My fave on Friday evening was the Transport for Edinburgh white van that ignored the no-right-turn sign from South Bridge to the High Street, causing oncoming traffic to brake hard, much blaring of horns etc. Not much of an example from our local incumbent transport organisation.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
"Why cyclists should be able to...ride through red lights"
(39 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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@PS Agree totally with your non filtering approach much calmer, and reduces risks.
There are principally two different types of Red Lights, firstly a pedestrian crossing, secondly a crossroads type junction. For the record i couldn't be bothered jumping either, why, too much hassle dodging unpredictable pedestrians.
Lights are there for traffic, the fact that traffic is mainly motorised, makes no odds, they are there. If we are all to start breaking the laws that don't suit us, where does that end ?
I have seen at close hand a RLJ filtering cyclist almost take out a ped who was crossing when they thought they were safe, i have also seen at close hand a cyclist retreating from a RLJ at a crossroads because they didn't understand the light sequence.I hear people say, but car drivers do this and that and are never caught, yes that is what happens. That is not going to change, we cant have police on every corner.
Where possible we should try and educate, reason, and highlight the error of their ways,and as backup always take take their number. If we communicate with drivers in a positve manner the response will reflect that approach. We cannot cycle in our own little cycling bunker.
Apologies for the lengthy discourse. Feel better now. :)
Posted 11 years ago # -
Interesting, this question of why they are angry. Seems more plausible that it's environmental stress than the jealousy hypothesis suggested upthread. Rule-breaking drivers may say it's rulebreaking of cyclists they have a problem with, but it's more likely (imho) that what they dislike is a lack of space and added uncertainties of extra objects wheeling around in their spacial calculations.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@559 I think you miss my point. All I am saying is that drivers do not object to RLJing cyclists out of respect for the law. Average driver behaviour shows no such respect. They object for some othet reason. I say because we are quicker and better looking. gkgk says its stress. Maybe a bit of both.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@Charlethepar I agree that drivers break the law. I would argue that they believe they are doing it in an acceptable way though. Everybodyspeeds, Everbodygoes through on amber(ish) etc etc. These very same drivers though would object and get ratty about a cyclist "flagrantly" breaking the law by going through a definite red light. It's all about subjectiveness I break the law in a subtle and acceptable way, he is law breaking b@$tard
Posted 11 years ago # -
That's the hypcrisy that drives me nuts - they speed but it's OK because the road is quiet and straight and wide, they can see any dangers in time and the weather is good, so they're not increasing anyone's risk. Fair enough, I do that myself sometimes.
But a RLJing cyclist making exactly the same calculation is a lycra-clad lout.
Posted 11 years ago # -
And what about the many traffic lights that don't recognise cyclists and will never turn green until a motorist pulls up behind you ? Or the lights that are only there because of a pinch point in the road that isnt wide enough for two way motor traffic but is more than wide enough for a bike and a motor vehicle ? Or the lights that are phased to give priority to motor traffic from a different direction but because a red light applies to all they force cyclists to incur the same wait ?
All examples of traffic lights designed for motorists and for the benefit of motorists.Posted 11 years ago # -
If I encounter traffic lights which are not working (including not detecting me), I proceed with great care (sometimes after re-approaching them a few times at different speeds or in another lane) and Clarence them.
https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/road-junctions-170-to-183
Posted 11 years ago # -
The only RLJ I ever see is trough the pedestrian phase mostly out of self preservation. they either get a head start on traffic or ,more importantly, they are able to do an otherwise dangerous right turn.
That's why at red I dismount and go through the red with the pedestrian flow for PR.Posted 11 years ago #
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