One of the first things I learned about riding was coming to a complete stop at stop signs. I was in high school and a friend let me ride his bike. I was driving and he was on the back. I coasted up to an intersection, slowed a bit to check for cars, and then gave it gas. When we later stopped at our destination, he said his dad taught him to always stop completely at stop signs and put both feet down, and that I should too. I always remembered that, and I do it to this day. I've gotten to the point where I just put the left foot down and keep the right one on the brake, but I still come to a complete stop.
That method was reinforced a few months ago, not by my action, but by another biker. I was in my pickup and had just pulled out of my driveway into the street, going pretty slow. I spotted a biker coming from a side street to my right. He had his head turned away from me, looking up the street in the direction I was going. It was obvious he didn't see me. I didn't think he was going to stop and I was right, even though he had a stop sign and I had the right of way. I slowed almost to a stop, but I was still moving. He turned his head toward me and saw me just as he was entering the intersection, about to make a left turn directly in front of me. By that time I was going slow enough that I knew I wouldn't hit him. I could see the panic in his eyes. He tried to stop, but couldn't. He obviously wasn't practiced enough to make a panic stop. Judging from his action, he probably always just rolled through stop signs. Then he tried to gun it, swinging wide through the street and almost running over the far curb. By that time my pickup was stopped completely. We sort of locked eyes as he rode by, and I could see the "I just screwed up" look on his face. My girlfriend was with me. She was aghast. I told her, "You see? That is why I always stop completely and put a foot down at stop signs. Not only does it keep you out of trouble, but it gives you practice for when you really need it."
Cody
