Red Lights

[Racingdude009]

Just wondered if fellow cyclist ride through red lights or wait until they turn green ?

[m_cozzy]

No red lights on the footpaths..

[magpie215]

without exception during the day/busy times wait for green why just be another tw@t/idiot cyclist for car drivers to moan about.

Dead of night no one about.....different matter will cautiously traverse a red.

[mk1fan]

Wouldn't do it in a car or riding a motorbike so I don't on a bicycle.

[ClassicMercs]

mk1fan said:

Wouldn't do it in a car or riding a motorbike so I don't on a bicycle.

I agree - I think Cycle Heaven (bike shop) in York are leading a national campaign to promote this.

There is one exception which affects my daily ride to work, and highlights another problem that face cyclists as 'inferior' road users.
Certain traffic lights are controlled by traffic flow rather than a standard timed sequence - the strips in the road pick up when someone DRIVES over them and activates the sequence. The problem is that these strips don't pick up a cyclist (or a 50cc scooter) - even at 20 stone ! Unless a car arrives after you the lights will not trigger. I have waited over 5 minutes in the past until a car arrives.
I now go when I know the sequence is safe to proceed - and have complained many times to council highways officers.

[Nigel Worc's]

ClassicMercs said:

mk1fan said:

Wouldn't do it in a car or riding a motorbike so I don't on a bicycle.

I agree - I think Cycle Heaven (bike shop) in York are leading a national campaign to promote this.

There is one exception which affects my daily ride to work, and highlights another problem that face cyclists as 'inferior' road users.
Certain traffic lights are controlled by traffic flow rather than a standard timed sequence - the strips in the road pick up when someone DRIVES over them and activates the sequence. The problem is that these strips don't pick up a cyclist (or a 50cc scooter) - even at 20 stone ! Unless a car arrives after you the lights will not trigger. I have waited over 5 minutes in the past until a car arrives.
I now go when I know the sequence is safe to proceed - and have complained many times to council highways officers.

What you descibe is a common problem in the states, but like euro zones, the states can adjust the rules to accomodate this...... the UK .....no chance.

[walm]

magpie215 said:

...wait for green, why just be another tw@t/idiot cyclist for car drivers to moan about...

+1
I find it really helps with the moral high ground too when they run you over.

[Agoogy]

depends how long its been red for...
just changed - 2 seconds I'll look out and probabaly go for it.
Over that and the green is going to be shown to the next wave of traffic and I won't risk that...

[Muzzlehatch]

Cycling across red lights =

However... If I approach a red light and it's safe to cross, I sometimes dismount, push the bike onto the pavement, walk over the road at the crossing point just as a pedestrian would, then remount the other side and continue as planned. This way, motorists don't get frustrated with the "RLJ", and you still save time. But it's only worth doing if you know it will be red for long enough to make it worthwhile.

[blinkythefish]

Always wait at the red lights - it gives a perfect opportunity to practice track standing.

[Garlick]

Not for me either. As some have said, if you wouldn't do it in a car/ on a motorbike then don't do it on your push bike.

It does annoy me when cyclists don't bother stopping, esp when pedestrians are crossing.

[mouseymousey]

I fell off going through a green light today. Wouldn't risk what might happen on a red!

[IainT]

blinkythefish said:

Always wait at the red lights - it gives a perfect opportunity to practice track standing.

That's my 'get breath under control' time.

Back on a bike after 22 years for the ride to and from work. ~5 miles with Balckheath slap bang in the middle so I find I need a breather. Wouldn't fancy skipping the lights at the A2 junction and it's only going to wind the cars up stuck waiting who'll be passing me in 20 seconds anyay - not wanting to give anyone a bit of rage and tempt them into giving me a scare.

[mk1fan]

ClassicMercs said:

Certain traffic lights are controlled by traffic flow rather than a standard timed sequence - the strips in the road pick up when someone DRIVES over them and activates the sequence. The problem is that these strips don't pick up a cyclist (or a 50cc scooter) - even at 20 stone ! Unless a car arrives after you the lights will not trigger. I have waited over 5 minutes in the past until a car arrives.

I have a set of lights at the end of my road that are controlled the same way. There is provision in the Highway Code to proceed through lights that are not working - which they are if they don't 'sense' you. The HWC states that you are to proceed with extreme caution.

[Rolls]

So you mean you guys NEVER jump reds on your bikes??!
I'm not going to pretend i'm as perfect as you guys - if it is COMPLETELY clear, and I could walk slowly across in the gap that is there, then i'll happily ride on.
I'm not going to jump reds willy-nilly, but don't wait when i don't need to...

[Muzzlehatch]

Rolls said:

if it is COMPLETELY clear, and I could walk slowly across in the gap that is there, then i'll happily ride on.

Of course, if it is COMPLETELY clear, i.e. a complete absence of potential observers (living or electronic), then it didn't happen, did it?

[Randy Winkman]

Racingdude009 said:

Just wondered if fellow cyclist ride through red lights or wait until they turn green ?

Go straight through ..... I've no brakes!

[mr pg]

Annoys me no end seeing cyclists jump reds. It's bad enough out there without motorists thinking we're a law unto ourselves.

[HRG]

I never jump a red light, I always hop on the footpath. Preservation of momentum is everything

[carreauchompeur]

ClassicMercs said:

- the strips in the road pick up when someone DRIVES over them and activates the sequence. The problem is that these strips don't pick up a cyclist (or a 50cc scooter) - even at 20 stone ! Unless a car arrives after you the lights will not trigger. I have waited over 5 minutes in the past until a car arrives.
I now go when I know the sequence is safe to proceed - and have complained many times to council highways officers.

The strips on most are some newfangled item that detects large lumps of metal. We have one for the work barriers. You may find that putting the bike "Sideways on" to show it more metal does work- It does on ours anyway.