Jump the Junction

[postman_reg]

A doctor friend of mine told me that more women than men cyclists get killed in London at junctions because men typically get in front of the cars or jump the junction, where a woman will stay put and get crushed. Having said that, I would jump a junction only if it is safe for me to do so.

 

[Dan B]

Hello and welcome to the forum

A doctor friend of mine told me that more women than men cyclists get killed in London at junctions

This bit is true

because men typically get in front of the cars or jump the junction, where a woman will stay put and get crushed.

But this is probably just supposition (although it's a plausible explanation at least)

If you aren't familiar with it already, may I recommend http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/ and the concepts of "vehicular cycling" (google it)

 

[amnezia]

Being visible to other vehicles at traffic lights is the key. I have never been in a position where I would consider jumping a red light safer.

 

[hackbike 666]

A doctor friend of mine told me that more women than men cyclists get killed in London at junctions because men typically get in front of the cars or jump the junction, where a woman will stay put and get crushed. Having said that, I would jump a junction only if it is safe for me to do so.

Here we go again.

 

[Arch]

Having said that, I would jump a junction only if it is safe for me to do so.

If I may take up the baton...

Well, that's fine then, if it's safe for you. What about the people who see you do it, and add it to their reasons to hate and berate other cyclists, even if they happen to be perfectly law abiding?

You could always try the radical technique of obeying the law and waiting a moment or two, whether the junction seems to be 'safe' for you to cross or not.

 

[summerdays]

As a woman I would say that we are slightly less forceful in general (can't think how to say that properly). I would say that a female who hasn't read about positioning or had training would be more likely to take up a position on the far left at a junction putting herself in the danger zone.

If like today I went to the front of the queue and found a bus slightly encroaching on the ASL, I put myself in front but actually ahead of the ASL to make sure that the bus driver could clearly see me. I think an inexperienced cyclist may position themselves over on the side encouraging themselves to become cut up by the cars.

I don't think you need to jump a junction to be safe - you need to be visible and position yourself in primary.

 

[hackbike 666]

I will never know how we survived before RLJing was invented.

 

[asterix]

Having said that, I would jump a junction only if it is safe for me to do so.

RLJers round here would have the gendarmerie swarming like wasps. There's not enough crime to go round.

 

[John the Monkey]

Learn proper road positioning.

Then you can not be squashed and obey the law.

KEWL!

 

[HLaB]

Can't really say not living in London but a lot of cyclist I see (perhaps more women) cut down the inside of buses/ HGV's etc at junctions setting them selves up for could be a dangerous conflict.

 

[grhm]

As a woman I would say that we are slightly less forceful in general (can't think how to say that properly).

I believe the word you're after SD is assertive. Men in general are more assertive - something too much so that they're actually aggressive and/or arrogant.

From what I've read (and I'm not claiming to have access to all the fact/stats), I believe the majority of reported incidents are from cyclists being caught in the gutter by a large left-turning vehicle. It's the less confident, (more submissive?), cyclists that will squeeze down the left, sitting in the gutter and not taking the lane (or "forcing" their way into the main flow of traffic).

I've never seen the point of RLJing. OK, if a RLJer thinks its dangerous to sit at the front of a queue of traffic and they don't want that bus/lorry/car/etc directly behind them, then they should slot into the queue of traffic BEHIND it. That way they avoid any race-from-the-lights conflict and don't risk hitting crossing peds/bikes/traffic.

 

[Origamist]

Learn proper road positioning.

Then you can not be squashed and obey the law.

Tragically, you can.

 

[John the Monkey]

Tragically, you can.

Fair point - would you accept the phraseology "Less likely to be" ?

 

[Goffins]

Cars are just obstacles to me, as are junctions, lights, crossings.
I don't ignore their existance but I don't adhere to the highway code either and I never even have a close shave.

As long as you're intelligent and responsive enough to cope with a multitude of information at speed, there is no reason why you should ever be in danger when jumping a crossing, a red light or a queue of traffic.

 

[CotterPin]

Cars are just obstacles to me, as are junctions, lights, crossings.
I don't ignore their existance but I don't adhere to the highway code either and I never even have a close shave.

As long as you're intelligent and responsive enough to cope with a multitude of information at speed, there is no reason why you should ever be in danger when jumping a crossing, a red light or a queue of traffic.driving above the speed limit, talking on the mobile phone, etc, etc

I made a slight modification to your post. I hope you don't mind.