Stop-as-yield lets a person on a bike treat a stop sign as a yield sign, and a red light as a stop sign, when the way is clear. At a stop sign, the rider slows down and goes if no one else has the right of way. At a red light, the rider stops, then goes when it is clear. Research shows that this simple change is safe and reduces crashes at intersections.
Data Backs Stop-As-Yield
Most bicycle crashes happen at intersections. The 2025 Michigan crash data show that 65.8% of all bicycle collisions happened in intersections. A rider who keeps moving spends less time in the intersection. That lowers the chance of a crash.
Other places have measured the results. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
● Idaho: Bicyclist injuries fell 14.5% the year after the state’s law took effect in 1982.
● Delaware: Crashes at stop-sign intersections fell 23% in the 30 months after the state’s 2017 law, compared to the 30 months before.
Stop-as-yield also fits how people ride. Riders who keep their momentum are more predictable to drivers, and traffic flows more smoothly.
Where Other States Stand
Thirteen states and Washington, DC, now have stop-as-yield laws. Idaho was first, in 1982. Delaware, Oregon, and Washington followed with stop-sign laws. Ten more places have joined them since, including Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, and South Carolina. Several of these laws also let riders treat a red light as a stop sign. Michigan should join them.
Advocate With LMB
We raised this issue with our Michigan senators and representatives at Bicycle & Trail Advocacy Day in 2025 and 2026. When the new Legislature is seated in January 2027, we will push to get a bill introduced. It is time that we all had “MI Choice” to treat Stop-As-Yield.
Join us, and advocate for common-sense change to make bicycling safer in Michigan.
Sources:
NHTSA “Stop-As-Yield” Safety Fact Sheet
NHTSA “Stop-As-Yield” Law Analysis (PDF) · Wikipedia: “Idaho stop” (state-by-state list)