Temporary traffic light dilema

[sidevalve]

A couple of points "from" the other side. The "cop out" cyclists dismount sign is often a simple attempt to try and prevent cyclists riding when the road may be covered in gravel/grit/ rubble or a temp surface. If you would prefer to ride on such surfaces please do so but don't get upset if you either fall/puncture.
Beware going through on red - the lights may be "three" way ie another road may be timed to enter the section and you could find yourself facing oncoming traffic.
As for entering the coned off section just don't - there is no obligation to keep this area fit for traffic [and yes that includes bicycles] so it may have 6in drops, trenches, blocks even tools in the way. Further if you have a crash it will be your fault.
Lastly if there is work going on remember the workmen are not looking out for impatient cyclists inside the work area. that's what the cones are for.

 

[John the Monkey]

As for entering the coned off section just don't - there is no obligation to keep this area fit for traffic [and yes that includes bicycles] so it may have 6in drops, trenches, blocks even tools in the way. Further if you have a crash it will be your fault.
Lastly if there is work going on remember the workmen are not looking out for impatient cyclists inside the work area. that's what the cones are for.

Useful advice, thank you - I feel quite chastened that I have used the coned area before now.

 

[Beebo]

I often ride inside the workman's cones, if there is space and not dangerous.

 

[fossyant]

I stick to the road. Even when it says cyclists use the pavement. I have a road bike so it stays on the road.

 

[benb]

These should be mandatory where there are roadworks.

 

[TVC]

Wait until green and ride through. Sometimes, if there's only one or two cars behind me, I'll wave them past before I go.

That is my strategy, it seems to make drivers happy.

 

[Crackle]

It depends is the answer. I had one on a hill, no way around it, no room for passing. I never had a problem there as most drivers could see the veins popping behind my eyes as I levered off from the lights. Sometimes I've gone through on small ones where I don't trigger the light, despite waving wildly at the magic eye, sometimes used the roadworks section if there's no one in it, sometimes got off and walked, sometimes changed my route and occasionally been told to go through the closed road by workmen but to just watch out.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

It's the lights (both temporary & permanent) that can't sense cyclists that annoy me

Thankfully, they've been replaced now, but I had a set on my commute for years, that couldn't see me (induction loops in road?)
They were on a humpbacked bridge over the Aire & Calder Navigation Canal, that had been narrowed to one lane, as part of weight restrictions

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1401303

 

[Brandane]

These should be mandatory where there are roadworks.

It shouldn't need signs to explain it.

 

[rich p]

What do you do on a section that is too long for you to get through before the lights change back?
It's happened to me a couple of times.

 

[fimm]

As it happens I had some this morning. To start with I was going to let the couple of cars behind me through, but I must have just missed the green (I had arrived first at the red) because by the time we got a green there was a reasonable queue, so I just went first and did my best Mark Cavendish impression (that'll be Mark Cavendish on a 10 tonne bike towing an elephant) aided by the fact that it was downhill. Anyway the driver of the car behind me must have had some sort of problem because I got to the (permanent) lights at the bottom of the hill quite a long way ahead of them!

Going home up the hill I will probably just sit in the queue and use any cars behind me for protection.

I did once let a queue of cars behind me at some temporary lights through, only for the lights to change before I got through! That taught me to be a bit less polite...

 

[wheeliebin]

What do you do on a section that is too long for you to get through before the lights change back?
It's happened to me a couple of times.

Happened to me too. On a section round here I even tried sprinting through out of the saddle as soon as the lights went green, still didn't make it, cue angry looks from the drivers sitting on a green light the other way. After that I gave up and rode through the other side of the cones. Thankfully roadworks gone now, disappeared just before the Women's Tour came through.

 

[Beebo]

It shouldn't need signs to explain it.

That's Tooley Street, just by London Bridge Station. It's a very busy road, popular with cyclists and suicidal pedestrians.
In the rush hour I exepect cyclists outnumber other road users. The traffic can be quite manic around there so whilst I agree the signs shouldnt be needed, it is quite welcome to stop buses taxis and all manner other other idiots trying to overtake.

 

[benb]

It shouldn't need signs to explain it.

True, but it sure beats "Cyclists Dismount"

 

[subaqua]

That's Tooley Street, just by London Bridge Station. It's a very busy road, popular with cyclists and suicidal pedestrians.
In the rush hour I exepect cyclists outnumber other road users. The traffic can be quite manic around there so whilst I agree the signs shouldnt be needed, it is quite welcome to stop buses taxis and all manner other other idiots trying to overtake.

it is also an old picture as the lights on No 1 London bridge ( middle top) were removed in 2012. by moi .