Reply to: Should cyclists jumping red lights be legalized?

[DaveB]

Its very upsetting.

Maybe the women were not aggressive enough and should have jumped the light? Though personally I always prefer to hang back in those situations. I know I will then be caught among the cars - but that is not as dangerous as lorries.

The other tip I follow is never ever cycle where you don't have a way out. So I would rather dismount and walk over junctions where there are railings.

I always cycle as if other car drivers might kill me where possible - sometimes it feels like that is the case. Last night on the isle of dogs a car slowed next to me, shouted "get off the road you ****er", then drove off!

There is space for everyone out there.

Most riders, despite media stories and complaints from drivers, dont ride aggressively. Even if they wanted to they are not able or not equiped to do so. (read fit enough or on a fast enough bike). Indeed, there shouldnt be an expectation that you have to ride a lightweight road bike and be dressed in lycra in order to be safe on the road. Wearing regular clothes and riding a situp and beg shopper style bike is just as legitimate, and should actually be encouraged as it discourages reckless or aggressive riding and appeals to more people who may not otherwsie want to ride.

Allowing riders to go through a red light under certain circumstances is one way to help the situation. Another would be to allow them to go on an Amber light rather than waiting for Green, providing it it safe for them and other road users. Either way it gives an opportunity to get out of the danger zone around large vehicles before they start moving.

Added to that in many cases those killed were actually in a cyle lane at the time, so would have felt safe or felt they had a way out.

[BrilloPad]

And the majority of them killed by tipper trucks who's drivers didnt or couldnt see them when they turned left.

Rider stopped at the lights, tries to pull away as they change, not able to get away fast enough as the truck turns left. Dead.

Its very upsetting.

Maybe the women were not aggressive enough and should have jumped the light? Though personally I always prefer to hang back in those situations. I know I will then be caught among the cars - but that is not as dangerous as lorries.

The other tip I follow is never ever cycle where you don't have a way out. So I would rather dismount and walk over junctions where there are railings.

I always cycle as if other car drivers might kill me where possible - sometimes it feels like that is the case. Last night on the isle of dogs a car slowed next to me, shouted "get off the road you ****er", then drove off!

There is space for everyone out there.

[WTFH]

Rider stopped at the lights, tries to pull away as they change, not able to get away fast enough as the truck turns left. Dead.

Which is odd, because normally a bike will accelerate over the first 5 metres (or more) considerably faster than an internal combustion engine (all to do with torque and revs).


I wonder is it that the rider is up the inside of the vehicle (rather than in front of it) and either the vehicle isn't indicating or the rider hasn't noticed the indicating

[d000hg]

Oddly though the only ones that die seem to be middle aged women. I have never been able to figure that out.

Maybe they pay less attention to the road, or statistically have the worst concentration/physicality/reaction times by demographic.

[DaveB]

Oddly though the only ones that die seem to be middle aged women. I have never been able to figure that out.

Though I have wondered if all the dead ones were wearing skirts and were more interested in not showing their panties rather than getting crushed.

And the majority of them killed by tipper trucks who's drivers didnt or couldnt see them when they turned left.

Rider stopped at the lights, tries to pull away as they change, not able to get away fast enough as the truck turns left. Dead.

[BrilloPad]

I wager they are paying far more attention than a car driver, otherwise they'd end up dead.

Oddly though the only ones that die seem to be middle aged women. I have never been able to figure that out.

Though I have wondered if all the dead ones were wearing skirts and were more interested in not showing their panties rather than getting crushed.

[d000hg]

Cyclists don't pay attention when they go through red lights illegally.

I wager they are paying far more attention than a car driver, otherwise they'd end up dead.

[BrilloPad]

Sure why not. A cycle helmet and an aggressive attitude will protect you from two tonnes of metal travelling at 40 mph.

Better off stopping waiting for the lights to change perhaps.

Lets just make it that the heaviest vehicle has priority then. I would like to see the 4WD idiots being run over by tipper trucks.

Many do anyway, many don't, I have never heard of a cyclist being prosecuted for jumping a red light and the punishment can only be a fine anyway seeing as they are unlicenced and uninsured.

I received a fine once. They have since redesigned the junction so I can wait. But at the time it felt like a fine on staying alive.

[Bacchus]

The city that lets cyclists jump red lights - BBC News

Thoughts?

To me the question is what difference would it make whether it's legal or not.

Many do anyway, many don't, I have never heard of a cyclist being prosecuted for jumping a red light and the punishment can only be a fine anyway seeing as they are unlicenced and uninsured.

Nearly all cyclists, even in over-crowded London - are sensible. There is a very small number of the "coming through" brigade who will hurtle through a crowded crossing whatever, don't want to spoil their rhythm, and the "mamils" who travel in packs at the weekend should learn some manners, but generally common sense prevails and that should be respected above any laws or lack of laws.

[original PM]

Slightly off topic but I was impressed with the way four way stops worked in America everyone seemed to know when to go.

I guess if you learn it at an 'early' age it becomes second nature.

[SueEllen]

Sure why not. A cycle helmet and an aggressive attitude will protect you from two tonnes of metal travelling at 40 mph.

Better off stopping waiting for the lights to change perhaps.

Just not on the inside of that two tonnes of metal....

[Flashman]

The city that lets cyclists jump red lights - BBC News

Thoughts?

Sure why not. A cycle helmet and an aggressive attitude will protect you from two tonnes of metal travelling at 40 mph.

Better off stopping waiting for the lights to change perhaps.

[WTFH]

Would you make it compulsory on women? Or should they be naked?

Women should have the choice.

[BrilloPad]

How about just banning Lycra on men?


If I want to see a fat middle aged bloke bulging out of his clothes, I'll look in the mirror.
I do not want to see men in Lycra.

Would you make it compulsory on women? Or should they be naked?

[BrilloPad]

Cyclists don't pay attention when they go through red lights illegally. Why would anyone expect that to change if it was legal? They are a menace.

One of my ex's was one of the nutty extreme pro cycling lot. However when driving a car they would regularly overtake bikes with only a whisker gap, and cut them up all the time.

Personally I would ban cycling for anyone over about 16. Just shoot them if they are caught on a bike. If we must make exceptions then they need a registration number, insurance, and passing a test.

You both should really be on the daily fail site. You are wasted here.