Jumping red lights

[gaz]

stop at red or silly cyclist from me

 

[rowan 46]

stop at red or silly cyclist from me

to be honest I am not arguing with you my real point was that you should stop because it's the right thing to do not because you are used as a stereotype for people who are too lazy to think in any other terms

 

[John90]

I use red lights as rest time as when I cycle I always push hard.

I read somewhere that the effort required to stop/start requires more exertion overall than keeping going through lights.

I have to confess I stop at lights mainly through fear of a dishonourable discharge from CycleChat. Before I came on here I did it on a couple of left hand turns on my normal commute and one right hand junction when the pedestrian green light went on. And before THAT, when I returned to cycling, I did it pretty much anywhere i thought was safe (which wasn't as often as I thought).

I have to say that when I was driving and not cycling it didn't phase me that cyclists jumped lights, any more than when pedestrians crossed the road when the lights were against them, providing it was safe. I suspect it is only drivers with an anti-cycling agenda who really think about it.

There must be a separate chat site for RLJ cyclists because on my commute many if not the majority of them do it.

 

[stowie]

I read somewhere that the effort required to stop/start requires more exertion overall than keeping going through lights.

I have to confess I stop at lights mainly through fear of a dishonourable discharge from CycleChat. Before I came on here I did it on a couple of left hand turns on my normal commute and one right hand junction when the pedestrian green light went on. And before THAT, when I returned to cycling, I did it pretty much anywhere i thought was safe (which wasn't as often as I thought).

I have to say that when I was driving and not cycling it didn't phase me that cyclists jumped lights, any more than when pedestrians crossed the road when the lights were against them, providing it was safe. I suspect it is only drivers with an anti-cycling agenda who really think about it.

There must be a separate chat site for RLJ cyclists because on my commute many if not the majority of them do it.

Jumping red lights is to cyclists as speeding is to motorists. Everybody says they don't do it, yet there appear to be a lot of exceptions to the rule...

I, of course, don't RLJ...

 

[SW19cam]

There are occassions when I feel it is safer to go through a red light than not to. What are people's thoughts on that?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

There are occassions when I feel it is safer to go through a red light than not to. What are people's thoughts on that?

I would only do it if stopping would cause an accident or to allow an emergency vehicle access.

 

[barongreenback]

I can't imagine it's safer to jump a red light as you always have the option of taking primary position to ensure that you are seen. What really gets on my thrupennies is cyclists who cycle round pedestrian crossings to avoid the red light i.e. come off the road and onto the pavement at crossroads. Getting worse in Birmingham as lots of new cycle commuters take to the road.

 

[Riverman]

It's one of my pet hates. I'll pull cyclists over to have a go at them if they do it. This can back fire though as once it happened and I almost got run over whilst trying to chase after the offending cyclist.

 

[stowie]

I can't imagine it's safer to jump a red light as you always have the option of taking primary position to ensure that you are seen. What really gets on my thrupennies is cyclists who cycle round pedestrian crossings to avoid the red light i.e. come off the road and onto the pavement at crossroads. Getting worse in Birmingham as lots of new cycle commuters take to the road.

I can give you one example. A10 up Stamford Hill. Main urban road, narrow dual carriageway with no bus-lane to aid. Cars fly up this drag whilst cyclists are slowed by the incline and there are multiple side-roads and a petrol station to add to the excitement. Go when the lights go green and you are at the front of a hoard of motorists jostling to get past. Jump the light and you are pretty much at the top by the time the lights go green and the grand-prix begins.

Not that I condone it - I normally try to time it so that I am going through towards the end of the green phase - not easy to do though.

I obey lights as it gives me a chance of a breather. My general unfitness working in perfect harmony with the highway code...

 

[gaz]

There are occassions when I feel it is safer to go through a red light than not to. What are people's thoughts on that?

Give us a few examples then.

 

[Red Light]

"Oi! Red Light!" from me.

You called sir?

 

[Red Light]

I would only do it if stopping would cause an accident or to allow an emergency vehicle access.

I thought you never ever broke the law?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I thought you never ever broke the law?

They would be mitigating circumstances as I understand it. I have said as much before.

 

[400bhp]

I don't usually GAF about red light jumpers but one this morning pished me off.

Jumped 3 sets of lights in a row, wobbling in the middle of the road at one waiting for cars to turn in front of him.

Shouted over to him at the last one that red is there for a reason.

I'm no angel but the guy was oblivious of his surroundings.

 

[400bhp]

It's one of my pet hates. I'll pull cyclists over to have a go at them if they do it. This can back fire though as once it happened and I almost got run over whilst trying to chase after the offending cyclist.

Are you the police?