perform a complete stop and then may make a turn or proceed throughthe intersection before the traffic-control signal indication changes to green.

(d) Nothing in this subdivision alters the right-of-way requirements under section 169.20.The provisions under this subdivision do not apply when traffic is controlled by a peaceofficer or a person authorized to control traffic under section 169.06.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.