RLJ-ing: A Minority Pastime?

[Davidsw8]

I'd guess I see about 40% of RLJers on my London wanderings. I'd love to know whether seeing one person stop has an effect on the riders behind - I'm sure it does have a small effect but without filming a junction over a long period I can't know how big that effect is.

Hi

From what I've seen, it's a very marginal effect, if any. The set of lights outside Kennington Tube are on the main route through South London up to the City and I'd say maybe 60% stop at the lights - there seems to be the ones who've stopped (and not raced to beat the light) and then the ones who whizz by them on a blatant red, they don't seem to be fazed weaving through the stationary cyclists...

 

[Davidsw8]

It's definitely got a lot more dangerous to cycle around London over the past 10-15 years. Circa 1997, I used to cycle 10 miles (Wimbledon to Whitehall) every day for about a year and I remember one close call with a taxi.

I started cycling again to work and back in Feb this year and my commute is about 4 miles, I encounter appalling driving from motorists, inconsiderate cyclists and mental peds every time I get on the bike.

Obviously, this is down to the massive increase in people using the roads over the last few years but I always think, if we just acted decently and followed the rules, we'd all get where we want to go at exactly the same time AND in one piece AND in a much better mood. Imagine that!!

 

[martint235]

This is definitely just perception but it seems to go in cycles (). I found around 2005 - 2007 that motorists became better behaved then it went downhill a bit. Now it seems to be improving again. As I say it's just perception.

I'd add that the improvement was probably awareness that there were more cyclists then came the resentment that we got places quicker and tended to be in the way more and now I think we're getting acceptance that drivers just have to get along with us.

 

[J.Primus]

I saw 1 van and 1 car RLJ during one 20 minute journey this morning. Bloody motorist jumping red lights, they shouldn't be allowed on the road!

 

[Recycle]

I notice fewer RLJ'ers on HW7 than on other routes I use. HW7 carries a lot of cyclists and I wonder if peer pressure is involved?i.e., if a few cyclists stop at the lights then others are less likely to jump the lights because they feel they are being judged.

 

[Davidsw8]

I notice fewer RLJ'ers on HW7 than on other routes I use. HW7 carries a lot of cyclists and I wonder if peer pressure is involved?i.e., if a few cyclists stop at the lights then others are less likely to jump the lights because they feel they are being judged.

HW7 was the section outside Kennington Tube I was referring to earlier. I only cross that road by foot with my bike and that one small section is rife with RLJ'ers. This is usually about 7.30am-ish.

 

[Twilkes]

I used to go through pedestrian lights that I could see were safe to go through, until I turned left onto Princes Street in Edinburgh once and almost went over an old lady. After that I never did it.

I also used to use pedestrian crossings to get across junctions that were on red, but half the time it wasn't worth the effort so now just sit on the reds.

So in summary, I now cycle like my dad.

Edinburgh cyclists seem pretty good, although I'm usually the only cyclist on any particular set of lights so rarely see anyone RL-anything.

 

[veloevol]

If I'm doing a commute with lots of commuting cyclists I find it's a small percentage that RLJ but a half hour before or a half hour after then I'd say more than 50% are at it.

Edit* This is in London of course

 

[Cyclopathic]

I have voted 50/50. A heck of a lot of London cyclists RLJ.

A heck of a lot of London drivers RLJ. I've seen it a lot more when I've been down in that London than I do out here in the provinces.

 

[newfhouse]

This is definitely just perception but it seems to go in cycles (). I found around 2005 - 2007 that motorists became better behaved then it went downhill a bit. Now it seems to be improving again. As I say it's just perception.

I'd add that the improvement was probably awareness that there were more cyclists then came the resentment that we got places quicker and tended to be in the way more and now I think we're getting acceptance that drivers just have to get along with us.

Don't forget that many, probably most, of the additional cyclists are also car drivers. I'm definitely a better behaved and more considerate motorist since getting back on the bike. I doubt I'm alone.

Re the original question I can only speak for my commute up and down the A23 where I estimate less than one in five RLJ at traffic lights but noticeably worse, perhaps fifty percent, on pedestrian crossings.

 

[Milo]

Most in London. Less in Bath. Not many were I live but then not so many red lights or cyclists.

 

[nigelnorris]

Hi
I've seen a number of discussion on RLJ-ing and it seems that here, it's generally frowned on which to me would indicate it's something only the idiotic minority engage in.
..

On my commute I'd say most of us do, so it seems to me that it's generally accepted, which would by your logic imply that it's only the idiot minority that complain about it.

In heavy traffic, surrounded by heavy vehicles themselves shooting the lights, it's often by far the safest way to get about, deal with it.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

On my commute I'd say most of us do, so it seems to me that it's generally accepted, which would by your logic imply that it's only the idiot minority that complain about it.

In heavy traffic, surrounded by heavy vehicles themselves shooting the lights, it's often by far the safest way to get about, deal with it.

It isn't.

A heck of a lot of London drivers RLJ. I've seen it a lot more when I've been down in that London than I do out here in the provinces.

Two wrongs do not make a right.

 

[Crankarm]

Any cyclist who RLJs across my path risks being taken out as I will not stop. Candidates for Darwin Awards IMHO. Red lights mean STOP for everyone's safety - those who are required to stop and those who are proceeding on green. Period. And if cyclists RLJ a pedestrian crossing and I am crossing carrying a brolly it will go straight through their wheels.

 

[Dan B]

Any cyclist who RLJs across my path risks being taken out as I will not stop.

Really, what part of 'go if the way is clear' are you not understanding?