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Committee considers "Idaho stop" bill to let bicyclists treat stops as yields
Summary
Assembly Bill 168 would allow bicyclists in Nevada to treat stop signs as yield signs and red signals as stop signs under specified conditions; sponsors and multiple transportation and safety groups told the Senate committee the change reduces time bicyclists spend in intersections and has reduced injuries in other states.
Assemblymember Heather Goulding presented AB 168 to the Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure, proposing that bicyclists be allowed, under specific safe conditions, to treat stop signs as yield signs and certain red lights as stop signs (commonly called the "Idaho stop"). Brandon Hess, a legislative intern who presented technical details, said the bill’s aim is to reduce bicyclist exposure at intersections and keep cyclists moving safely through empty intersections.
Why it matters: presenters cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) findings and academic studies from states that implemented similar laws, describing reductions in bicycle injuries at intersections in jurisdictions that have evaluated the policy. Supporters from the Sierra Club, the Nevada Bicycle Coalition and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada told the committee the law would promote safety, multimodal transportation and potentially increase bicycling ridership.
Key provisions: testimony summarized the bill in four sections: reaffirming existing duties to stop and obey traffic where required; permitting bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs when safe; allowing bicyclists to treat certain traffic signals as stop signs after stopping; and prohibiting left turns on red under the new rule. Presenters said the draft excludes electric bikes and scooters after law‑enforcement concerns.
Evidence cited: Brandon Hess and sponsor Heather Goulding cited NHTSA and academic evaluations: they noted that 27 percent of bicycle fatalities occur at intersections according to NHTSA material presented, cited Idaho research showing a 14.5 percent decline in injuries in one study and Delaware research showing a similar decline at stop signs. Sponsors said NHTSA evaluations did not find an increase in reckless bicyclist behavior in evaluated states.
Public testimony: Olivia Tanager of the Sierra Club, Kai Plaskon of the Nevada Bicycle Coalition and David Swallow of the RTC of Southern Nevada testified in support. Testifiers urged the committee to adopt AB 168 as a low‑cost, evidence‑based measure to reduce bicyclist exposure at intersections and to modernize traffic laws to better reflect bicyclists’ needs.
Questions and clarifications: senators asked about blind corners, visibility and safety for children; presenters said bicyclists approaching blind intersections would be required to ensure it is safe to proceed and stressed the importance of public education and predictability for road users.
Ending note: the committee received broad support from cycling and transportation groups; law enforcement organizations moved to neutral after electric bikes and scooters were removed from the draft. No committee vote is shown in the transcript.
