Cycling Through Red Lights
David Cameron has been caught jumping a red light at a pedestrian crossing whilst cycling. Dizzy uses this a way into a diatribe against all cyclists. Whilst he has some point, he goes way too far with it all. Jonathan Sheppard also comments on this story, but in a less aggressive manner. But I agree most with Samuel Coates.
As a cyclist, I jump red lights occasionally. But only when it is absolutely clear and I know that no traffic or pedestrians will come across my path. If there are pedestrians waiting to cross, I stop. If they are already clear of my path, I will continue. This is simple common sense, and the only way that cyclists can use the roads in an efficient manner. However, pedestrians also need to be aware of cyclists, and treat them as they would a car, rather than ignoring the approach a cyclist at a crossing when the red light is showing to them.
I also, even, use pavements! Every day, in fact. Because the way I cycle to work, it is not possible for me not to without putting myself in great danger on a specific roundabout. There are also cycle lanes that use the pavement - which makes no sense. Either bikes should be allowed to be ridden on pavements, or cycle lanes should not be put there - because that endangers pedestrians when cyclists are using them because pedestrians always walk in the cycle lane bit, and it endangers cyclists as it is always hazardous to try and rejoin the road from such a cycle lane. Not to mention the fact that is is utterly hypocritical.
The problem is less cyclists and more idiot motorists and the complete failure to provide enough cycle lanes. Barely a day goes by when a car, bus, van or lorry does not cut me up or try and force me off the road, either on purpose or through sheer incompetence. The buses are, in fact, the worst. One bus very nearly drove me off the road twice in the space of two minutes.
What needs to be done is for motorists to actually understand the cyclists have the same rights to sue the road as they do. That means not pushing in front of me or pushing me off the road. Especially since you will not lose any time behind a cyclist during rush hour. Also, cycle lanes should be provided on all main roads. Most of the cycle lanes that are available for me to use on my way to work are either in the wrong place or literally just a couple of meters long. What’s the point of them? Bugger all. Cycle lanes should all lead somewhere. And motorists should actually realise that they are not allowed to stop or park in them.
Cyclists also need to take care of themselves. I have lights and wear a hi-vis jacket whilst cycling. You can’t miss me. Yet idiot motorists always seem to. And they get what they deserve - a mouthful of abuse and usually a hand gesture as well. What they deserve.
UPDATE: Mike Rouse adds his thoughts on the matter.
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“What needs to be done is for motorists to actually understand the cyclists have the same rights to sue the road as they do.”
Indeed they do. And the same laws apply as well - and far too many cyclists don’t appreciate that.
If I’m driving in 50mph limit at 55mph, regardless of it being good weather, a clear road, and can tell that it’s safe to do so - I run the risk of getting caught, points, and a fine - as it’s against the law.
If I’m driving, and I see there’s no-one crossing at a pedestrian crossing with a red light showing, I stop. As does most other motorist I know. If I didn’t, I’d run the risk of a fine and points on my licence.
Therefore “I jump red lights occasionally. But only when it is absolutely clear and I know that no traffic or pedestrians will come across my path.” is nonsense.
It’s still illegal.
It’s still, potentially, dangerous - did you spot that pregnant woman running onto the crossing before the red man came on?
I’ll agree with you, as a cyclist and motorist, that cycle lanes are in desperate need of work. I’d also say that it’s about time cyclists could use pavements legal - subject to giving right of way to pedestrians.
But, at the minute, it’s not.
And all cyclists who flout the law create a bad reputation for all those law-abiding cyclists who use lights, follow traffic regulations, and everything else to make them a good cyclist.
End rant.
If I *didn’t* jump the occasional red light when I *know* that it is clear - if I didn’t, I would stop - then I subsequently end up on the end of an attempt to drive me off the road from the traffic.
It is illegal, but also necessary.
If cycle lanes were properly supplied, then there would be no excuse or reason not to stop at a red light at a pedestrian crossing. Until that day, I will continue to what I need to in order to get to work on time, and without dying.
