DON'T accuse me of THAT!

Archcp · June 2007

Grrr. Accused of red light jumping on Friday by a taxi driver...

Where Tadcaster Road gets into the city centre, there's a place where there's a car lane, and a bus/taxi/cycle lane. Where they rejoin, there are traffic lights to merge the traffic. There is a green cycle lane painted on the bus/taxi lane, and it goes through the lights with no stop line. First time I saw it, I checked with the council about it, and they said "No, that's right, cycles can proceed against the red, because there's no line." It's the same as those where there's a permanent green cycle light. There is a junction a few yards further on, anyway, with a full stop line, ASL etc...

So I'd gone along the cycle lane, through the red, as is my right, and stopped at the second junction light, which was also red. So this taxi MPV pulls up alongside me (IN the ASL area) and the driver asks me why I didn't stop. So I explained, and he gave me a look that more or less said 'bollocks'. So I explained again (including the "I checked with the council" bit) and pointed out that if I wanted to jump red lights, I'd have jumped the one I was currently stopped at, wouldn't I?. At which point the lights changed and he pulled off slowly, very close, and did a rather half hearted left hook in front of me (I was ready for it, and went round him, after giving him a rather loud piece of my mind over passing so close). Very annoying. Have spoken to several mates since who confirm that I was in the right (including one who said "and all the taxi drivers know it anyway".

Regrets? Not pointing out that by pulling into the ASL area, he'd just jumped a red light, and not having my damn helmet cam on! See, nothing happens until you leave it off!

It's not a very clear system. I'd almost rather they just extended the line and make cyclists stop. I suppose I could stop anyway, but if they've given me a useful facility, why shouldn't I use it? If the following lights are green, it avoids either a wait (if both lanes are at red), or moving out to use the car lane (if that one is green)...

On the other hand, I did see an RLJ pulled up on Thursday. Dear Woman-on-a-bike, If you're going to sail past me waiting and pull over the stop line and the pedestrian crossing studs at a cross roads, and then sit there for a while until there's a gap in traffic, trying to pull your low cut trousers and your high cut top alternately over your muffin top and lower back tattoo, and then sail off when it suits you, while the lights are still red, best not to do it when there's one of York's cycling coppers just behind you...[;)]

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.

BentMikey · June 2007

There's one a bit like that on Camberwell New Road in London - it's a bus stop/lane with a give way, whilst the cars in the next two lanes have traffic lights, and then a second set of traffic lights for all ahead at I think John Ruskin Street. I've not been called on it yet like you though.

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mazcp · June 2007

Arch, is this a new road layout? If so, the driver might be forgiven for thinking you had jumped the light, yes? no? maybe? I was driving on an unfamiliar road in Woodseats [Sheffield] with exactly the same layout that you mention and it can be confusing. Can't condone his left-hook and attitude, though! Numpty. Shame you didn't have the cam on...I wonder what sort of tattoo she had...probably a pair of wings or a little heart.

Archcp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by maz

Arch, is this a new road layout? If so, the driver might be forgiven for thinking you had jumped the light, yes? no? maybe? I was driving on an unfamiliar road in Woodseats [Sheffield] with exactly the same layout that you mention and it can be confusing. Can't condone his left-hook and attitude, though! Numpty. Shame you didn't have the cam on...I wonder what sort of tattoo she had...probably a pair of wings or a little heart.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Nah, the specific cycle path bit been there at least a year or so as far as I know - I only started using that route regularly fairly recently, so it may be longer. But the dual lights part has been there for at least 8 years, since I moved to York, and I don't think the cycle lane is new. The thing is, he had a perfectly polite explanation from me, but obviously decided I was making it up...

Oh, the tattoo, on the lady with the muffin top - it was one of those sort of Celtic interleaved things - not a Celtic knot, but the interlaced elongated leafshaped things... Does that help?

