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09-11.-2004, 01:04 AM
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#16 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 41
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
NO. red lights are there to be obeyed. it only lowers motorisst ioinions of cyclists and endangers the cyclist.
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09-11.-2004, 10:39 PM
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#17 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
Should we?
Probably not. Do I? Sometimes. Never recklessly (imo), never when the road is busy, but yes I do it when the lane I am in is free after the lights and there are no pedestrians - I slow down and am prepared to stop if the scene changes until I am upon the line. I think I only do it for pedestrian crossings and roadwork lights, can't think of any road junction lights I ever do it at, although this is not a conscious classification, just a subconscious reaction to the safety conditions. For the record, I also go over pedestrian crossing occasionally when there is someone crossing or about to but only if I deem it safe and they are unaffected eg. they have started crossing but are still on the other side of the road. I usually make eye contact with the pedestrian and say thanks (verbally or gesture) and I think they always understand and are fine about it. Never get any funny looks or abuse etc. I think (assume) that they appreciate that I have acknowledged them. Not saying it is right or wrong, but this is what I do. Never had (or been aware of anyway!) any abuse from any motorists or pedestrians. |
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09-11.-2004, 10:41 PM
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#18 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
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God forbid any motorist should lower their onions to me!  |
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15-11.-2004, 03:50 AM
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#19 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 27
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
In answer to your question i would have to say a resounding "no" as this is breaking the law.
As for reality i do sometimes run a red light, this is usually taking off at a pedetrian crossing that is completely clear (to get ahead of the traffic) , or at very quiet road junctions when a left turn onto a non busy road is i feel acceptable. My journey to work is through some very heavy traffic and crosses major road junctions so i really cant jump any of the lights. |
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17-11.-2004, 10:32 AM
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#20 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 3
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
Quote:
Many traffic lights in the UK will not change to green when there is anything smaller than a small car present above their magnetic sensor. At some of these lights there is no footpath or other way around them. Should I then wait hours until a car comes along? It is sensible and SAFER to break SOME rules SOME of the time than it is to blindly obey. When the UK government starts providing the basic requirements for cyclists, that is when I shall comply with all the rules of the road. The road system is designed primarily for motor vehicles and it works well for them but not always for us. "Negating the validity of the form?" Am I hell! Show me one person on this forum who doesn't regularly break the speed limit when they drive their car and I'll show you a liar! Why should we have to blindly follow every rule when car drivers do not? Stand by a 30 MPH road for 5 minutes and count how many obvious speeders pass you in cars. CJ. |
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19-11.-2004, 01:23 AM
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#21 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
99% of the time I stop for traffic lights..
except the ones outside my house that dont register me in the dark.. (works fine during the day). Also when stopped at lights i tend to stay more to the centre of the lane to stop cars trying to wedge you into the kerb, or try to turn left infront of you.  |
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26-11.-2004, 06:46 PM
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#22 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 9
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
Should cyclists got through red lights? No. Although we definitely shouldn't, we do. I always set off with the intention of sticking to rules of the road but its different when you're making your way home or to work and you come across different situations. If a pedestrian crossing turns red and no-one is crossing I'm ashamed to say that I'll go through that light. If its a busy crossroads, I wont but some do.
I'd say that the majority of cyclists jump lights, and that the majority of motorists commit minor offences everytime they get in their cars. |
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27-11.-2004, 11:57 AM
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#23 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 2
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
You should know that New York city is considering have all cyclists register their bikes and have lic. numbers. they think this will cut down on running red lights and reckless riding. In NY riding a bike is the same a driving a car and in Westchester the police have been giving out tickets.
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27-11.-2004, 11:59 AM
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#24 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 2
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
Listopad is Polish for November are you Polaih I lived in warsaw fr 10 years?
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27-11.-2004, 10:17 PM
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#25 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 9
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
Sorry, not Polish. At work I have a calender sent to me by a Polish firm we work with. When I was signing on to the forum every handle i put in was already taken so i had a look around and spotted the calender. It saved me having to use my brain to make up some interesting/original username!
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27-11.-2004, 10:41 PM
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#26 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 4
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
Many thanks for all the interesting replies to my post here, which started because I was writing a piece for the Financial Times on the relationship between cyclists and motorists on the UK's roads. The article came out on Nov 21 and I have posted a copy on this forum in case anyone wants to see it. Best. David
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03-12.-2004, 02:02 AM
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#27 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 20
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
I cycle through manchester quite often, I stop at all red lights and wait for them to change. What annoys me is the amount of students that ride round going through red lights, weaving in and out of traffic without a care in the world. Although I do lay the blame for most cycling accidents to cars, buses and TAXI's, there are a lot of irresponsible bikers out there especially around this time of year with no lights, helmets I have even seen bikes without brakes.
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06-12.-2004, 05:26 AM
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#28 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 6
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
Where's the link to the story as I wouldn't mind reading it.
I find myself at a conflict with some of the people here, as many drivers treat cyclists with such ill regard it's any wonder that we violate the law every once in a while. I remember a letter in a newspaper a few month back where a woman was complaing that a cyclist had hit her whilst driving on the kerb and left her paralised. Well I'm not sure how much of that I believe, since I experience people on foot stepping out directly infront of me all the time, expecting me to stop on a dime just because I'm a cyclist. I hate this more than being cut up in cars or using roads which aren't designed for the safety of a cyclist at all. So anyway, the point is until pedestrians and drivers are prepared to start behaving themselves, I see no reason why cyclists should have to kurb their behaviour to counter it |
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06-12.-2004, 10:19 PM
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#29 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 4
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
The article is just another topic on this forum, called Financial Times article. It's at
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t19705...es-article.html Best. David |
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06-01.-2005, 09:21 PM
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#30 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1
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Re: Should cyclists go through red lights?
I personally find it hard to believe that people are even arguing about this!
I use the roads every day as both motorist and cyclist, and I would not jump a red light in either capacity - in fact if anything I would be less inclined to do so on my bike than in my car! I think that the problem is lack of regulation of cycling on UK roads today. That may sound a strange thing for a keen cyclist to say, but I think it is high time that the police started bringing cyclists to book for 'minor' offences such as jumping red lights, and cycling across zebra crossings whilst they are in use. I have seen retribution taken on offending cyclists by both motorists and pedestrians, who are obviously frustrated by the irresponsible and sometimes dangerous acts committed by these cyclists. This is an unacceptable situation, but greater regulation of cyclists using the roads would have the dual benefit of making cycling safer, and of improving the reputation of cyclists amongst other road users. Cycling is undoubtedly the way forward in out congested towns and cities, but more needs to be done to make it a viable form of transport. |
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