According to the vast majority of states a bicycle or horse and buggy, is required by law to follow the same rules as cars do, if you roll through a stop sign you could get a ticket in all states except for two or three. Of course some places ignore that law in regards to bicycles, but know this, if you roll through a stop and are hit by a car, and there are witnesses you will be at fault, even in states that allow for you do that.
I know what you all are thinking, "well I look both ways and roll through a stop, I'm safe", well most of the time that's true, but I had a friend who had been riding bikes for about 25 years and was really into it. He was riding out in the country where he had a unobstructed view of a 4 way intersection in all directions, the intersection was a 2 way stop, he had to stop, but he never did, this one day he didn't see the car for some reason that killed him.
Personally I think police need to clamp down hard on cyclists, they do all sorts of insane stuff, like weave in and out of traffic cutting off cars, the cars honk and they get the finger from the cyclists. I ride bikes, and I drive cars, I see the crap that a lot of cyclists do, and these just aren't street bums on bicycles, these are guys in expensive kits riding expensive bikes pulling all kinds of stunts and pissin off drivers. We can set here and talk about in nice terms how we as cyclists need to be courteous to motorists, but at the end of the day most are not, so since we can't seem to play nice with motorists than we need to police to help us in that regard!
I know you all are going to be writing hate posts towards me, that's ok because that tells me you're one of the bad riders and you don't want be punished for your bad behavior. Problem is your bad behavior is getting yourself injured or killed. Last year I witnessed a cyclist running a red light, he was hit and died later at the hospital, I had the unfortunate task of telling the cops he ran the light. While some of you think that only hurts the cyclist, no it doesn't, even if it's the cyclist fault and the driver isn't hurt it did hurt the drivers mind, something they'll never forget, it's not like they hit and killed a dog, a human is a whole different thing.
I prefer that cyclists follow the same laws as cars, as it has been for many years. Now I admit, I will come up to a stop, but this is usually a 4 way stop, and I will roll through if no one is there, but I also know it's against the law and if cop wanted to ticket me for it he has that right. I also will come up to a red light and stop, those darn sensors in the road won't register a bike, so I'm not going to set there for 20 minutes waiting, if the traffic is light I will wait for a clearing then go even though it's against the law, if the traffic is heavy and there is a walk button I will go to the sidewalk and press the button.
So I'm not some ogar telling you all you need to wait indefinitely for a light because it's the law, but to run a stop or light on a regular bases and motorists are having to slow or stop for you just because you think your cyclist that's above the law needs to stop.
A lot of cyclist complain the don't get any respect from motorists, I hate to tell you but if you respect motorists by following the same laws they do, and not go off having road rage on some driver then they'll start respecting you back. When I'm driving I'm always aware of cyclists, and I take extra precautions around them, but it pisses me off too when I have to slam on my brakes because some moron is weaving between moving cars which causes others to slam on their brakes, or running lights and stop signs, and then these damn cyclists have the gall to flip me off when they're the ones that caused the problem!
I asked a local cop why they didn't ticket cyclists for doing stupid stuff or running at night with no lights or reflectors even, and what he said is shocking, he said because it makes their paper work easier, there is no doubt who's fault it is, even if the cyclist is not at fault in accordance to traffic laws but is running without lights and reflectors at night, it's automatically the cyclist fault. Again it's easier paperwork. I'm telling you what a cop said in our town. In my state it is a law to be using lights and reflectors at night, you cannot ride at night with just reflectors.
I know not all cyclists are bad, but I would dare to say that about 75% of them are! I know this isn't just a problem where I live, I've lived and drove and rode in California, and rode my bike or driven my car in other states and it's the same thing no matter where I go.
Here comes the fireworks.