Should cyclists be allowed to run red lights?

[mick1836]

The question is being asked in the media BBC and http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/oct/27/cyclists-run-red-lights-paris-london-san-francisco
What do you think?

 

[martint235]

No. Why can't we just be traffic like every other road user?

 

[theclaud]

No. Why can't we just be traffic like every other road user?

Cos bicycles and cars are not the same?

 

[Simontm]

Cos bicycles and cars are not the same?

Neither are HGVs and mopeds.
Unless you want completely segregated lanes, I'm with @martint235 , we are part of the traffic.

 

[Drago]

No new laws, at least not until the vast majority of cylists can demonstrate that they can obey current laws.

 

[wheresthetorch]

I think it's definitely worth a debate. Would save me stopping at a pedestrian crossing with no one on it, and having to try to clip back in on on a steep hill start!

Not sure it would work for level crossings though ....

 

[martint235]

Cos bicycles and cars are not the same?

Neither are HGVs and mopeds.
Unless you want completely segregated lanes, I'm with @martint235 , we are part of the traffic.

Wot he said. GWhizz's aren't the same as a Mercedes S Class, mopeds aren't the same as a Honda Fireblade. I don't think we can start dividing traffic up into multiple classes unless you segregate it and I really don't want that.

 

[glenn forger]

Yes. No "running" of reds would be involved, that's a stupid headline. It's been tried since 2009 in Bordeaux, later in Lille, Nantes and Strasbourg, then since 2013 on 526 trial intersections in Paris, without any increase in accidents being observed.

 

[Old jon]

No.

 

[Dogtrousers]

There was a phone in on radio 5 about this last night. Usual blather about red light jumping in London (justified, IMO) and hi vis (not, IMO). Nice lady from the CTC being very reasonable and a bit ineffectual. Cabbies being stereotypical cabbies. Then I turned it off before I got too irritated.

 

[numbnuts]

No I'm traffic too

 

[ianrauk]

Yes, but only on a left turn.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

What @ianrauk sed.

Yes. For turning left only. But Lahndahn pedestrians should be exempt from assault charges if, whilst crossing the road on a green man, they feel compelled to punch a left turning tragic hipster cockwomble who attempts to ride through them.

 

[winjim]

Yes, on specific signposted junctions and probably left turns. No, if it's used as an excuse to avoid implementing and enforcing other road safety measures.

I like the idea of rigidly following the rules as a form of protest.

 

[Dan B]

Wot he said. GWhizz's aren't the same as a Mercedes S Class, mopeds aren't the same as a Honda Fireblade. I don't think we can start dividing traffic up into multiple classes unless you segregate it and I really don't want that.

We already do divide traffic up into multiple classes. You can't drive a Mercedes S Class in a bus lane (unless it's a minicab), you can't drive a GWizz on a moped licence. I really don't see why the opposition to introducing different rules for different kinds of road user when we already have different rules for different classes of road user.