Waiting for Red lights in London.

[glasgowcyclist]

You don't need to stop at the sign. You need to stop before crossing the line. Not actually at the line. Just at some point before crossing it. Subtleties are the cyclists' friend.

Let me be unsubtle: are you taking the piss?

 

[Dan B]

Because that would be insane, even if it's legal.

You seem to be suggesting that cars and bikes are in some way not the same

 

[jefmcg]

You seem to be suggesting that cars and bikes are in some way not the same

Yes, one weighs 100x the other.

 

[mustang1]

Very true, it's about perspective.

Agree, perspective. But everyone has different perspective. If one person's perspective isn't the same as mine, they will think the other person is wrong.

 

[Milkfloat]

and that we mustn't cycle across zebras (legalised in general 2016 and occasionally beforehand).

Legalised in 2016? Can you expand on this please, are you saying it is legal to ride across a Zebra from pavement to pavement, I thought it was only allowed on a Toucan?

 

[mjr]

Legalised in 2016? Can you expand on this please, are you saying it is legal to ride across a Zebra from pavement to pavement, I thought it was only allowed on a Toucan?

Again my short summary wasn't the whole story. Sorry. Technically, it's always been legal to ride over a zebra (the painted bit is just carriageway which you were allowed to ride on anyway as long as basically not hitting pedestrians) but there's now a version with slightly different markings where the carriageway traffic should stop for cycles too, as seen at http://cycle.st/p84611

 

[Milkfloat]

Again my short summary wasn't the whole story. Sorry. Technically, it's always been legal to ride over a zebra (the painted bit is just carriageway which you were allowed to ride on anyway as long as basically not hitting pedestrians) but there's now a version with slightly different markings where the carriageway traffic should stop for cycles too, as seen at http://cycle.st/p84611

Ahh ok, I get you. I thought that these had been around before 2016 though?

 

[mustang1]

Yes, the name isn't helpful. I deliberately said "some form of Idaho stop" in recognition of the variations that have been implemented elsewhere. Eg Wikipedia mentions the Paris implementation, which allows cyclists to pass red traffic lights.

If introduced in the UK there would have to be a campaign of driver education first. Actually, most UK drivers need educating...

If the drivers need educating, it's only to stop them getting annoyed about cyclists going thru red lights. A PR thing. But you're right, they need educating on a whole host of road-related issues and they can start with the "they don't pay road tax" brigade.

 

[mustang1]

Call me old-fashioned but I stop at red lights.

In fact, I'm probably one of the few people (in a car or on a bike) who comes to a stop at this type of sign too.
Most seem to treat it as optional.

View attachment 364541

I always stop at those lines too coz it was drummed into me thats what I must do while I was in USA but only coz they're are cops nearby waiting to ticket you.

There wasn't nearly as much pressure to stop at red lights as there was at stop signs.

 

[Tim Hall]

Yes, the name isn't helpful. I deliberately said "some form of Idaho stop" in recognition of the variations that have been implemented elsewhere. Eg Wikipedia mentions the Paris implementation, which allows cyclists to pass red traffic lights.

If introduced in the UK there would have to be a campaign of driver education first. Actually, most UK drivers need educating...

Just imagine what would happen if everyone had their own interpretation of an Idaho Stop. Everyone would be living in their own private Idaho.

 

[Barbuda]

Wish the London attitude to stopping on red would be adopted the the folk of Edinburgh. Since moving here it seems that I am the only one who stops.

 

[slowmotion]

Just imagine what would happen if everyone had their own interpretation of an Idaho Stop. Everyone would be living in their own private Idaho.

...and roaming....
[media]

]View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNwC0sp-uA4[/media]

 

[Barbuda]

I stop also ☺ I lived in Germany for a few years though.Everybody waits for the green light there

 

[Wobblers]

For anyone who says you absolutely must not go on red, how do you deal with as stuck red traffic light (like I was the other day)? Like do you just sit at the lights hoping they'll change within the next 30 minutes or do you go? And if it's ok to go on a stuck red light, why do you not go on a normally functioning red light?

I know where are a few lights that will not change for you - but do so instantly when a car appears. They just don't detect cyclists, so you could wait there forever. I must confess I treat those as a give way, the scofflaw that I am...

 

[KnackeredBike]

I know where are a few lights that will not change for you - but do so instantly when a car appears. They just don't detect cyclists, so you could wait there forever. I must confess I treat those as a give way, the scofflaw that I am...

The ones around here wait fifteen seconds then change the lights. So they do detect you, they are just programmed to piss everyone off, most of all cyclists, by making them stop.