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#1
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Bikes Running Red Lights
Another thread talked about cops running red lights. This prompts me to
ask, do you run red lights: (a) never (b) depends if there's anyone watching (c) depends if there's any drivers watching (d) depends if there's any bike/car cops watching (e) depends if there's any cops watching (f) depends if there's any danger to me (g) depends if there's any danger to anyone else (h) if the light goes red when the bunch I'm in is halfway through (might be a special case of (g) or not) (i) if I've been waiting ages and they haven't changed (which is actually legal, as the in-road sensors can't always [never?] detect bikes and not all lights are on a timer all day) soapbox My opinion is this: if the only person you affected when you ran a red was yourself, I'd say do what you like - it's your money/health if you get fined/injured. However, it's not just about you. Like it or not, 80% of motorists (i.e. ignoring the extreme ends of the bell curve) will show cyclists respect and consideration in direct proportion to the regard that we (as a body) show for the road rules. You can't expect motorists to honour your road rights (e.g. a lane to yourself) if you flout your obligations on the road. /soapbox P.S. This sounds like a troll, but it's something I actually feel strongly about. Surely the inconvenience of stopping at a few lights (and let's face it, there's usually no good reason why you can't, if you're riding responsibly) is worth it if it means we get better treatment in general? I know we are all equal road users in the eye of the law, but the reality is when push comes to shove, 1000kg of metal beats 8-20 kg of bike. We need all the goodwill we can generate, because if it turns into a jungle, we are the mewling baby birds on the forest floor. P.P.S. If this was really a troll, I would have x-posted to aus.cars! :-) &roo |
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#2
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Bikes Running Red Lights
Andrew Swan wrote:
Another thread talked about cops running red lights. This prompts me to ask, do you run red lights: (a) never (b) depends if there's anyone watching (c) depends if there's any drivers watching (d) depends if there's any bike/car cops watching (e) depends if there's any cops watching (f) depends if there's any danger to me (g) depends if there's any danger to anyone else (h) if the light goes red when the bunch I'm in is halfway through (might be a special case of (g) or not) (i) if I've been waiting ages and they haven't changed (which is actually legal, as the in-road sensors can't always [never?] detect bikes and not all lights are on a timer all day) soapbox My opinion is this: if the only person you affected when you ran a red was yourself, I'd say do what you like - it's your money/health if you get fined/injured. However, it's not just about you. Like it or not, 80% of motorists (i.e. ignoring the extreme ends of the bell curve) will show cyclists respect and consideration in direct proportion to the regard that we (as a body) show for the road rules. You can't expect motorists to honour your road rights (e.g. a lane to yourself) if you flout your obligations on the road. /soapbox P.S. This sounds like a troll, but it's something I actually feel strongly about. Surely the inconvenience of stopping at a few lights (and let's face it, there's usually no good reason why you can't, if you're riding responsibly) is worth it if it means we get better treatment in general? I know we are all equal road users in the eye of the law, but the reality is when push comes to shove, 1000kg of metal beats 8-20 kg of bike. We need all the goodwill we can generate, because if it turns into a jungle, we are the mewling baby birds on the forest floor. P.P.S. If this was really a troll, I would have x-posted to aus.cars! :-) &roo Forgot option (j): depends if any of my mates will rag me for stopping &roo |
#3
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Bikes Running Red Lights
Andrew Swan wrote:
Another thread talked about cops running red lights. This prompts me to ask, do you run red lights: (a) never (b) depends if there's anyone watching (c) depends if there's any drivers watching (d) depends if there's any bike/car cops watching (e) depends if there's any cops watching (f) depends if there's any danger to me (g) depends if there's any danger to anyone else (h) if the light goes red when the bunch I'm in is halfway through (might be a special case of (g) or not) (i) if I've been waiting ages and they haven't changed (which is actually legal, as the in-road sensors can't always [never?] detect bikes and not all lights are on a timer all day) soapbox My opinion is this: if the only person you affected when you ran a red was yourself, I'd say do what you like - it's your money/health if you get fined/injured. However, it's not just