Red Lights - An Epiphany

Massimo

I've been commuting for over 15 years in and out of the middle of Birmingham and to be honest, red lights were something everybody else stopped at...not me, the lycra clad, leg shaving road warrior GRRRRRR!!!!
Until today, having spent some quality time on these here forums, reading the different points of view out there, I've decided to join those of you who stop when the lights go red. I tried it this morning....and it felt good....and didn't add much to my journey time...and the world didn't end....and I'm going to do it tonight. Here's a thought, why don't we all try it for a week and see how we do???

Fab Foodie

Massimo wrote:

I've been commuting for over 15 years in and out of the middle of Birmingham and to be honest, red lights were something everybody else stopped at...not me, the lycra clad, leg shaving road warrior GRRRRRR!!!!
Until today, having spent some quality time on these here forums, reading the different points of view out there, I've decided to join those of you who stop when the lights go red. I tried it this morning....and it felt good....and didn't add much to my journey time...and the world didn't end....and I'm going to do it tonight. Here's a thought, why don't we all try it for a week and see how we do???

Good Man 8)
I did the same some years ago.
It does feel good. I am traffic and should behave like traffic. Good training too...hurtling away from the lights.

Mind you, around Oxford you have to slow down with care...everybody else just seems to assume all bikes go through the lights. Rear-ended twice so far with a couple of near misses. Flippin' dangerous stopping on reds :roll:

Tynancp

I stop for actual junctions, not so much for deserted pedestraisn crossings

and it so does add time to the commute, two or three of the big junctions I stop for and almost no-one else does must take a full three minutes to cycle, most of which time there's no reason not to cross other than the red light

still, laws the law, more or less

annoying though to see all the junkers you've passed in the last few minutes crawling across a junction and off into the distance

Hairy Jock

We have to earn the respect of others, we can shame them by exposing the hypocrisy of their actions, let the revolution begin :P

cupofteacp

Tynancp

I do the same as you but with now over 100 lights each way it really add's time to my journey

Oh well

Porgy

I used to get rear ended regularly cycling around Leyton/ Stratford area a couple of years ago.

And - the worst thing is - drivers used to get really upset when they were unable to run a red light becasue i was in front of them and I stopped!

overmars

Don't know why but when reading this thread I thought of the quote "I brake for Jesus" usually seen on cars in the deep south*

*Deep south USA... not Brighton, England

bryanm

You cycle by road into B'ham Massimo??? I always used to use the canal towpaths. Much more pleasent and no traffic lights! Wish I didn't live so far out now.

Mister Paul

bryanm wrote:

You cycle by road into B'ham Massimo??? I always used to use the canal towpaths. Much more pleasent and no traffic lights! Wish I didn't live so far out now.

The towpaths are great as long as it's not dark or wet. The roads are quicker.

Massimo

bryanm wrote:

You cycle by road into B'ham Massimo??? I always used to use the canal towpaths. Much more pleasent and no traffic lights! Wish I didn't live so far out now.

The roads are way quicker, my 7.5 mile journey ususally takes around 20 minutes

graham_g

7.5 miles in 20 minutes - holy crap dude!

I shouldn't worry about jumping lights in Brum - there aren't enough collective cyclists doing it to get anyones back up

Massimo

You're probably right - I think there are about 12 of us in total!!!