Committee advances 'stop as yield' bill allowing bicyclists to roll through empty stop signs

A House committee approved a substitute to House Bill 393 on a voice vote, advancing a measure that would permit bicyclists to slow and proceed through stop‑sign intersections when no vehicle or pedestrian is approaching.

Representative Cherilyn Cooper carried the measure and turned the presentation over to TJ Kaplan, who said the change is recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and has been enacted in several other states. Kaplan described the policy as a “stop as yield” approach and said jurisdictions that adopted similar laws saw reductions in bicycle crashes.

Kaplan said the substitute adds a hand‑signal requirement — including a minimum 50‑foot advance signal for left turns when safe — and clarifies that bicyclists must yield to both vehicles and pedestrians. Kaplan also cited other states that have passed similar statutes and noted studies showing crash reductions between 14% and 23% in some jurisdictions.

Carter Ray, a senior at Walton High School who brought the idea to his representative, told the committee the legislation “would allow bicyclists who are approaching a stop sign at a 4‑way stop to slow down and proceed through the intersection if no pedestrian or vehicle is approaching that intersection.” Ray summarized research concluding that rolling‑stop laws were associated with reduced crash rates and did not increase reckless bicycling behavior.

During committee questions, members asked whether cyclists must stop if vehicles are present (they must), how the law would be enforced, and how the state would educate drivers. Kaplan said organizations including GoGeorgia, the Department of Transportation and the governor’s office of highway safety conduct outreach to educate the public.

A motion to pass the bill was made and seconded; the committee approved HB393 by voice vote and moved it forward. The transcript does not include a roll‑call tally.