Jumping red lights

[gaz]

I've had it several times.
Only a few months ago I had a HGV that clearly wasn't going to stop for a light which he should have been able to do with quite some ease. My options where to either cycle through the red light or risk getting hit by a HGV.

 

[BentMikey]

in ten years of London cycling I've never had to cross a stop line to avoid being rear ended

how do you know that someone's going to rear end you?

Perhaps you've been lucky? It's pretty obvious when you do see it happening.

The worst one I had was on my motorbike, and the emergency taxi behind me had smoking wheels trying to stop, I rolled further forwards into the intersection, and the taxi still just ended up with his front wheels over the line. This one wasn't London, mind, as the phrase "emergency taxi" should convey.

 

[Red Light]

You mean everything the press reports is true??????????????????????

So do you think it was concocted entirely by a journalist while sat on the loo or do you think it was a report of a real case?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

So do you think it was concocted entirely by a journalist while sat on the loo or do you think it was a report of a real case?

I think that we may not be in possession of all the facts.

 

[SW19cam]

It's not the safest thing to do in either case. You should be looking at the ASL well before you are at it to see if it is clear to use. If it isn't then the safest thing to do is to slot into a central position in the lane behind a vehicle.

I don't see how a car or truck on your arse in any case is a reason to jump a red light. especially to turn right. How do you get across to the right with the other traffic crossing your path?

I don't think you are getting the crucial point. If there is traffic crossing your path, it wouldn't be safe. If there is no traffic to cross you path, and you can see all of the exits / entrances, it could be safe. Add in the fact that you are on a busy road, and it's safer to create space rather than trust cars to give you it... well, then we're nearly there.

 

[SW19cam]

So then you stop and wait until the lights turn green. It's not that difficult.

Unless you'd already pushed yourself into the junction?

Pushed to the junction? In the circumstances it was reasonable to filter to the ASL, which appeared to be free. Add in a late come cyclist who changes lane, a slight corner, and a nose of a car.. now it's not free. Much safer for me to glide through the red lights (I can see all of the entrances to the junction, and a bit further).

I should be able to dig out the video at some point, given it's on my commute..

 

[SW19cam]

I've had it several times.
Only a few months ago I had a HGV that clearly wasn't going to stop for a light which he should have been able to do with quite some ease. My options where to either cycle through the red light or risk getting hit by a HGV.

Confused as to why you have a problem with going through a red light when it's safer then. This seems to be fairly self negating unless I have read it wrong (Did you risk getting hit by the HGV?)

 

[gaz]

I don't think you are getting the crucial point. If there is traffic crossing your path, it wouldn't be safe. If there is no traffic to cross you path, and you can see all of the exits / entrances, it could be safe. Add in the fact that you are on a busy road, and it's safer to create space rather than trust cars to give you it... well, then we're nearly there.

I understand that 99% of 'rljing' is done in a perfectly safe manner, that is why very few cyclists get hurt or hurt others by doing it. But you are trying to make a reason as to why you should do it. You do not know how the vehicle behind you is going to act. You are just presuming that they might be a danger to you and that you would prefer to get out of the way. If that's the case then why don't you cycle on the pavement?

Confused as to why you have a problem with going through a red light when it's safer then. This seems to be fairly self negating unless I have read it wrong (Did you risk getting hit by the HGV?)

I was forced to go through the red light because a lorry behind me showed no signs of stopping. I'm not putting my self in harms where. The difference is you do not know if the vehicles behind you will run you of the road, where as i knew if i stopped, i would be flattened.

 

[Red Light]

I understand that 99% of 'rljing' is done in a perfectly safe manor,

Where's that? Kensington or Chelsea?

 

[gaz]

Where's that? Kensington or Chelsea?

Dyslexia, what more can i say.

 

[Red Light]

Dyslexia, what more can i say.

ITYM Dial Sexy

 

[clarion]

Or Daily sex

 

[Domeo]

All I can see is rlj trying to justify their breaking the law. I have been riding into central london for nearly 20 years and I have never felt the need to run the lights and neither have I been rear ended by either a motor vehicle or bike. The choice on whether or not to cross a red light has been taken away from you by making it illegal and if you do your a plank.

I get so pissed off with these holier than thou riders who ride across lights and crossing full of pedestrians and throw a gob full of abuse when they get pull up it. If I continue to see peanut running lights or crossings I will continue to let you know what I think of you. There is no excuse or justification for such anti social behaviour. Grow up.

 

[JonnyBlade]

Good for you. Good bye.

 

[JonnyBlade]

All I can see is rlj trying to justify their breaking the law. I have been riding into central london for nearly 20 years and I have never felt the need to run the lights and neither have I been rear ended by either a motor vehicle or bike. The choice on whether or not to cross a red light has been taken away from you by making it illegal and if you do your a plank.

I get so pissed off with these holier than thou riders who ride across lights and crossing full of pedestrians and throw a gob full of abuse when they get pull up it. If I continue to see peanut running lights or crossings I will continue to let you know what I think of you. There is no excuse or justification for such anti social behaviour. Grow up.

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