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Committee advances S.B.812 to allow cyclists to treat stop signs as yields after safety testimony
Summary
S.B.812, backed by Palmetto cycling advocates and motorcyclists, would let bicyclists treat stop signs as a yield and in some sensor‑controlled signals proceed when safe; the subcommittee voted to advance the bill to full committee (vote announced as 7‑0).
Rip Sanders, board chair for the Palmetto Cycling Association, told the committee S.B.812 updates traffic law to reflect how many cyclists already behave at intersections and argued the change improves safety by moving cyclists through intersections more quickly. Sanders noted the Senate passed the measure 47‑2 and cited research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration linking similar laws to improved outcomes. "This simply codifies how people on bikes already act and move within these intersections," he said.
Ralph Bell, testifying from a motorcyclist’s perspective, echoed the safety framing and said the change is common sense for two‑ and three‑wheeled road users. After testimony the subcommittee voted to give S.B.812 a favorable report to the full committee; the clerk announced the subcommittee vote as 7‑0. A participant later asked whether a similar 'go when safe' rule for cars had been considered; the chair noted that is outside the pending bill and moved the agenda forward.
