Going through red lights

[kyser_soze]

Wot Crispy sed.

Altho I'm a *bad* cyclist who uses their eyes and ears to make a decision about how safe it is for me to ride through a red if I'm turning left, or there's nothing coming etc...

 

[Crispy]

Wot Crispy sed.

Altho I'm a *bad* cyclist who uses their eyes and ears to make a decision about how safe it is for me to ride through a red if I'm turning left, or there's nothing coming etc...

My incidences of doing this have dropped to almost zero these days. I just don't trust my own senses well enough Besides, it gives a bad impression if people see you do it, even if they're not directly involved.

 

[Urbanblues]

Not all of us!! Please don't tar all cyclists with the same brush.

I'm neither tarring all, nor indeed targeting cyclists as some kind of demons. My comments were, by inference to the OP, directed at cyclists that run red lights, or generally abuse the rules of the road and pavement.

 

[Urbanblues]

People who generalise the behaviour of all cyclists to be pushed in the canal, please

You'd have to find a wheelchair accessible towpath first...

 

[roryer]

.... sure give ‘em carte blanche. While we’re at it, why not let them mount pavements at one-way systems; as well as giving them right-of-way over all other sidewalk users.

Anything else cyclists want?

No, actually I don't demand any of that, all I want is a complete and comprehensive national cycle network that is segregated from other traffic with prioritised rights of way crossing side roads, and equal provision when intersecting with major road arteries. I also demand a 20mph speed limit on all roads in urban areas, except on segregated main arterial roads, ie. no pedestrian or cycle access, in a similar way to railway lines.

For examples of a model on which to base this, please see the Dutch system.

Of course we would need to remove a large percentage of road capacity from private auto traffic in order to accomodate this in the UK, which would of course convert to cycling and walking most trips as road danger is cited as the main excuse for not cycling (note: over half of all urban car trips are under 2 miles).

Where this policy has been followed in Basel or Groningen for instance, over 30% of trips are made by bicycle. Compare this to an average UK city, where under 2% cycle. Also compare average speeds and congestion and UK cities do very badly.

May I suggest that when we have a system of investment in cycle infrastructure that exceeds that dedicated to the car I will then obey all road signals.

 

[christonabike]

Wot this person said ^^^^^

There's massive fucking roadworks on The Cut, London, nearly finished now

It's a really wide road

Are there cycle lanes?

Are there fuck!

 

[Crispy]

Guerilla cycle lane painting anyone?

 

[roryer]

Love to!

 

[Brainaddict]

Only if cyclists accept being mowed down by the traffic legitimately crossing their path as an occupational hazard; only if cyclists are willing to pay a heavy price for evasive action accidents caused by their going through red lights – sure give ‘em carte blanche. While we’re at it, why not let them mount pavements at one-way systems; as well as giving them right-of-way over all other sidewalk users.

Anything else cyclists want?

Legalisation of handlebar-mounted shotguns with armour-piercing shells please

 

[likesfish]

nah not shots guns some sort of laws rocket type set up

 

[Urbanblues]

May I suggest that when we have a system of investment in cycle infrastructure that exceeds that dedicated to the car I will then obey all road signals.

So, up until you get your way; you’re willing to continue to endanger me on both the roads and pavements?

As a wheelchair user, I’ve experienced several clashes with cyclists who, while disobeying road signals and using pavements, have ridden into me.

But, you’re right; stick to your principles. If a few cripples and elderly people are injured as a result; it’s a small price for us to pay for your right to cycle where, and in whatever fashion you desire.

I have every confidence in you cyclists; and, that once you’ve won your battles; you’ll erect monuments to those that paid the price for your freedoms.

 

[Urbanblues]

No, actually I don't demand any of that, all I want is .... the Dutch system.

Mightn't it be less stressful if you just moved to Dutchland?

 

[mauvais]

No, actually I don't demand any of that, all I want is a complete and comprehensive national cycle network that is segregated from other traffic with prioritised rights of way crossing side roads, and equal provision when intersecting with major road arteries. I also demand a 20mph speed limit on all roads in urban areas, except on segregated main arterial roads, ie. no pedestrian or cycle access, in a similar way to railway lines.

The best thing this country could do is build cycle lanes alongside all railway lines. Straight, flat, direct journeys between all major towns.

 

[Urbanblues]

The best thing this country could do is build cycle lanes alongside all railway lines. Straight, flat, direct journeys between all major towns.

But, not in Central London, eh.

 

[mauvais]

We've reports coming in that London isn't the only place in the UK, but we're still trying to confirm that story at this time.

