SB273 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Bicycles, to allow a person riding a bicycle to treat a stop sign as a yield sign, Sec. 32-5A-267 added; Sec. 32-5A-260 am'd.

Summary

SB 273 would let bicycle riders treat stop signs as yield signs under certain conditions and set lane-based stop-and-yield rules for bicycles.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new rule (Section 32-5A-267) that tells bicycle operators when to stop or yield at stop signs, based on road lane count and traffic conditions. It allows bicycle riders to treat a stop sign as a yield sign under some circumstances and requires stopping on roads with three or more lanes, while on two or fewer lanes riders should slow and yield as needed for safety. It maintains general right-of-way rules, including yielding to vehicles already in the intersection and applying a left-vs-right rule when entering at approximately the same time. It also amends Section 32-5A-260 to give bicyclists the same basic rights and duties as drivers, with certain exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Bicycle riders: new rules determine when they must stop, slow down, or yield at stop signs, depending on lane count and other traffic; they gain driving-like rights and duties with some bicycle-specific exceptions.
• Other road users (drivers of cars, trucks, motorcycles): the rules specify who must yield to bicycles in various stop-sign/intersection situations and clarify general right-of-way when bikes and vehicles meet.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-5A-260 to give bicycle riders the same general rights and duties as drivers, with certain exceptions.
• Adds Section 32-5A-267 to establish when bicycle operators must stop or yield at stop signs, based on the number of traffic lanes.
• Specific lane-based rules include: (a) three or more lanes — complete stop before entering the intersection; (b) two or fewer lanes — reduce speed and stop if needed for safety, then yield; (c) always yield to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching hazard; (d) always yield to a vehicle that has already entered the intersection; (e) when arriving at approximately the same time, the left-side operator yields to the right-side operator.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Bicycles