Police stopping RLJers this morning...

[whitebait]

Don't know if anyone spotted this, but I saw a chap get nabbed after RLJing somewhere* in South West London. They seemed to have caught a few, one copper taking details and the other beckoning RLJers over. Not sure whether they were fining them, stern talking to or what but glad to see they do take some action over RLJing! Would be nice to see them nab Boris next...

*Exact location redacted to keep you on your toes!

 

[BentMikey]

Suggestion: Could we not mention the junction location? It's a bit akin to motons warning oncoming motorists about a speed trap they just passed through.

 

[SportMonkey]

What's so bad about RLJ on a bike - doesn't it depend on the junction?

If you've got a cycle path that's unbroken and the junction is for a road coming on from the right? Or if it's for a crossing that no one is using?

 

[sabian92]

What's so bad about RLJ on a bike - doesn't it depend on the junction?

If you've got a cycle path that's unbroken and the junction is for a road coming on from the right? Or if it's for a crossing that no one is using?

Yes, but you still see people RLJing when it's not unbroken. I stop and wait, I don't see why risking being killed jumping a red light is worth doing to save a minute or so.

 

[Gandalf]

What's so bad about RLJ on a bike - doesn't it depend on the junction?

If you've got a cycle path that's unbroken and the junction is for a road coming on from the right? Or if it's for a crossing that no one is using?

Well it's illegal for starters.

It is also means that I have to spend my life listening to the tired manta "all cyclists ignore the rules of the road and jump red lights".

 

[Jezston]

Just out of interest, do they catch everyone they spot RLJing when they do these crackdowns?

Or do the hardened RLJers just respond to the request to pull over afterwards with abuse and buggering off?

 

[Jezston]

Yes, but you still see people RLJing when it's not unbroken. I stop and wait, I don't see why risking being killed jumping a red light is worth doing to save a minute or so.

More like 20 seconds.

 

[whitebait]

Suggestion: Could we not mention the junction location? It's a bit akin to motons warning oncoming motorists about a speed trap they just passed through.

Fair point, was umming and aahing a bit about that before I posted. Location removed!

Also, I too was wondering what'd happen if they just rode on by. Didn't see any pedal bobbies or any police cars nearby...

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Well said

Well it's illegal for starters.

It is also means that I have to spend my life listening to the tired manta "all cyclists ignore the rules of the road and jump red lights".

 

[Wankelschrauben]

What are the rules if a set of traffic lights doesn't recognise a cyclist as waiting vehicle and is set by default to cross rather than to allow traffic through?

Or, what is the rule for a traffic light that has a cycle lane starting and then ending after 10 feet purely to cross the lights to turn left.

I ask because the traffic light system in Maidstone is still based upon the historic form of weight sensors under the road and as such, a cyclist is not recognised as waiting traffic. These minature length cycle lanes have cropped up on a few of the culprit traffic light crossings.

Are these here to allow cyclists to cross at any time if turning left, that is what I've been using them for, and yes it has caused arguments with waiting traffic trying to block the lane.

 

[Davidc]

What are the rules if a set of traffic lights doesn't recognise a cyclist as waiting vehicle and is set by default to cross rather than to allow traffic through?

Or, what is the rule for a traffic light that has a cycle lane starting and then ending after 10 feet purely to cross the lights to turn left.

If the lights don't detect a cycle that's a fault. All traffic lights should have metal detecting sensors under the road or radar type motion detectors. If they definitely don't detect you you can go past the red light with care. (Report them to the local authority if they've failed to detect a metal framed bike) The same applies in a motor vehicle if the lights don't change. I gather from a friend with a carbon fibre framed bike that in his case that's most traffic lights.

(The old weight sensors were above the road and were very good at detecting bikes - under the road means they're a metal sensing loop)

The cycle lanes thing - look in the highway code, it comes down to the presence and location of white lines across the road. I had it explained by a highways engineer when I asked why some cycle lanes had lost the line, but lost the will to live when he started on the theory behind it.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I would suggest asking Maidenhead Council or the local Traffic Police for a definite answer.

What are the rules if a set of traffic lights doesn't recognise a cyclist as waiting vehicle and is set by default to cross rather than to allow traffic through?

Or, what is the rule for a traffic light that has a cycle lane starting and then ending after 10 feet purely to cross the lights to turn left.

I ask because the traffic light system in Maidstone is still based upon the historic form of weight sensors under the road and as such, a cyclist is not recognised as waiting traffic. These minature length cycle lanes have cropped up on a few of the culprit traffic light crossings.

Are these here to allow cyclists to cross at any time if turning left, that is what I've been using them for, and yes it has caused arguments with waiting traffic trying to block the lane.

 

[Dan B]

If you want to know what was in the heads of Maidenhead Council when they installed it, you could ask them. If you want to know the law, the only reliable way is to ask the judge. All too many highway authorities are apparently incapable of designing road signage at junctions that is legally meaningful or legally enforceable, and for some reason it's usually the cycle lanes that get the worst of it. My theory is that we're perceived as "toy" vehicles and given to the traffic planners children as an alternative to Hornby/Scalectrix

 

[Wankelschrauben]

The problem with asking the local law enforcement is that it differs from officer to officer.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Yes in retrospect I stand corrected. As the above post stated as a Judge on the legal issues. Only way to be truly sure.

The problem with asking the local law enforcement is that it differs from officer to officer.