Left-turning cyclists could be exempt from stop signs

[marinyork]

I'm guessing some sort of legislation would be applied. In that point of view workwise it's much easier to apply for the principle rather than argue at several set of lights against a the principle going the other way and be told no, n times. For example in Sheffield a really big issue for cycling is the ever growing number of one way streets, no right turns or no entry signs making it increasingly difficult to cycle anywhere. It would take forever arguing against every one of these schemes or cost a fortune in frigging contraflow cycle lanes so people have argued there should automatically be an exception for cyclists.

I can't see much benefit to cylists on an automatic go left, there are however an interesting number of junctions knocking around the country that deal with the issue in different ways. I can see a benefit in a go straight on on a main road on a T junction when safe though.

Edit: actually that said there were a few junctions elsewhere I came across that would benefit enormously from a go left on red when safe but that's because the idiots designing the junction had laboriously long sequences of lights from the dreaded filter. You can't really win either way. You have filters and you give people additional safety but people RLJ. You don't have them and people are less likely to RLJ but more at risk of a collision. When I say RLJ I'm primarily talking about cars here.

 

[thomas]

I can't see much benefit to cylists on an automatic go left

I think the idea comes from the idea that the reason behind less men dying from cycling in London is that they jump red lights. Women died more because they didn't.

Though really, they could probably sort that out by having a campaign along the lines of "cycling on the inside of lorrys is another way you could commit suicide".

 

[marinyork]

I think the idea comes from the idea that the reason behind less men dying from cycling in London is that they jump red lights. Women died more because they didn't.

Though really, they could probably sort that out by having a campaign along the lines of "cycling on the inside of lorrys is another way you could commit suicide".

They could have corner cutters instead. There's certainly the pavement capacity for it in many places in London but then there are far more peds than anywhere else. Problem is would it lead to the same sort of behaviour - cutting along to get to the short cut?

 

[thomas]

I think there are obviously some potential down sides but I still like the idea.

 

[marinyork]

Maybe it's a good thing. Strangely enough I could see it working better outside of London than inside it. I just don't see the journey by bicycle as one mad dash and being oppressed by traffic lights on red - plenty of other people seem to. Sure there are a few cases of bad junction design and timings on lights weight significantly away from cyclists but in the bigger scheme of things I see go left on red as just encouraging the hurry, hurry, hurry culture. I'm glad the mayor of london is bringing up safety issues though.

 

[Dan B]

I'm all for it, though I think that the safety arguments are a bit dubious (as others have said, better to stay behind the tipper truck if you can't be sure you'll get past it before the lights change).

No, it's a convenience thing. Most traffic lights are installed to manage congestion, not for safety (a "GIVE WAY" or "STOP" sign would do that quite nicely) - why penalise cyclists for a problem not of their making?

 

[skrx]

Is it safer to filter to the very front of a queue (and risk problems if the lights change), or is it safer to filter and slot in a few cars back from the front of the queue?

If there's time, I usually go to the front of the queue (ahead of the leading vehicle).
1) I don't have to breath in someone's exhaust.
2) I save a little time.
3) The road often narrows from two lanes to one after the junction. I'd rather be ahead of the cars merging.
4) If I'm ahead of the leading car, no one can run me down turning left.

Of course, if the lights have been red for a long time, or there's no room to move down the left, or there's a long vehicle, or the queue is too long, or I can't be bothered, I stay in the queue.

 

[Dan B]

Painting the gutters green is already encouraging cyclists up the nearside of lorries (and making motorists believe it's where they "should" be). Making it legal to then jump the lights at least gives them a fighting chance of getting clear before the hgv moves off and crushes them.

I'm not trying to trivialise the safety aspects, but it seems to me that removing suicide lanes (and, probably, the ASLs they lead into) would probably do far more in this regard than anything else

 

[Mr Creosote]

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

It wouldn't be a bad idea. Some states in the USA permit turning right on a red if it is clear to your left. However, as a pedestrian it comes with a caveat...don't cross on the "walk" sign on the same side that cars will turn right on, they might not have seen you.

Something else that is quite radical that should be introduced in this country is certain intersections at night will have a flashing amber which means that you can proceed with caution but be prepared to stop.

 

[John Ponting]

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.

The video used on BBC 6 o'clock news had just this - cyclist rode up the inside of a lorry that was very clearly indicating left and then went straight on through the lights.

Very rarely see this happening where I live.

 

[John the Monkey]

The video used on BBC 6 o'clock news had just this - cyclist rode up the inside of a lorry that was very clearly indicating left and then went straight on through the lights.

Very rarely see this happening where I live.

See it quite a bit in Manchester - mostly from students (judging by the times of year they ride, age &c) - tends to be buses rather than HGVs along my commute.

(I've seen them whiz up the inside when the bus is pulling into a stop, which is all kinds of stupid).

 

[thomas]

Something else that is quite radical that should be introduced in this country is certain intersections at night will have a flashing amber which means that you can proceed with caution but be prepared to stop.

I like that. Nothing more annoying when lights are red, just because they've got a set time and nothing will change it. I'd rather have ambers than sensors I think.

 

[theboytaylor]

As well as, in my view, encouraging a dangerous action in going up the inside of a lorry/bus, I think it could increase the "them and us" attitude that you get from some road users.

It's either going to look like cyclists getting preferential treatment and allowing them to go "all over the fahking road" or it will be so badly advertised that other road users will just see cyclists cheating the lights and creating a danger. Peds probably aren't going to be informed about it either.....

I've actually written to Bojo, my London Assembly Member and my MP. Without going all P&L on you I've got to the point where I feel you can't just tut and shrug your shoulders when you hear about crackpot schemes that are being enacted in your name. If you live in or around London, I'd recommend you get in touch with the GLA - it's easy - whatever your view on this.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!!

 

[skrx]

I was unsure what to think, but I've now decided it's not a good idea. Pedestrians should be allowed to cross the road safely. I didn't like walking round cities in the USA, the "Walk" sign for pedestrians was more like "Look out for car drivers turning right against the red light who haven't seen you".

This is just BoJo trying to appeal to cyclists after all the things he's done that disadvantage them.

 

[thomas]

Well, make the law, that only I can turn left on every red. I promise not to cut up lots of peds...etc..etc...

Just because you can, doesn't mean you have to anyway. You could just sit tight.