about you. Like it or not, 80% of motorists (i.e. ignoring the extreme ends of the bell curve) will show cyclists respect and consideration in direct proportion to the regard that we (as a body) show for the road rules. You can't expect motorists to honour your road rights (e.g. a lane to yourself) if you flout your obligations on the road. /soapbox P.S. This sounds like a troll, but it's something I actually feel strongly about. Surely the inconvenience of stopping at a few lights (and let's face it, there's usually no good reason why you can't, if you're riding responsibly) is worth it if it means we get better treatment in general? I know we are all equal road users in the eye of the law, but the reality is when push comes to shove, 1000kg of metal beats 8-20 kg of bike. We need all the goodwill we can generate, because if it turns into a jungle, we are the mewling baby birds on the forest floor. P.P.S. If this was really a troll, I would have x-posted to aus.cars! :-) &roo Forgot option (j): depends if any of my mates will rag me for stopping &roo |
#4
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Bikes Running Red Lights
I never run red lights for the reasons you mentioned. I obey all traffic
rules. Peter |
#5
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Bikes Running Red Lights
I never run red lights for the reasons you mentioned. I obey all traffic
rules. Peter |
#6
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Bikes Running Red Lights
Andrew Swan wrote:
Another thread talked about cops running red lights. This prompts me to ask, do you run red lights: ((i) if I've been waiting ages and they haven't changed (which is actually legal, as the in-road sensors can't always [never?] detect bikes and not all lights are on a timer all day) As you mention, this isn't illegal. I do cop to having done "rolling stop signs" on the bike trails but upon reflection, have decided it's pretty hypocritical of me to run those and then bitch about people on bikes ignoring the rules they don't like. Solution: I'm giving up the sections of the cycling path where these stop signs are every 200 m through a residential neighbourhood and sticking to the road ways where I won't be inconvenienced by the continuous stop and go thing. Hope you've got room on that soapbox for 2 because I'm right there with you. -- Insanity has its price -- Please have exact change. -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
#7
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Bikes Running Red Lights
Andrew Swan wrote:
Another thread talked about cops running red lights. This prompts me to ask, do you run red lights: ((i) if I've been waiting ages and they haven't changed (which is actually legal, as the in-road sensors can't always [never?] detect bikes and not all lights are on a timer all day) As you mention, this isn't illegal. I do cop to having done "rolling stop signs" on the bike trails but upon reflection, have decided it's pretty hypocritical of me to run those and then bitch about people on bikes ignoring the rules they don't like. Solution: I'm giving up the sections of the cycling path where these stop signs are every 200 m through a residential neighbourhood and sticking to the road ways where I won't be inconvenienced by the continuous stop and go thing. Hope you've got room on that soapbox for 2 because I'm right there with you. -- Insanity has its price -- Please have exact change. -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
#8
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Bikes Running Red Lights
(i) if I've been waiting ages and they haven't changed
ALSO If there is no traffic in sight and I have my wits about me (not tired or pre-occupied), I'll coast on through. That implies paying close attention and not assuming safety. -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
#9
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Bikes Running Red Lights
(i) if I've been waiting ages and they haven't changed
ALSO If there is no traffic in sight and I have my wits about me (not tired or pre-occupied), I'll coast on through. That implies paying close attention and not assuming safety. -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
#10
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Bikes Running Red Lights
Nice Thread...
I'm sick & tired of stopping at reds on my ride just to have some idiot on another bike behind me catch up and roll through the intersection. Seriously - what's wrong with these people Now each of the cars waiting at the red to go through the lights is likely a bit more agitated with “those damn cyclists" and I’m left to contend with them when the light turns green. On a positive side I've found it somewhat therapeutic to then catch up to my ignorant fellow cyclist, inform him of the purpose of a red light, and leave him staring at my back tire.... -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
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