Red lights

[wmtlynx]

Hi everyone, having been commuting for a short while now I am beginning to see why some cyclists jump red lights. Some of you may know this, but I have noticed that some traffic lights are automatic with sensors on, and do not turn to green unless there is a vehicle in the sensor area. The set at Redditch Fire Station are starting to get on my nerves a bit, as I have to wait for a motor vehicle to come behind me before I can proceed. So far I have only cycled during sociable hours, but at some point I could be stood there in the dark for ages. Anyone else noticed this?

 

[al78]

Hi everyone, having been commuting for a short while now I am beginning to see why some cyclists jump red lights. Some of you may know this, but I have noticed that some traffic lights are automatic with sensors on, and do not turn to green unless there is a vehicle in the sensor area. The set at Redditch Fire Station are starting to get on my nerves a bit, as I have to wait for a motor vehicle to come behind me before I can proceed. So far I have only cycled during sociable hours, but at some point I could be stood there in the dark for ages. Anyone else noticed this?

Yes, I've had that problem myself. I filled in an online form about it on the district council's web site (report a fault page) and they sorted it out.

 

[slowmotion]

Keep one of these in your saddle bag.

 

[gaz]

I've only come across a handful of lights which use sensors in the road.
Most are either on timers or have sensors on top of the lights.
Usually you can see the sensor in the road, and if you ride over the sensor then the light will shortly change.

I think most people cycle through red lights because they can't be bothered to stop and start again.

 

[YahudaMoon]

You can always dismount the bike and walk of what sometimes is the quicker option

 

[sabian92]

You are allowed to jump the lights if they're faulty - E.G. if they aren't picking up traffic. I'd still rather walk across though as a bus may come along and kill you mid RLJ.

 

[Mushroomgodmat]

I know of one of these on my commute home (Norwich) - 9/10 it's fine as I'm in traffic and it's rush hour. Occasionally though if I work late, when I leave work this particular junction/road can be very empty. It's the only set of lights I do jump, and i only jump it once mayby twice a month, but the only other option is to sit at an empty junction for 5-10 minutes before a car arrives.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

I had trouble with a set of lights for a few years till I reported it,then I moved about a year later so I no longer use them.

 

[Red Light]

I'd still rather walk across though as a bus may come along and kill you mid RLJ.

Think about that. You have looked before you crossed but missed seeing the bus so set off. Are you more likely to be hit crossing the road slowly as a pedestrian or quickly as a cyclist?

 

[summerdays]

If they fail to detect you then they are not working correctly so proceed with caution - drivers from other directions will not necessarily expect you to be going through the red light.

I had a problem set that lasted for a couple of years but have finally been fixed - it was only usually a problem at quieter times of day. Make sure you look for the induction loops in the ground - they don't normally extend over to the pavement so if you are riding too close to the pavement you might miss them - though occasionally I've noticed some that seem to be specific to a cycle lane. And I gather the best place to cross them is near the edge?

 

[sabian92]

Think about that. You have looked before you crossed but missed seeing the bus so set off. Are you more likely to be hit crossing the road slowly as a pedestrian or quickly as a cyclist?

You won't have hit the red light at full pelt so you'll be accelerating from a standing start, and plus anyway you can use the ped crossing which almost always have a button that stops the lights from going green. If you did hit it at full speed then you wouldn't have time to check if there was traffic and you couldn't use the excuse "they don't detect cyclists" because you won't have stopped to find out.

I'd rather walk over via the ped crossing and then get on again after the lights but that's me.