Red light jumping - a confession

[Jake]

yes, 99% wait. only time i may go through a red is if its a Pelican crossing and there are no peds about. Of course its not through at full belt, rather crossed with caution, and usualy if there are no cars about

 

[hackbike 666]

Lucky I stopped at a traffic light today as the passenger side car door opened in front of me at Stratford and someone got out.

 

[hackbike 666]

In my defence, I wouldn't blatently jump red lights. I have at night, once or twice, gone through red lights at dead crossings (no cars for miles). Going into town the otherday the lights (bikes & buses only) were not changing. It'd of been quicker for me to follow the car route. I was tempted just to red light jump as i could be sitting there forever...btu eneded up being responsible and just walking my bike around the crossing.

If someone wants to go past an empty ped crossing I'm not going to get worked up over it...heck it makes sense that when no one is on it/about to cross you can go.

Had some silly old duffer cycling down from Leyton Tube....he already looks stupid cycling in the lowest gear to get over the top of Leyton Tube...the lowest gear possible...then I see him mount the pavement to go thropugh two sets of reds then get back on the road again afterwards...THEN I STILL CATCH THE STUPID OLD DUFFER UP.

I really think at his age he should know better.

Saying that I do believe it's legal to cycle on the pavement in Japan.

If someone wants to go past an empty ped crossing I'm not going to get worked up over it...heck it makes sense that when no one is on it/about to cross you can go.

Should that apply to motor vehicles or are we a special case because we can't wait and it suits us?

This thread actually sums up this country though doesn't it...also with my incident at Stratford.TOTAL IGNORANCE.

I didn't get one apology or even an acknowledgement that I was there.

It's normal isn't it.Then when there is an incident nobody will take any responsibility because it wasn't their fault even if they instigated it.

Im glad im going away to get away from this 5h1th0l3 next month.

 

[Jake]

i did see, on the way to richmond part one saturday, a guy riding his bike with kid on one of those back seats, go through a red light. Not a good example to set her I thought. but then its down to the argument about safety blah blah.

 

[hackbike 666]

Kids don't know any better do they?

I would have expected that stupid old duffer in Leyton to know better but looks like im wrong.

That's the problem,that sort of behaviour is copied.

 

[purplepolly]

will see what my average speed is and whether it justifies being known as the piranha on the road.

 

[purplepolly]

Dayum i burned rubber out there bet most people thought i was on a motorbike.
Started hammering it down like a bitch as well but i plowed through it.

Is it possible to die from laughing?

 

[ComedyPilot]

Why ride up to the lights on red and stop, just ease off earlier, roll up and go when they turn without having to stop or put the feet down.

Simple, innit?

 

[hackbike 666]

Why ride up to the lights on red and stop, just ease off earlier, roll up and go when they turn without having to stop or put the feet down.

Simple, innit?

Aye agreed.Lucky I was doing that tonight as the passenger door opened......

 

[thomas]

Should that apply to motor vehicles or are we a special case because we can't wait and it suits us?

Yes, it should apply equally. And I have seen motor vehicles go through red ped lights when there isn't anyone crossing or any peds near by.

Jumping reds isn't something I do, I might speed up for ambers and only just make it. At night, when the roads are empty I think a lot of junctions you should just be able to proceed through with caution.

Some places have flashing ambers (not uk), meaning, anyone can go across the junction - be careful. It seems silly to wait for a rotation of lights, when the road is empty at 2 in the morning with no one anywhere near by.

 

[purplepolly]

Yes, it should apply equally.

In that case shouldn't they also design road junctions that cater for us all equally?

Today I need to turn right at a crossroads through 3 lanes of fast moving traffic, practically impossible in rush hour when no-one will let you out. So I copied a manouevre that I saw another cyclist do a few weeks ago. I waited by the kerb until the lights went red, waited while the pedestrian crossed over, then went through the lights, swung right, stopped in front of the right hand turn lane and waited there until the lights changed.

Strictly speaking it's illegal, and yes I never do that in my car, but then there's no need to when I'm driving because other drivers will let me change lane.

 

[hackbike 666]

Yes, it should apply equally. And I have seen motor vehicles go through red ped lights when there isn't anyone crossing or any peds near by.

So have I but I have seen worse every day red light jumping by cyclists some of it bloody dangerous to other road users and peds.Yes I know cars do it sometimes.

Jumping reds isn't something I do, I might speed up for ambers and only just make it. At night, when the roads are empty I think a lot of junctions you should just be able to proceed through with caution.

Probably best to keep it illegal so when it does go wrong then the blame can't be thrown on the motorist unless of course it is the motorists fault.

What is the hurry?

Some places have flashing ambers (not uk), meaning, anyone can go across the junction - be careful. It seems silly to wait for a rotation of lights, when the road is empty at 2 in the morning with no one anywhere near by.

Where is this then?
Never noticed it in Japan/Hong Kong/Bangkok/Spain.
Why is everyone in such a bloody hurry.it's the same story with car drivers.Will do a dangerous overtake to save a few seconds instead of patience which im sure I noticed in Japan and Thailand when I cycled there.

 

[jig-sore]

Dayum i burned rubber out there bet most people thought i was on a motorbike.
Started hammering it down like a bitch as well but i plowed through it.

but.. WHAT WAS YOUR TIME / AVERAGE SPEED ????

 

[skwerl]

Some places have flashing ambers (not uk), meaning, anyone can go across the junction - be careful. It seems silly to wait for a rotation of lights, when the road is empty at 2 in the morning with no one anywhere near by.

Where is this then?

USA. Some minor junctions have the lights turned off when it's quiet and just have single, constantly-flashing amber warning light. I doubt it's to help ped and cyclists though - no such thing over there - it's just to allow traffic to treat the junction like a 4-way stop.

 

[hackbike 666]

Oh I see.