One obvious strategy for reducing the incidence of bicyclists running stop signs
is to enforce the traffic laws that apply to them: bicyclists are required to
stop at stop signs and follow the other rules of the road. The recently published
"National Strategies for Increasing Bicycle Safety" identifies enforcement
as one of the key components of local safety initiatives http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/bike/goal4.htm.
However, many police departments are reluctant to devote resources to a task such
as this, given the numerous other demands on their time.
Some communities have periodic enforcement blitzes, and others may concentrate
enforcement efforts on particular intersections and behaviors in order to have
the maximum impact.
http://www.ci.roseville.mn.us/police/department.htm
http://cpd.buffnet.net/Current%20Events/Events/1999_bicycle_enforcement.html
University campuses are frequently the target of enforcement campaigns, and
many campuses have extensive bicycle training and safety programs that include
an enforcement element.
Cornell University, Ithaca, new York:
http://www.aben.cornell.edu/extension/bicycle/Report/reportenf.html
University of Colorado, Boulder: http://bcn.boulder.co.us/campuspress/1994/aug2694/bike.html
For communities considering a more aggressive approach to enforcing bicycle
traffic laws, the International Police Mountain Bike Association (www.ipmba.org)
and a growing number of consultants offer training to help police departments
understand bicycle law enforcement issues.
http://www.witc.tec.wi.us/pgmpages/lawenf/rlake/bicycle.htm
