Red lights and cyclists

ahillsy

jd87 wrote: »

A car driver took exception to me the other day and shouted at me from his window (completely taking his concentration off the road). Who was right, me or him?

You jumped a red light (you were in the wrong), car driver was annoyed as they saw you seem to think you're not subject to the laws of the road (he was perfectly entitled to be) so he shouted at you (concentration off the road = he was in the wrong). You are feeling annoyed because he shouted at you, so look for reassurance here - but your actions caused the car driver's reaction, so really you annoyed yourself.

Suppose the near identical situation:
"You are in your car and stop for a red light at a pedestrian crossing. Everyone has finished crossing, there's nobody else around about to cross, and there are no side roads or any other complications to worry about. There is absolutely no real reason to not proceed, other than the red light."
The answer is obvious - if you were behind a car that went through, you'd be annoyed at them. What about a moped? Same answer.

Mankysteve

custardy wrote: »

having watched the video
bunch of idiots,they have skills and fitness but utter disregard for everyone around them

Never mind a disregard for people around them they got a series disregard for themselves.

custardy

Mankysteve wrote: »

Never mind a disregard for people around them they got a series disregard for themselves.

I dont mind if they wantto smash their brains over the road
its the others who suffer
the trauma a car driver could suffer after hitting them for example
they could easily kill a pedestrian with their cycling

jd87

Hmm I think I expected this thread to turn like this. I acknowledge the point that if it's ok for the bike to go, why isn't it ok for the car, but then a car weighs a ton and accelerates quickly - a bike doesn't. I'm sorry but all the science (and common sense) supports the cyclist here.

Remember that in some countries red lights are a guideline, for example in some US states you can turn "right on red" for example. Is it really so wrong to let the road user make some judgements for themselves?

ahillsy: I wasn't "looking for reassurance" from this thread. I just thought it would be interesting to spark some debate.

skiddlydiddly

You compare a 1+ ton car to a 100kg+ bike and rider and try to justify going through red on the grounds of potential damage done.I cold compare the damage I could do next to an HGV and yet I still don't think I should be able to go through red lights while they wait.

custardy

jd87 wrote: »

Hmm I think I expected this thread to turn like this. I acknowledge the point that if it's ok for the bike to go, why isn't it ok for the car, but then a car weighs a ton and accelerates quickly - a bike doesn't. I'm sorry but all the science (and common sense) supports the cyclist here.

Remember that in some countries red lights are a guideline, for example in some US states you can turn "right on red" for example. Is it really so wrong to let the road user make some judgements for themselves?

ahillsy: I wasn't "looking for reassurance" from this thread. I just thought it would be interesting to spark some debate.

in some countries but not this one
If you want to disregard the rules of the road
then dismount and cross over as a pedestrian
the mount up and cycle off
a car can go accross a red light at cycle speeds and i can out accelerate most cars off the lights
so i dont recognise your point on speed

Billy-no-Money

A bit off-topic, but as a cyclist and motorcyclist I always stop for red lights - simple enough.

However, there are some junctions where at quiet times (e.g. midnight - 6am) the light simply doesn't change - e.g. at a three-way set of lights I've sat there while they've cycled through the other routes three times and still not got a green.

This is a problem for cyclists and motorcyclists - so where do I stand legally if I cross?

Pushbike - OK, I could get off and push (don't see why I should though). On a heavy motorbike this just isn't an option so I either turn round and find another route I or choose a safe moment and ride through.

Anybody got any experience of this? (I reported the three-way to the council by the way, they've since fixed it)

custardy

Billy-no-Money wrote: »

A bit off-topic, but as a cyclist and motorcyclist I always stop for red lights - simple enough.

However, there are some junctions where at quiet times (e.g. midnight - 6am) the light simply doesn't change - e.g. at a three-way set of lights I've sat there while they've cycled through the other routes three times and still not got a green.

This is a problem for cyclists and motorcyclists - so where do I stand legally if I cross?

Pushbike - OK, I could get off and push (don't see why I should though). On a heavy motorbike this just isn't an option so I either turn round and find another route I or choose a safe moment and ride through.

Anybody got any experience of this? (I reported the three-way to the council by the way, they've since fixed it)

I doubt you could use that as any form of defence TBH
I have a few on my routes,so i know what you mean
I just choose a different route or try and go slow while standing on the pedals to catch the sensor.
TBH living in the city is not often there isnt a car coming along anyway

VoucherMan

I find that the cyclists I encounter on the way to work and back are split about 50/50 whether they stop or not. I've got to recognise most of them so when I see one near the lights I can decide whether to leave some extra room for them at the lights or to pull right up and watch another suicide attempt.

Almost had one last week. A cyclist pulled up in front of me at the lights.I thought he was going to wait for them to change but he was just waiting for a gap in the traffic. He set off in too high a gear & part way across his foot seemed to slip on a pedal. He got started again but wasn't even clear of the junction when a vehicle passed where he had been 2 seconds earlier. I don't remember whether it was a car,van or lorry, but do remember thinking that it would of had no chance of stopping if the cyclist had stalled for longer.

marmitedog

Always stop. Sometimes filter through once you're aware of the circumstances. Can be safer to go through on the red (inbetween phases) so you're clear of the junction before the traffic starts moving again.

I'm sure Mr Car Driver never exceeds the speed limits so he's perfectly entitled to shout at you in a pompous manner