Maine bill proposes to allow bicyclists to yield at stop signs

A new bill would permit bicyclists to yield — rather than come to a full stop — at stop signs if the intersection is clear in Maine. It’s an attempt to put into state law what is already common practice, said Jim Tasse, assistant director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, which supports the bill. “It doesn’t mean you can blow through a stop sign,” Tasse said. “It’s not a ‘run stop sign bill.’ It is a ‘if you approach and it’s safe to proceed’ you can proceed.” National statistics that show a decrease in crashes and injuries in states that have adopted what’s sometimes called the Safety Stop. The Maine bill, LD 1551, will get a public hearing before the Legislature’s Transportation Committee at 1 p.m. Tuesday.