Bad me? (couple questions on my commute)

[Bigsharn]

Watching my commute back today and I know I'm not the best cyclist in the world... but there are a couple of things that made me think about doing twice...

The first being this:
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXneIgoPXC4&feature=channel_video_title[/media]


Now I know that I'm safe from traffic unless some twonk fancies jumping the red light to the right (by the time my lights change it's been red for roughly 30 seconds so that doesn't worry me) or a ped steps out I'm safe doing this... But is it really ethical? There's nothing illegal about it, it's just I feel unsure after watching it back.


The second, Google Maps link

Does that sign on the traffic lights mean no left turn except cyclists, or that the lights don't apply to cyclists? It's been there a fair while and I've always stopped when it's been red, but after someone jumped the light today it's left me wondering whether it's actually an RLJ or not.


Any help appreciated

 

[Hip Priest]

I don't see anything wrong with the vid. Good, clean filtering.

 

[Black Sheep]

it's a bit of a 'jumping the queue' kind of move, seems your only risk is a vehicle setting off quickly making it a tight run between traffic and island, or a vehicle taking exception to you pulling the manoeuvre.

my basic rule of thumb is, would I get annoyed if someone in a car did a similar thing, if so, don't do it on a bike.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Providing the light was green (can't see it on the video - only it turning to amber) and that it was safe (ie no other red light jumper coming out of the side road), there's no ethical problem at all. Are any of those drivers going to worry about overtaking you, a cyclist?

In theory you should wait for green before you turn left but as the turning is only for bikes, turning off creates no danger and in fact is probably safer than staying in a place where you could get shunted. I'd say that it was technically illegal to proceed on red but that's only because the highway engineers haven't thought it through. I'd accord as much respect to the red light as the planners have shown for cyclists.

 

[the snail]

I think the filtering is ok, but you need to be careful, get the timing wrong and you could get caught out by oncoming traffic or the cars moving off in your lane - best to make sure you have an escape route if necessary.<br>The sign means only cyclists can turn left. If you were allowed through the lights there would be a green light with a picture of a bike?<br>

 

[BentMikey]

That looked like very nice riding to me! My only worry is the island really - get the timing wrong and that and the narrowness of the lane starts to reduce your options. Without that island it'd be no problem at all IMHO.

 

[Nigel182]

Couldn't make out the lights either...but did see the Female Jogger you checked out.....!!!!

 

[Norm]

It worked out ok and I don't think you did anything wrong, but I wouldn't have done it myself, I think the timing was too close.

You gained a few seconds, but the cost if something hadn't gone to plan would have been too much for my liking.

As for those who say they couldn't see the green light, I don't understand that, it was perfectly visible.


And that sign does mean no left turn except cyclists but you still have to obey the lights.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Nowt at all wrong with the vid, light timing definitely in your favour and you didn't impede anyone at all - why shouldn't a faster, narrower, more agile and versatile vehicle make progress just because lumbering oversized ones can't? It is only a problem when you are doing it at the expense of others.

I assume if lights changed earlier you wouldn't push it to get in front and instead slot in

 

[ianrauk]

you did good. Nothing wrong with your riding. I would have done the same thing.

 

[Black knight]

Nowt wrong with that, ride that road often.

 

[Bigsharn]

Ok, thanks all. I figured the lad jumped the red light, but thought I'd better ask. It's very rare that I hit it on red anyway, today just happened to be one of those very few occasions.

If I mis-time the lights (very rare that happens) I tend to slap on the anchors and slot in as best I can with that lane. I tend to give it some going down there as it's a slight downhill slope, so it gives me enough oomph to get to the top of the other side without too much effort

Thanks all

 

[gaz]

oh my god how did you make such a silly mistake?

I JOKE!

Nothing wrong in my mind.

 

[al78]

Nowt at all wrong with the vid, light timing definitely in your favour and you didn't impede anyone at all - why shouldn't a faster, narrower, more agile and versatile vehicle make progress just because lumbering oversized ones can't? It is only a problem when you are doing it at the expense of others.

I assume if lights changed earlier you wouldn't push it to get in front and instead slot in

If the cars he overtook then have to wait behind him later to overtake then it could be argued that the maneuver was at the expense of others. That may not have been the case here though, as the road looked wide enough after the lights for a safe overtake.

Personally I would have stopped behind the cars, but then I am very risk averse by nature.

 

[guitarpete247]

Agree with all the above. The timing looks about right as long as everyone else is on the ball and no-one jumps the lights or it aint Vettel in the car at the front of the queue and makes a racing start.

As for the sign on the lights, in your map link, I read it as no left turn unless you're a cyclist. Except for I think means you can turn left. I'll look out for that next time I'm in York.

+ the painted sign on the road gives it away as well.

BTW who's that ahead of the lights on the cargo trike? Anyone we know?