Red lights and some bikers grrrrrr!

[User482]

The original post was about cyclists not cars and the motorist versus cyclist debate is a non starter since many of us drive as well as bike. I think it's driving a car that's conditioned me from going through any red light! Further, I'd say car driving has made me a better biker as I know where drivers blind spots are and anticipate traffic conditions much further up the road.

A cyclist RLJ'ing can potentially cause just as much carnage as a car, it's just that he won't live to know about it afterwards.

Yes, but on average, it won't. And that's the point. In a list of things to worry about, cyclist RLJing is a long way down. It's irritating, but much less dangerous than lots of other things we see on the road every single day.

 

[Fish on a bike]

I guess our list of what we find irritating/dangerous on the road is open to individual interpretation.

Yes, but on average, it won't. And that's the point. In a list of things to worry about, cyclist RLJing is a long way down. It's irritating, but much less dangerous than lots of other things we see on the road every single day.

 

[Brandane]

I think RLJ'ing is one of those things that comes down to common sense. Traffic conditions; amount of pedestrians using crossings; junction lay-out etc. etc..

I don't cycle often in big cities, but I have done and for the most part will not RLJ because of the dangers involved. However on a quiet road with no traffic around, where's the harm as long as you treat it like a Give Way?

As someone else pointed out in any case, in heavy traffic cyclists can be a source of frustration and annoyance to other road users when they find their way to the front of queue of traffic, and then wait for the lights to change before crawling off and getting in everyones way. In SOME circumstances, is it not SAFER to RLJ and get a bit of a head start on the rest of the traffic?

I fully expect a flaming for the above theory, but I speak as a retired Police Officer (yes I know what the law says about RLJ'ing, but do it safely and I doubt very much whether anyone would have a problem with it; there's a whole lot worse things to worry about), now a class 1 HGV driver, car driver with 30 years experience, motorcyclist AND cyclist (of 40+ years experience). I would reiterate that each decision on whether to RLJ or not has to be weighed up on its' own merits, and COMMON SENSE must prevail.

 

[DrSquirrel]

I don't doubt (without reading) that your theory is wrong per se, but the main problem is it's illegal.

In a perfectly ideal world we wouldn't need lights and such like this - but alas we (as a whole both cyclists, motorists and whatever you want to do) cannot be trusted.

If we ever get the Left on Red rule - I reckon the country will decent into chaos - also more bullying from motorists towards pedestrians as many don't realise that you have to give way to crossing pedestrians within a junction

 

[Jezston]

As someone else pointed out in any case, in heavy traffic cyclists can be a source of frustration and annoyance to other road users when they find their way to the front of queue of traffic, and then wait for the lights to change before crawling off and getting in everyones way. In SOME circumstances, is it not SAFER to RLJ and get a bit of a head start on the rest of the traffic?

I fully expect a flaming for the above theory, but I speak as a retired Police Officer (yes I know what the law says about RLJ'ing, but do it safely and I doubt very much whether anyone would have a problem with it; there's a whole lot worse things to worry about), now a class 1 HGV driver, car driver with 30 years experience, motorcyclist AND cyclist (of 40+ years experience). I would reiterate that each decision on whether to RLJ or not has to be weighed up on its' own merits, and COMMON SENSE must prevail.

This argument has been presented before. Yes you may slow someone in a car's accelleration off the lights if you are in front of them on a bike, but it's hardly cripplingly inconvenience causing. If you thought that guy behind you revving his engine was likely to deliberately ram you when the lights turn green then dismount and get off the road and let the caveman stress himself into an early grave. But I can't imagine anyone ACTUALLY doing that, as it'll only slow him down more if there's a bike and rider tangled up under his front wheels.

 

[DrSquirrel]

This argument has been presented before. Yes you may slow someone in a car's accelleration off the lights if you are in front of them on a bike, but it's hardly cripplingly inconvenience causing. If you thought that guy behind you revving his engine was likely to deliberately ram you when the lights turn green then dismount and get off the road and let the caveman stress himself into an early grave. But I can't imagine anyone ACTUALLY doing that, as it'll only slow him down more if there's a bike and rider tangled up under his front wheels.

+1

I always reckon that if someone was revving up like that (or swerving etc) to threaten you and actually hits you - actually hitting you is more likely to be a mistake than intentional - because I don't think they REALLY want to hit you, just scare you.