Red Light

[Skipper]

OK, so as a driver I'm one of the safest (or like to think so). But as a cyclist those annoying red traffic lights just get in the way. I ride early mornings when there is very little on the road, so what do you do when you come to a red light? Wait patiently without a car in sight, or sneak over keeping a close eye in all directions? I mean .... there's no danger with not a soul to be seen.
What about when there are a few cars around? Do you mount the pavement, cross the red light as a pedestrian, then rejoin the road the other side of the lights? This can save lots of time when the lights are on red for minutes at a time!
Let's stay safe people, but can we bend the road rules a bit?

 

[Booyaa]

Nope, always stop and wait at a red light.

 

[Night Train]

A safe driver you say? What stops you from sneaking across a red light in a car when there is no one about?

Red means stop, for everyone's safety. You shouldn't be looking to bend the rules, you wouldn't like it if a motor vehicle driver did likewise.

However, if I find myself at a red light that hasn't been triggered by my presence, and there is no traffic, then I will get off my bike and walk, as a pedestrian, across the pedestrian crossing at the junction before remounting and continuing on my way. Otherwise I wait.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I guess 10 pages. *popcorn*

 

[Dan B]

I jump red lights whenever there's a big enough ramp

 

[mattobrien]

You need to upgrade to the new generation of Di2 groupsets, the better ones come with a special button to turn red lights to green

 

[Drago]

Even I can't be arsed with this one any more.

 

[4F]

I am traffic Red means stop.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Common sense and conscience. That's all I'm saying.

 

[Drago]

I am traffic Red means stop.

Red means commies.

 

[Paddygt]

Stop means stop, bit of a no brainer really. If you have a problem with the law, then campaigne to get it changed not break it.

 

[Dan B]

Stop means stop

Unless you're a pedestrian. Or a horse rider, possibly (not sure). Or a roller skater. Or a cyclist who is pushing his bike (not not one who is scooting it with a foot on the pedal). What if you're in a pram? A wheelchair? A class 3 mobility scooter?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Red = stop (though I will confess to getting seriously frustrated when pedestrain press the button cross on their red and the lights change and stop you for nothing but I still stop and wait)

 

[lulubel]

It depends. On early morning (6am) commutes through the middle of Penzance, when there was no-one about except one random pedestrian who pushed the button then strolled across, leaving the lights to go red in front of you, I'd just ride through the red lights. As far as I'm concerned, it would be pretty stupid to stop at a red pedestrian light when there are no other vehicles or pedestrians around. At other times, or at lights that controlled traffic, I'd stop.

Nowadays, in this part of Spain, is a different matter. RLJing is the cultural norm here, and everyone (including motorists) expects cyclists to go through the light as long as it's clearly totally safe to do so rather than hanging around at the stop line. There are still some lights I stop at, in busy areas or on major roads, where I can't be sure it's safe, but I go through most of them.

 

[benb]

I've said it before: I think red lights should act as give way junctions for cyclists. That is, they would be allowed to go through if it is safe to do so, and it's their responsibility for that.

But - I don't think cyclists should break the law; I think we should change the law.