Cyclists - Please stop at red lights

[BentMikey]

If you jump red lights I will call you a muppet, and put your shame on YouTube.

 

[redcard]

There was a guy on my commute this morning, jumped through 3 red lights before we met at the 4th (I caught him easily every time). He turns round and grunts something, think it was a hello, but he was obviously in such a state he had lost the power of speech. I told him he should stop at the lights more often as he obviously needed the rest.
I let him get 20 yards ahead then completely leathered him.

It's not just the fact that he was jumping the lights, he wasn't slowing down, he wasn't having a good look around, he looked to be completely oblivious, although I'm sure he probably had some awareness if his surroundings.

 

[Brandane]

I let him get 20 yards ahead then completely leathered him.

I am assuming that the meaning of "give someone a leathering" has changed since my yoof? Otherwise it's a bit of an over-reaction to someone RLJing . Sorry; I just have an image in my head of a RLJ cyclist lying in the gutter somewhere as you cycle off into the distance......

 

[the snail]

Sorry; I just have an image in my head of a RLJ cyclist lying in the gutter somewhere as you cycle off into the distance......

... clad in lederhosen and gimp mask?

 

[Jdratcliffe]

... clad in lederhosen and gimp mask?

made my morning ! could be the manic day and the unrelenting phone calls but this comment made me giggle a little at my desk! so thank you..

 

[benb]

A moment's thought, combined with Red Light's figures, illustrate that it's perfectly possible to RLJ without much danger to yourself or others.

RLJ by cyclists is blown out of all proportion, and what I really object to is motorists lumping us all in together, and expecting all cyclists to share responsibility for cyclists who RLJ. Why should I take responsibility for the actions of other cyclists? I see many more motorists running red lights, and much more dangerously, than cyclists, but I don't feel the need to berate every motorist I see for the RLJer's actions.

Traffic lights are really only there to control motorised traffic. In some ways, cyclists are closer to pedestrians than vehicles, so I think it would be worth considering making red lights equivalent to stop signs - let cyclists proceed if it is safe to do so, but on the understanding that they accept presumed liability should a collision occur.

I'm not suggesting cyclists should break traffic laws: I'm suggesting we change the traffic laws.

I almost never RLJ, BTW.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

but sadly no seriuos thoughts about how to enforce it so it means drivers will actually obey the limit. i live in a 20 zone and its like the wacky races most days. even when driving at 20i get abuse from other drivers for going too slow, and this is past 2 , yes 2 primary schools within 300 yds of each other and a fairly large secondary.

It can be fun, though. On our 20mph approach road, I stick the cruise control on at 20mph in 3rd gear and then enjoy seeing the face of the driver behind get redder and redder.

Seriously, though, I think this is an important point. The road I refer to has speed bumps severe enough to make be concerned about the suspension when I take them at 20mph, but I still see many drivers bouncing over them at 30mph plus.

 

[subaqua]

It can be fun, though. On our 20mph approach road, I stick the cruise control on at 20mph in 3rd gear and then enjoy seeing the face of the driver behind get redder and redder.

Seriously, though, I think this is an important point. The road I refer to has speed bumps severe enough to make be concerned about the suspension when I take them at 20mph, but I still see many drivers bouncing over them at 30mph plus.

sounds like the road I live on. one thing to never try is ride like crazy at them and try and bunny hop at the peak. ends up with a face full of tarmac, not that i have ever tried that one of course. i am far to smart for that

 

[redcard]

I am assuming that the meaning of "give someone a leathering" has changed since my yoof? Otherwise it's a bit of an over-reaction to someone RLJing . Sorry; I just have an image in my head of a RLJ cyclist lying in the gutter somewhere as you cycle off into the distance......

I'll maybe check on him on the way home, make sure he managed to call an ambulance

 

[PK99]

And as has been pointed out by the Times and TfL, not red light jumping has probably caused the deaths of many tens of women cyclists under lorries over that period in London.

.

Not so: the cause of a many of those has been poor positioning by the cyclist:

Follow cycle craft and never allow another large vehicle to share your lane at lights:

Arrive first = stop in primary at the head of the queue, if a lorry stops close behind, move forward a little to be visible by the driver.
Arrive later = stop in primary in the queue well behind the next vehicle and wait.
NEVER EVER stop hard left against kerb/railings at a traffic light.
NEVER EVER ride up the inside of any large vehicle stopped at a junction.

 

[marzjennings]

I think any of us that love cycling and cycle on our busy roads want to see safer roads for cyclists but the amount of times I see cyclists riding through red stop lights, picking their way through traffic, appalls me.
Do they realise how much this infuriates some motor vehicle drivers. Its dangerous and rude. No wonder cyclists get a bad name.
Anyone reading this that engages in this practice - STOP IT. Your making it worse for ever other road user.

No and I shall continue to ride how I please; knickers to you!

 

[rich p]

7 bleedin' pages!

 

[Moodyman]

Let's see if we can stretch it to 8

 

[Moodyman]

Needs one more me thinks

 

[Moodyman]

try again...