 

[Urbanblues]

We've reports coming in that London isn't the only place in the UK, but we're still trying to confirm that story at this time.

Any updates?

 

[Urbanblues]

We've reports coming in that London isn't the only place in the UK, but we're still trying to confirm that story at this time.

Could we have the links to these reports, please?

 

[mauvais]

We've no developments as yet - we've a news helicopter in the area but that area does appear to still be London. We'll bring you the latest hearsay and unsubstantiated rumours as soon as we're able, but for the moment, all our cameras and indeed the view from here today seems to indicate London is indeed the only place in the UK.

 

[tommers]

fuck sake. is it that time again?

 

[Urbanblues]

We've no developments as yet - we've a news helicopter in the area but that area does appear to still be London. We'll bring you the latest hearsay and unsubstantiated rumours as soon as we're able, but for the moment, all our cameras and indeed the view from here today seems to indicate London is indeed the only place in the UK.

Oh good. It'll save me trying to drag my arse to a window, to look see that the place I think I’m in is still where it should be; namely, here…London…

 

[mauvais]

We now have bloggers on the website who have emailed in to tell us that they have experienced a large but insignificant area outside of London called The Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeegions. However it would appear at this time that there is no working transport infrastructure, cars or indeed any form of modern civilisation such as the iPhone in those parts at all.

 

[moonbeaver]

a bloke at work was guffawing about a pedestrian who belted a cyclist off his bike today, as he was going through a red light.

After the cyclist started complaining, the other pedestrians were all (predictably) supportive of the guy who knocked the cyclist off his bike.

Although I don't agree with riding through red lights when there are pedestrians around, people resorting to violence to show their disapproval worries me a bit...

 

[Urbanblues]

We now have bloggers on the website who have emailed in to tell us that they have experienced a large but insignificant area outside of London called The Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeegions. However it would appear at this time that there is no working transport infrastructure, cars or indeed any form of modern civilisation such as the iPhone in those parts at all.

That'll suit Roryer down to the ground; problem sorted Rory, cancel the move to Dutchland.

 

[gentlegreen]

That would have been me shoving my boot in his spokes - and I'm a cyclist.

 

[Urbanblues]

Although I don't agree with riding through red lights when there are pedestrians around, people resorting to violence to show their disapproval worries me a bit...

Absolutely agree; now all we need is to convey this to the guerrilla cyclists.

 

[moonbeaver]

Absolutely agree; now all we need is to convey this to the guerrilla cyclists.

excuse my ignorance - are these guerilla cyclists violent?

 

[roryer]

So, up until you get your way; you’re willing to continue to endanger me on both the roads and pavements?

No, I'm not prepared to endanger you or others. I also don't think it's necessary for cyclists to obey all road signals as much of our road system, especially features such as gyratories and roundabouts, are designed to maximise car traffic flows, and are inheriently dangerous for cyclists. An example of when it is entirely justified to jump a light would be at the Effra Lane gyratory in Brixton, where a cyclist needs to cross a busy lane of traffic to turn right. It is usually safer to pick your gap than to wait for the traffic signal to turn green when traffic from behind turning right and left surrounds the cyclist.

As with all forms of shared priority it is all about having consideration for other road users, should a cyclist ride recklessly at speed through a busy pedestrian crossing they of course they should be fined.

 

[Gixxer1000]

excuse my ignorance - are these guerilla cyclists violent?

Do they beat their chests?

 

[roryer]

That'll suit Roryer down to the ground; problem sorted Rory, cancel the move to Dutchland.

Nah, I once went North of London, its sort of weird up there, people still speak a kind of dialect of English, but I find the Dutch easier to understand. Holland has other things about it that I like apart from the transport system, they also have these wonderful places that sell more than just coffee.

 

[Crispy]

Another place where I'd say it's fine to jump a red as a cyclist, is coming south by kennington park, at the juntion of kennington park road. If you want to go down clapham road, or turn right past oval tube station, a cyclist entering the junction via the bus lane has to cross 3-4 lanes of moving traffic to get in lane. It's dangerous, and I've seen plenty of near misses.

To clarify, I do not endorse racing through the red, but stopping, checking that there's nothing around, waiting for the merging traffic to stop, then taking advantage of the 5 second gap before the ahead lights turn green. This lets you get to the next set of lights in the correct lane, without having to deal with multiple lanes of de-merging traffic.

Here's a little graphic I did last time this came up.

This is pretty much the only spot on my commute where I'd consider going through red. There are other parts where it's quicker to hop off the bike, walk it over an adjacent ped crossing, then get back on the other side of the junction though.