Mind you, I did go right through several red lights on Sunday - CTC Rally Parade, we were waved through by the police...[;)] It's the one moment of the year I do it...[:)]

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.

davidmam · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Arch

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by maz

Arch, is this a new road layout? If so, the driver might be forgiven for thinking you had jumped the light, yes? no? maybe? I was driving on an unfamiliar road in Woodseats [Sheffield] with exactly the same layout that you mention and it can be confusing. Can't condone his left-hook and attitude, though! Numpty. Shame you didn't have the cam on...I wonder what sort of tattoo she had...probably a pair of wings or a little heart.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Nah, the specific cycle path bit been there at least a year or so as far as I know - I only started using that route regularly fairly recently, so it may be longer. But the dual lights part has been there for at least 8 years, since I moved to York, and I don't think the cycle lane is new. The thing is, he had a perfectly polite explanation from me, but obviously decided I was making it up...

Oh, the tattoo, on the lady with the muffin top - it was one of those sort of Celtic interleaved things - not a Celtic knot, but the interlaced elongated leafshaped things... Does that help?

Mind you, I did go right through several red lights on Sunday - CTC Rally Parade, we were waved through by the police...[;)] It's the one moment of the year I do it...[:)]

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I think it was there last year, and possibly the year before that.

The parade was a lot of fun. My wee lad thoroughly enjoyed it.

..d

Fat bloke on a bike

pzycoman · June 2007

Omg Arch admits to jumping red lights! [:(]

Theres a junction like that in / around Vauxhall station (if you approach from Stockwell) - quite a few people have asked me why I jump red lights (I ignore them), one cut me up and had a go at me, told me I should be cycling in the corner (I asked him where the corner was, since it was a ROUNDabout, as in ROUND has NO CORNERS). He mumbled something, got back into his bmw and sped off for 5 meters, then stopped at the next set of lights. I remember pressing my face against his side window and made silly faces at him and his wife/girlfriend/woman friend/prostitute.

mazcp · June 2007

@Arch...fair enough, I guess the driver had no excuses.
re:tattoo...yeah I know what you mean. Kinda gothic-looking thing.

notanotherusername · June 2007

I do dislike people who tell me how to ride my bike when clearly not paying attention to their own driving standards.

There's a pelican crossing in Hyde Park where what I think is supposed to be a cycle lane doesn't have a stopline unlike the main carriageway. I think that is just an error though - or is it a way of getting the good people of Knightsbridge and Kensington up in arms about cyclists jumping lights?

Stephen

mazcp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by notanotherusername

There's a pelican crossing in Hyde Park...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Zoo escapee.

Nilscp · June 2007

"by a taxi driver..."

This is the point where I stopped reading.

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Archcp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by maz

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by notanotherusername

There's a pelican crossing in Hyde Park...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Zoo escapee.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

LOL! Well, I would, if my throat wasn't so sore...

[:)]

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.

Totalnewbie · June 2007

I use the one pzycoman mentions above (going from Stockwell to Vauxhall) but no one has called me on it yet. To me, it is blatantly obvious that it is not jumping a red light, it is a give way line at the end of a bus lane that is legal for cyclists to use.

People calling anyone on that particular junction must be need their eyes checking, because I've gone round there plenty of times when I had the car and it was always obvious to me, as a driver, how it worked.

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pzycoman · June 2007

newbie, most car drivers in london need thier eyes checking anyway [;)]

I wonder if its illegal to make silly faces pressed up against someones window...

manick0decp · June 2007

Same thing happened to me on a "Plug No Entry sign".

photojonny · June 2007

I know where you mean Arch, I definitely take it as a green for cyclists, then as you say, you have to stop a the lights 10 metres ahead anyway. Near the Odeon/junction with Holgate Rd?

where there's two wheels, there's a way....

Hackbike 6 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pzycoman

newbie, most car drivers in london need thier eyes checking anyway [;)]

I wonder if its illegal to make silly faces pressed up against someones window...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Depends if they have parked their car in front of you front while you are moving at speed.[B)]

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Archcp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by photojonny

I know where you mean Arch, I definitely take it as a green for cyclists, then as you say, you have to stop a the lights 10 metres ahead anyway. Near the Odeon/junction with Holgate Rd?

where there's two wheels, there's a way....
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's the one. Good. I did have a moment of doubt, but when everyone I spoke to backed me up, I felt better. Of course the chances of that guy ever realising or admitting to himself that I was right are probably slim. [:(!]

