Is it wrong to SORT OF jump red lights?

[xpc316e]

If you are in so much of a rush that you need to set off before the lights change to green, then I'd suggest setting the alarm clock to go off a few minutes earlier in order that you can ride with less stress.

 

[purplepolly]

A while ago, in the papers there was an old lady who hit a cyclist with her handbag as she was crossing the road, because he went through the reds at a pedestrian crossing.

As a dedicated pedestrian that's always a temptation.

However last week as I was working my way across the 5 separate pelican crossings required to get from one side of the A6 to the other, I saw a right turning lycra cyclist use one the crossing to cross 2 lanes of traffic and end up in the ASL of the third, right hand turn, lane.

I regret to say that the first thought that came into my head was "cunning". The reason being that the junction is designed purely to keep motor traffic moving and with no consideration to any other road users. Pedestrians would take about 2 entire cycles of the lights to get from one side to the other if they only crossed on the green man (in reality no-one does because it takes too long) and cyclists wanting to turn right have to get through 3 lanes of heavy speeding traffic. And that's a new junction, about 6 years old, so there's really no excuse for it.

 

[wyno70]

Isn't this all just a bit political, people saying what they think they should say? I do what I choose.

Part of that is I make a concerted effort to drive at 30mph in the village that I live in. People speeding through it infuriates me and every time I do 30, I end up with a long line of cars behind me. Experience tells me that most people speed in a 30!

Okay, so jumping lights on my bike will annoy some people but if I'm sat at some lights and can see 300 yards in each direction and there's no traffic coming, I see nothing wrong in carrying on.

Clearly if there's traffic about and a chance of a collision I'm not going anywhere, as I'm on a bike and will come off much worse than a dented bonnet.

I say it's personal choice.

 

[Crankarm]

If you are in so much of a rush that you need to set off before the lights change to green, then I'd suggest setting the alarm clock to go off a few minutes earlier in order that you can ride with less stress.

+1 and not RLJ.

 

[Eviljeem]

+1 and not RLJ.

I thought your quote should be,

No Mr Bond... I expect you to die.

Or am I missing something?

 

[numbnuts]

Isn't this all just a bit political, people saying what they think they should say? I do what I choose.

Part of that is I make a concerted effort to drive at 30mph in the village that I live in. People speeding through it infuriates me and every time I do 30, I end up with a long line of cars behind me. Experience tells me that most people speed in a 30!

Okay, so jumping lights on my bike will annoy some people but if I'm sat at some lights and can see 300 yards in each direction and there's no traffic coming, I see nothing wrong in carrying on.

Clearly if there's traffic about and a chance of a collision I'm not going anywhere, as I'm on a bike and will come off much worse than a dented bonnet.

I say it's personal choice.

but you have broken the law RED LIGHT means stop

 

[swee'pea99]

As does virtually every motorist - 70 means 70.

 

[buzzy bee]

Pragmatically, it helps to know the junction and how the lights are timed. Otherwise you may find you're setting off early at the same time someone coming the other way is setting off late, and splat.

Hi

Probably not a gamble I would take on a bicycle, maybe more happy if I was in a tractor. hehe What does 2 or 3 seconds matter?

Cheers

Dave

 

[numbnuts]

[quote name='swee'pea99']As does virtually every motorist - 70 means 70.[/quote]
the thread was "Is it wrong to SORT OF jump red lights?"

We as cyclists must obey the law, you can rant on say that the car drives get away with is so why can’t I.
We are the under dogs on the road so lets not lower ourselves to their level and obey the rules and get recognised as sensible riders, that ride within the law

 

[Dan B]

but you have broken the law RED LIGHT means stop

As have you if you have ever entered an ASL other than via the left-hand feeder lane.

Which I'm not suggesting you have ever done, but many otherwise law-abiding cyclists surely have, and I doubt many people will get that aerated about it. I doubt that many people even know it's illegal anyway

 

[wafflycat]

You really don't want to be jumping reds in Norwich. Everytime I am driving, cycling or walking in Naarch I am appalled at the number of motorists jumping reds. It is that commonplace and I see far more motorists jumping reds than cyclists. And it's not just the odd 'amber gambler' it's full on jumping of a red light. The usual comment from The Unfit Family is "Cyclist in disguise as any fule noe it's only cyclists that jump reds" That said - I don't jump reds - never felt I have had the need to never mind that it's illegal and dangerous.

 

[jnb]

Part of that is I make a concerted effort to drive at 30mph in the village that I live in.

Just the village you live in?

Back on topic. I'd say if it's a junction you should rigidly abide by the lights, if it's a pedestrian crossing and you can see there's noone there then apply a bit a common sense. ie if there's no chance of a motorist coming around a corner when the lights are green for them and (perhaps more importantly) noone to see you jump the red then where's the problem.

 

[wyno70]

No, everywhere but particularly the village I live in!!

 

[summerdays]

As have you if you have ever entered an ASL other than via the left-hand feeder lane.

I'm afraid that is one rule that I do break - mainly for my safety (prefering the right hand side) and the fact the cars are often blocking the left feeder lane. Or in today's case I watched one car go through on completely red, and then the next roll into the ASL completely, then a lorry overtook me and cut in, so I went in front of both and in front of the ASL.

 

[marinyork]

As have you if you have ever entered an ASL other than via the left-hand feeder lane.

Which I'm not suggesting you have ever done, but many otherwise law-abiding cyclists surely have, and I doubt many people will get that aerated about it. I doubt that many people even know it's illegal anyway

Or feeder lanes that are not on the left but in the middle or even RHS (yes, they exist) or light been on amber when entering the ASL, in which case a cyclist is allowed to go over the line (happens much more often than in cars). Or ASLs that are constructed wrong in terms of line markings. It was why there was a campaign to get it changed.