Left-turning cyclists could be exempt from stop signs

[Origamist]

CYCLISTS could be allowed to ride through traffic lights on red if they are turning left, under a bold new initiative in London.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...ts+could+be+exempt+from+stop+signs/article.do

 

[LLB]

Sorry Mate, unless directed by a police/warden, Red should mean Red irrespective of whatever way you move about - especially when in a high density traffic situation like London.

Cyclists are at just as much risk riding up the side of a bus/HGV when the lights turn to Amber as they go along side as if they were sat at the front of a queue waiting to go. Anything which encourages Cyclists to take this chance with big vehicles at lights is a step in the wrong direction IMO. It could be argued that a cyclist sat at the front of a HGV at lights is in a safer position because they have had more opportunity to clock them!

 

[Origamist]

Sorry Mate, unless directed by a police/warden, Red should mean Red irrespective of whatever way you move about - especially when in a high density traffic situation like London.

Cyclists are at just as much risk riding up the side of a bus/HGV when the lights turn to Amber as they go along side as if they were sat at the front of a queue waiting to go. It could be argued that a cyclist sat at the front of a HGV at lights is in a safer position because they have had more opportunity to clock them!

It's a quote from the article, not my opinion!

 

[LLB]

It's a quote from the article, not my opinion!

Ah, Ok

 

[LLB]

You know my view..they all mean green

Like this

 

[Origamist]

Ah, Ok

That said, I would like to see a trial in London.

 

[ChrisKH]

Sorry Mate, unless directed by a police/warden, Red should mean Red irrespective of whatever way you move about - especially when in a high density traffic situation like London.

Cyclists are at just as much risk riding up the side of a bus/HGV when the lights turn to Amber as they go along side as if they were sat at the front of a queue waiting to go. It could be argued that a cyclist sat at the front of a HGV at lights is in a safer position because they have had more opportunity to clock them!

Actually I'm not so sure. It works quite well in certain States in the US. Admittedly that's with all traffic, however with care, I think a left turn on a red is a possible solution. I have had to exceed the stop line and RLJ twice in recent weeks because two HGV's/dumper lorries had exceeded the ASL stop line at a RH LH turn and I couldn't be sure on entering what remained of the ASL that either driver could see me. With this rule in place I could do it legally.

 

[mr_cellophane]

So wrong.
This will encourage cyclists to move past vehicles waiting at red lights. If they fail to get to the lights before they change we all know the sad consequences which follow.

 

[Origamist]

So wrong.
This will encourage cyclists to move past vehicles waiting at red lights. If they fail to get to the lights before they change we all know the sad consequences which follow.

Nearly every cyclist I see does this anyway.

 

[4F]

Nearly every cyclist I see does this anyway.

Thats what I thought. I actually think that this idea could work. It seems to in the States.

 

[Origamist]

Thats what I thought. I actually think that this idea could work. It seems to in the States.

I have not ridden much in the US (NY and Boston only), but in the Netherlands where I have cycled more extensively, it worked fine too. That said, peds/cyclists/drivers tend to look out for each other over there!

 

[justAl]

If there is a cycle lane continuing round to the left it could work. Some roundabouts do a similar thing for all traffic.

 

[CotterPin]

I think this is as dopey as allowing motorbikes in bus lanes. It is setting up one group of roadusers to be in conflict with others.

In fact if I didn't know any better (which I don't) I would think Boris is deliberately stirring things.

 

[Origamist]

I think this is as dopey as allowing motorbikes in bus lanes. It is setting up one group of roadusers to be in conflict with others.

In fact if I didn't know any better (which I don't) I would think Boris is deliberately stirring things.

To be fair to old Boris - he did say that he wanted to introduce both (PTWs in bus lanes and cyclists - left on red) in his mayoral campaign 8 months ago.

 

[hackbike 6]

Don't agree with original article and Peds need to cross safely anyway.