Should cyclists jumping red lights be legalized?

[BrilloPad]

The city that lets cyclists jump red lights - BBC News

Thoughts?

[meridian]

Many countries / cities have more progressive thoughts on traffic than the UK, such as free turns for cars on a red signal, or changing all traffic lights to orange between certain hours.

These all rely on the drivers being courteous to each other though and obeying any give way rules regardless of traffic light colour, so it will only end in tears here in the UK. Tears, or a cyclist under the wheels of an Audi, BMW, or lorry driver.

[BrilloPad]

Many countries / cities have more progressive thoughts on traffic than the UK, such as free turns for cars on a red signal, or changing all traffic lights to orange between certain hours.

These all rely on the drivers being courteous to each other though and obeying any give way rules regardless of traffic light colour, so it will only end in tears here in the UK. Tears, or a cyclist under the wheels of an Audi, BMW, or lorry driver.

Reading the article it seems that the reason its allowed in Paris is that French drivers are so aggressive it gives the cyclists a chance.

[WTFH]

Based on the Parisian model, it's got possibilities - it only applies where the cyclist is staying close to the pavement - so it does not apply to crossing junctions/roads. It would also require the cyclist to be aware of - and give way to - other road users who are obeying their green light (whether that be pedestrians or other vehicles)

[DaveB]

The city that lets cyclists jump red lights - BBC News

Thoughts?

Waits for the howls of protest from car drivers.

[VectraMan]

Probably a good idea as long as there's no pedestrians trying to cross, which there quite often are.

[BrilloPad]

Based on the Parisian model, it's got possibilities - it only applies where the cyclist is staying close to the pavement - so it does not apply to crossing junctions/roads. It would also require the cyclist to be aware of - and give way to - other road users who are obeying their green light (whether that be pedestrians or other vehicles)

+1

Quite similar to the American red light turn system.

My concern is that some cyclists already take the p1ss and this will only make matters worse.

[DaveB]

Based on the Parisian model, it's got possibilities - it only applies where the cyclist is staying close to the pavement - so it does not apply to crossing junctions/roads. It would also require the cyclist to be aware of - and give way to - other road users who are obeying their green light (whether that be pedestrians or other vehicles)

It does allow crossing of junctions other than cross roads, but not turning left at a junction (equivalent of turning right over here).

[BrilloPad]

Waits for the howls of protest from car drivers.

They already howl like hell anyway. It seems they think your progress on the road should be proportionate to the cost of your vehicle.

[WTFH]

It does allow crossing of junctions other than cross roads, but not turning left at a junction (equivalent of turning right over here).

Depends what you mean by crossing a junction - it says you have to hug the pavement, i.e. you do not cross a road. You can go straight on ONLY if there is no road joining on that you have to cross over, i.e. at a T junction you can go along the horizontal bit in one direction, but not the other.