It would be more obvious if they put in a constant green cycle light, I think - like the one at the bottom of Goodramgate/Monkbar.

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.

pzycoman · June 2007

Arch, I just wouldnt bother arguing with drivers over matters like that, especially if they are Taxi drivers. Its just not worth the bother.

Uncle Phil · June 2007

I know the junction you mean. There's a similar one on Malton Road just before the Heworth Green roundabout (and there's another discussion - should you use the green-painted bits on it, or should you take the lane and avoid them? - I've seen a few near-misses of cyclists using the green bits to go all the way around the edge... but back to the main topic).

I've had a few of these sorts of conversations and they never end satisfactorily (usually the lights change, or the driver speeds off - or left-hooks you). My present tactic is to say "right here's not a good place to discuss this. If you've got half an hour I'll buy you a pint and we'll discuss it properly".

So far, I've not had to buy that pint.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot
Nothing is going to get better. It's not"
- Dr Seuss

Give Baby Elephants Room!

Archcp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Uncle Phil

I know the junction you mean. There's a similar one on Malton Road just before the Heworth Green roundabout (and there's another discussion - should you use the green-painted bits on it, or should you take the lane and avoid them? - I've seen a few near-misses of cyclists using the green bits to go all the way around the edge... but back to the main topic).

I've had a few of these sorts of conversations and they never end satisfactorily (usually the lights change, or the driver speeds off - or left-hooks you). My present tactic is to say "right here's not a good place to discuss this. If you've got half an hour I'll buy you a pint and we'll discuss it properly".

So far, I've not had to buy that pint.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot
Nothing is going to get better. It's not"
- Dr Seuss

Give Baby Elephants Room!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Nice tactic!

Oh, yes, that roundabout. I think I met the guy who designed it once. He was telling me that once he took up cycling, he understood much better what cyclists needed. Not sure how long before that point he'd been designing cycle facilities, but I think the roundabout was from 'before', not 'after'...

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.

Tourist Tony · June 2007

I know that junction as well, Arch; it's been there agaes AFAIK, as it's been there the last few Rallies.

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formerlyknownasbonj · July 2007

god it is so funny though when the following happens: lycra-clad git overtakes, not going much faster than me but is keen to prove his superiority nonetheless. But then he stops at a pelican crossing, which although is on red there aren't any peds... i just sail past him again, and that was the last I saw of him. If there's anything that'll convert people to RLJers, it's incidences like this - when they start to question whether stopping is actually in fact pointless and completely cancels out any speed gains they may have made over another cyclist...

Hairy Jock · July 2007

Arch do you really expect taxi drivers to know the rules of the road? Come to think of it can you really expect most drivers to know the rules of the road, once they have passed their test (assuming they have a driving licence), they think they know it all and never look a the HC again, let alone keep up to date with any changes.

Cunobelin · July 2007

Had a Taxi driver shout at me for cycling on the "pavement" - actually a clearly labelled shared use path that acts as a shortcut avoiding a busy roundabout.

So took a dozen photographs of their vehicles parked on pavements, and got a copy of the local cycle map. Then sent an email congratulating the driver on his "public spirit, and explained that I was concerned about his lack of local knowledge.

I then asked asked if they would be supporting his campaign by stopping their vehicles from parking on pavements.

No reply for some reason, but a dirty look from him at the Railway Station!

BentMikey · July 2007

Hahahaha, nice touch there!!!

Oddballcp · July 2007

formerlyknownasbonj wrote:

god it is so funny though when the following happens: lycra-clad git overtakes, not going much faster than me but is keen to prove his superiority nonetheless. But then he stops at a pelican crossing, which although is on red there aren't any peds... i just sail past him again, and that was the last I saw of him. If there's anything that'll convert people to RLJers, it's incidences like this - when they start to question whether stopping is actually in fact pointless and completely cancels out any speed gains they may have made over another cyclist...

You might as well claim that paying for stuff in shops cancels out any financial gains you make by earning more. Seeing a shoplifter doesn't turn me into a thief, and seeing an ignorant POB sailing through a red isn't going to turn me into an RLJer.

DON'T accuse me of THAT!

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