London RLJers: a non-scientific survey

[CopperBrompton]

After discussions of this a while back, I finally got around to doing my own very non-scientific survey. Riding from Liverpool Street to Holborn, I counted the number of cyclists who jumped red lights vs those who didn't at the red lights I encountered on my journey.

I erred on the side of conservatism by including in the non-RLJers those cyclists who had no clear route through to the lights, so no way to tell how many of them would have waited anyway and how many were trapped there.

The total counts were:

RLJers: 33
Non-RLJers: 57

So in my very non-scientific survey, the percentage of RLJing cyclists was 36%, which was a bit less than my prior guess of 40%.

I didn't attempt to count the non-RLJers for other vehicles, but there was one RLJing driver, and I'm sure it will come as a shock to all that it was a White Van Man.

 

[Evilcat]

My last commute (Shoreditch to Shepherds Bush segment via Pentonville Road, Euston Road and Westbourne Grove)...

RLJers: approx. 50
Non-RLJers: 1 (me)

3 cars jumped the red lights, all mini-cabs.

EC

 

[CharlieB]

My last commute (Shoreditch to Shepherds Bush segment via Pentonville Road, Euston Road and Westbourne Grove)...

RLJers: approx. 50
Non-RLJers: 1 (me)

3 cars jumped the red lights, all mini-cabs.

EC

I think that proportion is far nearer to what I see most mornings. I am totally surprised at the OP's findings, but it may be that it's simply more risky to RLJ in the City.

A guy this morning jumped every set (except Swiss Cottage) all the way from Kilburn to Regent's Park, and gained nothing, since I was at each set of lights when he went through.

Does it annoy me though? Too fcukin' right it does!

 

[zimzum42]

Relax. We're all just trying to get somewhere...

 

[adscrim]

I tend not to worry about RLJers, but is definitely annoys me when I see pedestrians or motorist having to take evasive action. I had words with a RLJer earlier this week, not so much because he was jumping the light, more because I had seen him scare an old lady witless a few months ago as he hopped a pavement to jump the lights and missed her by inches. I got the impression he was desperate to argue his case but that he knew I was right. Poor old lady probably thinks that all cyclists are a menace now.

I'd say my commute is 50:50 but my previous commute from Leyton to Liverpool Street was probably 70:30 to the RLJers.

 

[zimzum42]

Indeed, had to shout at a muppet today who made me and three lanes of traffic brake sharply, but when someone goes through sensibly, it doesn't bother me at all...

 

[Origamist]

Apologies for interpolating a few more robust studies:​

In this recent study, an average of 16% of cyclists violated a red light in London:

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Traffic Note 8 June 2007 - Proportion of Cyclists Who Violate Red Lights in London​

Table 16, above, summarises the number and proportion of cyclists who violated red lights at each site. A total of 7502 cyclists were surveyed across all of the sites. Of these, an average of 16% violated red lights, whilst the remaining 84% obeyed the traffic signals. Therefore it can be concluded that the majority of cyclists do not ride through red lights. However, the 16% that do must be discouraged from ignoring traffic signals.

See page 29: http://www.tfl.gov.u...-red-lights.pdf​

Another TRL study ‘Behaviour at Cycle Advance Stop Lines’ 2005, found cyclist non-compliance with traffic controlled signals (i.e RLJing) at an average of 18%. ​

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Source: http://www.tfl.gov.u...-stop-lines.pdf​

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I have come across another TFL/Atkins report: Advanced Stop Line Variations Research Study that looked at different sites and found a considerably higher number of RLJs across all sites - an average of 36% violated a red signal.​

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Source: http://www.tfl.gov.u...ober-011106.pdf​

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[CopperBrompton]

So the latter study got the same results as me. I'd have done it for half the cost.

 

[theclaud]

After discussions of this a while back, I finally got around to doing my own very non-scientific survey. Riding from Liverpool Street to Holborn, I counted the number of cyclists who jumped red lights vs those who didn't at the red lights I encountered on my journey.

I erred on the side of conservatism by including in the non-RLJers those cyclists who had no clear route through to the lights, so no way to tell how many of them would have waited anyway and how many were trapped there.

The total counts were:

RLJers: 33
Non-RLJers: 57

So in my very non-scientific survey, the percentage of RLJing cyclists was 36%, which was a bit less than my prior guess of 40%.

I didn't attempt to count the non-RLJers for other vehicles, but there was one RLJing driver, and I'm sure it will come as a shock to all that it was a White Van Man.

Just out of interest, would you include someone who waited ahead of the line, or who waited but then anticipated the change and went just before it, while it was still red? I'm kinda with Lee and Zimmers on this one, and am just checking that you're not being a bit too uptight.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Just out of interest, would you include someone who waited ahead of the line, or who waited but then anticipated the change and went just before it, while it was still red? I'm kinda with Lee and Zimmers on this one, and am just checking that you're not being a bit too uptight.

I didn't count as RLJers those who crossed the stop line but then waited short of the junction (if I'd done that, I'd guess the figure would be nearer 80%).

And to be consistent, I didn't count as motorised RLJers those who entered cycling advanced stop line areas (again, if I'd done that, I'd guess a very high percentage).

I did count those who stopped but set off again while the lights were still red (some of whom set off just before the lights changed, others set off mid-cycle).

 

[zimzum42]

I don't get why anyone would have a problem with waiting over the line...

 

[Origamist]

Just out of interest, would you include someone who waited ahead of the line, or who waited but then anticipated the change and went just before it, while it was still red? I'm kinda with Lee and Zimmers on this one, and am just checking that you're not being a bit too uptight.

TC you know people take RLJing very, very, very seriously on cycling fora. Therefore, please use the correct colloquialisms for the above two categories: RLJ Creep and RLJ Preemption!

 

[theclaud]

TC you know people take RLJing very seriously on cycling fora. Therefore, please use the correct colloquialisms for the above two categories: RLJ Creep and RLJ Preemption!

Duly chastened! I'm a regular offender on both counts. Is some form of self-flagellation required?

 

[zimzum42]

Duly chastened! I'm a regular offender on both counts. Is some form of self-flagellation required?

She asks in hope...

 

[theclaud]

She asks in hope...

Actually Zimmers, mortification of the flesh really isn't my thing. But I know it goes down well in Commuting, so I'm just trying to fit in...