Well, if it’s necessary to jump the ‘occasional’ red light, why is it night necessary to jump every red light?
I’m fairly sure that you’ve not been killed from waiting for the light to turn green when required?
I enter this discussion as both a cyclist and a policeman and have 2 points to make
1) The law is concrete and nopen for discussion. Jumping red lights is illegal. That’s it. How the law is enforced is a different matter, and entails some sense of discretion. If you jump a red light and a policeman sees, you might get a ticket or you might not. Try it if you like, but don’t moan if it costs you £30
2) If “it is not possible for me not to without putting myself in great danger on a specific roundabout” then you are either lacking confidence or competence. Either way, it isn’t safe to be on the road and you should take to walking not cycling.
I realise that as a police response cyclist, my cycling skills are more honed and I am more confident, but it is a Catch-22 situation. If cyclists don’t respect the road, drivers won’t give them respect. But without the respect of road users, cyclists will have to take risks to saty “safe”
1) I’m not denying that. But the police should be out there catching real criminals rather than trying to get £30 from me doing something that I *wouldn’t* be doing if the motorists obeyed the laws themselves. [Also - how can that law be justified when cycle lanes are also put on pavements? Or is cycling on one of those breaking the law as well? Cos I do that too.]
2) I have plenty of confidence and competence in myself, thank you very much - just not in the idiots who drive round this roundabout during rush hour. Who appear to feel that I *am* not there or *shouldn’t* be there. I didn’t just wake up one morning decide not to cycle through it, but made a the decision based on the danger posed to my life by using it.
As a police response cyclists, get out there and have a word with every idiotic car driver who doesn’t recognise either the rights or existence of cyclists.
And I bet you don’t face even half the problems the rest of us who don’t cycle around with POLICE emblazoned across our backs do.
I respect their right to be there. They just don’t respect mine.
Husband was stopped by police after going through red lights on his bike at 7 in the morning on a completely deserted road (except I suppose for the police car! Which, now I come to think about it, makes me wonder why he did it!)
He has also had plenty of close shaves including one with a security van who pulled out in front of him. He pedalled hard and cuaght up with them at the lights and thumped on the van. It’s a wonder he didn’t get arrested then!
Sadly the people who call the council and police for local matters don’t care about the burglary/robbery/street crime in their area, they care about cycling on the pavement and through red lights. It seems petty, but in my experience, that’s how it is!
As for cycle lanes on pavements, there are guidelines on the width of a pavement that can have a cycle lane. If it’s wide enough, a cycle lane can be put in. If not, it stays illegal to cycle there.
If you don’t feel safe on the roundabout, make yourself safer. Wear a hi-viz, have lights on, take the roundabout a bit slower or quicker - whatever works best!
Regarding police cyclists speaking to “idiot car drivers”, the same could be said for idiot cyclists on the pavement. Roads are for wheels, pavements are for feet.
Also bear in mind the difference in law for bikes and cars. Cars are registered and you need to take a test beofre driving one. Any lepton can buy a bike…
I wear hi-vis, and have lights. The issue is simply the demonstrative idiocy of the drivers who use it who make it unsafe to be used by cyclists.
Any lepton can also buy a car, just not legally drive it. But that doesn’t stop anyone.
There is no such thing as clear road. The cyclist who jumped the red lights, in the case highlighted yesterday on the news paid with his life. Yes the driver was texting and doing 45mph in a 30 zone, but who cares about blame when you’re siting up there on your cloud looking down on the life you could’ve had, if you’d just obeyed the laws. That applies to all road users.
That cyclist has only has themselves to blame but, of course, the driver shouldn’t be been speeding or using their phone.
cyclists on pavements should be shot, or at the very least throttled with their own lycra knickers.
What about the cyclist who jumps a red light and gets killed by a driver using thier mobile phone ?
If the driver had not been using their phone it may not have happened , but surley it certainly would not have happened had the cyclist not jumped the red light?
PS: you should not use a phone while driving.