Does Red mean Stop??

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sidevalve

Über Member
No idea. Never seen them in use.
Bit like arm signals from cyclists then.
 

sidevalve

Über Member
Red does not mean STOP at roadworks where there is single file traffic if it is "just" a cyclist coming through the road works, apparently.:sad:
Not sure what this refers to. If you mean a car coming through on red when there's a bike coming through then on all the sites I worked on he'd have got some serious stick and we would have forced him to reverse out of the roadworks. If it means a cyclist coming through on red then sorry but he would also have got a dose also, as any car coming through, swerving to avoid him may well have put our lives at risk
 
Not sure what this refers to. If you mean a car coming through on red when there's a bike coming through then on all the sites I worked on he'd have got some serious stick and we would have forced him to reverse out of the roadworks. If it means a cyclist coming through on red then sorry but he would also have got a dose also, as any car coming through, swerving to avoid him may well have put our lives at risk

Never gone through on red at road works - but in variably ended up with oncoming traffic getting very grumpy with meeting us because sensors don't count cyclists, or wait for them, or give anywhere near long enough delays to account for them (except in Scandinavia where they did detect us and wait, as did the motorists).
 

sidevalve

Über Member
Never gone through on red at road works - but in variably ended up with oncoming traffic getting very grumpy with meeting us because sensors don't count cyclists, or wait for them, or give anywhere near long enough delays to account for them (except in Scandinavia where they did detect us and wait, as did the motorists).
Actually they do. The temp lights MUST allow time for a vehicle to travel through while the lights are on an "all red" phase. This is to allow for cars trucks etc "nipping in" and to clear the way for oncoming traffic. If the lights do not allow enough time you have the right to request that the timing be altered, [the traffic management operatives are not fools however and will spot someone taking the p--s, so don't pretend you can only manage 2 mph].
The sensors do see cyclists the problem is many people slide up to them at 2 - 3 mph and wait, many sensors operate at approach speeds of over 5mph [to allow for non actuation by pedestrians] and it's best to try to approach "head on" as your apparent speed will be less visible at an ange to the detector head.
Finally remember the guys in the roadworks are just like you, they have a job to do and at times it can be a risky one [I have lost four workmates on the roads, one was smashed to bits by a truck]. Give 'em a chance and they can be very helpfull, even looking out for you and waving you through.
 

Bigsharn

Veteran
Location
Leeds
Depending on the RLJ Sometimes I comment, and sometimes I run red myself, it depends entirely on the circumstance. As an example of the latter:
http://goo.gl/maps/etdwR
I used to turn left after that stop line, to avoid the patch of road leading up to Foss Islands (it's not pleasant to ride on). It didn't matter whether the light was red or not. I carried on and turned left on the account that:
1: I was turning before any chance of collision with a pedestrian/fellow cycling
2: I could play dumb, citing that it says "except cycles"

People going across a junction with moving traffic of course all have a death-wish and get a comment, but those are completely different circumstances.
 
Actually they do. The temp lights MUST allow time for a vehicle to travel through while the lights are on an "all red" phase. This is to allow for cars trucks etc "nipping in" and to clear the way for oncoming traffic. If the lights do not allow enough time you have the right to request that the timing be altered, [the traffic management operatives are not fools however and will spot someone taking the p--s, so don't pretend you can only manage 2 mph].
The sensors do see cyclists the problem is many people slide up to them at 2 - 3 mph and wait, many sensors operate at approach speeds of over 5mph [to allow for non actuation by pedestrians] and it's best to try to approach "head on" as your apparent speed will be less visible at an ange to the detector head.
....

Sadly that has not been my experience, espescially at longer sets of roadworks where we usually just end up back the other side of the cones if we meet oncoming traffic, waiting for the next phase and rarely if ever have we been able to talk to the workmen - usually (when we cycle/time of day) they are not around or if they are invariably seem to be at the other end of the road works from where the issues occur, or they just nod hello and ignore the issue.

However, before you write me off as one of "those", you will find that in this thread, I am actually defending the state of the UK roads. I know that people don't appreciate the condition they are - i.e. usually very good/excellent for most of the time. They are significantly better than many other countries I have cycled in, including some very close to home and last year we covered 22 countries and that does take a lot of work and effort, so thank you. Some of us, do really appreciate you.
 

Banjo

Fuelled with Jelly Babies
Location
South Wales
Turning left on a red light is usually safe if theres good visibility and no pedestrian crossing involved.In some countries its allowed. Not that I ever would of course...
 
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