Ignoring that my country doesn’t allow Idaho Stops, or that my Provincial Government wants to actively kill cyclists by removing safe cycling infrastructure, I’ve always wondered if there’s a reason why cyclists aren’t allowed to simply ride through an intersection like the one in the photo.
I’m talking about the right side, where the bike lane could extend through the intersection without interfering with other vehicles, including those that are turning left.
This would not only keep those stops safer (clears the cyclist out of the intersection), but would just make sense from a transportation efficiency standpoint.
Is there something I’m missing, or do cyclists have to stop only because motorists would take a tantrum if they weren’t required to?
Anecdotally, and I can only speak for Toronto, but this may be a symptom of the local disability/blind advocates pushing this narrative.
We have a guy in Toronto who has been against pretty much any micromobility, saying that they kill the elderly, make it impossible for blind people to leave their home, and create chaos on the streets and sidewalks. When asked for evidence, he and his organization will ghost you.
Never once have I heard him say that cars are a problem.
He’s ALWAYS the guy that news stations put up as the disability advocate whenever topics around bikes, and e-mobility come up. It’s infuriating, and his organization is one of the reasons why Toronto bans e-scooters (even when their use means fewer cars).
Anyway, that’s my observation. LOL