ASHLAND, Ore. -- A new law is helping cyclists on the road.
"We are pretty excited about it," said Scott Krupa, General Manager at Ashland Cycle Sport. "It's one of those weird things you would never have to worry about it in car right?"
The law will especially help people like Noel Whit who bike everywhere.
"No car, just bike. I built this one myself," said Whit.
Before, cyclists just like cars would have to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.
"In Oregon, you're supposed to stop, put your foot down, and then go again," said Krupa.
He says the original law is hard for bikers, because you stop and then have to get your momentum going again.
"We want to be allowed on the road, and follow all of the rules, but there are some times when it kind of doesn't make a lot of sense," said Krupa.
The new law is called the 'Idaho Stop.'
"The cyclists can treat the stop sign as a yield," said Krupa.
The University of California Berkeley did research on the stop. After the first year, Idaho saw a 14.5 percent decrease in cyclist injuries. It turns out this stopping improved safety and it could help drivers as well.
"Obviously we are going to stop if there's any cars, but the idea is generally a cyclists in motion is more visible. A stopped cyclist is almost always in a car's blind spot," said Krupa.
