Drivers in Seattle, Stop signs = Yield signs for cyclists.

There is a lot of misinformation around laws around cycling the most prominent one is people thinking bikes have to full stop at stop signs. It’s quite alarming how many people are confidently wrong when all they have to do is read. The purpose of this is to educate people who are driving on the road.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.190

Here’s the context around stop signs.

(b)(i) With the exception of (b)(ii) and (iii) of this subsection, a person operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign shall either:

(A) Follow the requirements for approaching a stop sign as specified in (a) of this subsection; or

(B) Follow the requirements for approaching a yield sign as specified in subsection (3) of this section.

OK SO WE FOLLOW B subsection 3! which is about yield signs… so again stop signs = yield.

(ii) A person operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign located at a highway grade crossing of a railroad must follow the requirements of RCW 46.61.345.

(iii) A person operating a bicycle approaching a “stop” signal in use by a school bus, as required under RCW 46.37.190, must follow the requirements of RCW 46.61.370.

(3) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience to such sign slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and if required for safety to stop, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering a marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the roadway, and then after slowing or stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways: PROVIDED, That if such a driver is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection or junction of roadways, after driving past a yield sign without stopping, such collision shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way.