Cyclists who jump red lights.. AH!

[style over speed]

Taxis and buses jump red lights at full speed far in London all the time.
But anyway the worst road rage / assault that I've experienced occurred when I didn't "jump" a light.
Dulwich village crossroads have a very long red phase where no one moves, I was in a good mood and like the op thought stupidly that RLJ bad name etc, so I waited and waited, as we all move off with the lights now green the car behind me attempts to overtake and left hook me, horns, emergency braking, swerving, I'm nearly under his bumper and totally freaked out flick him a finger and cycle off. Cue maniac road rage chase and assault by deranged car driver around dulwich village :-(
My safety now comes first.

 

[rich p]

OMG - RLJ thread.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Next thing it'll be cycling policeman!

Seen it. Wasn't impressed.

 

[Dan B]

I tried jumping red lights, but I just can't bunnyhop that high.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Just make sure you always wear a helmet and high-viz if you're going to RLJ.

 

[roadrash]

 

[Becs]

YAWN!

 

[Riverman]

Saw it happen again today on a road near by. Houston, we have a rogue postman on the loose....

 

[Brandane]

Here we go again! I'm sure RLJing is suicidal in places like the centre of London and other big cities. However, there are towns around here where they put up traffic lights for fun. Along our main street there are 4 traffic light controlled pedestrian crossings within about 200 yards. Despite that (or more likely because of that), pedestrians wander across the road at any random point. Often they press the button and then cross the road before the light has changed to allow them to cross. The traffic light then changes to red, but no-one is crossing. Are you really going to sit there waiting for green? Sorry but I don't. Hardly crime of the century, is it? Before anyone asks, no I wouldn't do it in the car; I have a licence that I don't want points on.

What I'm saying is; there is a time and a place where common sense should dictate when it is safe to cross on red. 2am at a deserted junction? If you can't judge when it is safe then you shouldn't be allowed out on your own!

 

[User482]

I've had enough of seeing cyclists motorists jump red lights. It's so irresponsible and paints a really ugly picture of us cyclists motorists.

I've never understood why the actions of other cyclists should reflect on me.

 

[PK99]

I've never understood why the actions of other cyclists should reflect on me.

It's the flip side of the coin of (some) cyclists damning all motorists because of the actions of a few.

 

[User482]

It's the flip side of the coin of (some) cyclists damning all motorists because of the actions of a few.

I don't. But it's more than a few - a significant minority engage in dangerous and illegal behaviour, and of course 1.5 tonnes of moving metal presents substantially more risk than the bicycle, however idiotic its owner may be.

 

[Riverman]

I've never understood why the actions of other cyclists should reflect on me.

I've never driven a car in my life, so the way you've edited my comment looks a bit odd to me...

 

[SoloCyclist]

Surely as a human I can make a decision based on my own judgement as to whether it is safe to cross a junction. If I cut out in front of a motorist who has right of way regardless of red light or not, that is where the recklessness lies.

I once got stopped by a policeman who told me off. He said as I went through the red light I never even looked behind me. How dangerous would that have been? It was temporary lights put in place to allow cars to pass a flood that had drained away, on a straight road where you could see all the way into the distance. The lights were just going through a sequence while both lanes were clear.

 

[Blue Steel]

Funnily enough.I am sure RM is phasing out cycle deliverys.It's two or three posties to each van.Letters packets and upto a certain size in larger packets.I don't think a cycle can carry enough mail to generate use.I may be wrong,no doubt someone will correct me.

Two to a van. Already happening in some parts of the country, and coming universally sooner or later. The excuse reason being given is that the amount of mail is down, but parcels and packets are on the increase and bicycles don't have the capacity. Another own goal by the company that thought rebranding itself Consiginia a few years back was the way ahead.