No Wonder Cyclist have a bad name

Anonymous

I was driving back froma ride yeterday and we passed three mid 30's blokes on bikes then shortley came to some red traffic lights and stopped. The three cyclist then pulled up alongside and proceeded straight through the red lights causing a motorist coming across the lights to slam on his brakes what a bunch of idiots. Then after that they decided to mount the pavement and nearly knocked over an old lady like the title say's no wonder us bikers get a bad name there are some real idiots out there. Sorry I couldn't find a ranting section.

Mr Wu

You know what, that really f.ukin irritates me. People that ride through red lights, I personally think there should be a change in the law to saw something along the lines of, " if you pass through a red light whilst cycling and get hit by a car, then its your fault you tw@t"

Totally agree with all of the above.

projectsome

people often have often passed me while I've been at red lights.

I myself got stopped (and rightly so) for going the wrong way down a one way street.

few months ago the police in my area clamped down cyclist riding on the pavement in order to run red lights. I think this should be done more often and in more cities/areas.

Grimy

I've just got back from the post office in my local town, and I couldnt help but think people thought I was weird for waiting at the lights at the three junctions I cross to get there and back. They almost had the expectation that I'd just ride straight across the junction whislt the traffic was stoped at all four exits whilst pedestrians cross on the green man. It probably wouldn't have done any harm to anyone if I had, but it would have felt a bit wrong.

On the other hand, I did nearly get flattened on the roundabout later, by following the cycle path markings the council have placed round the outside, across each exit :shock: Poor chap who nearly hit me shat himself. I knew it was asking for trouble putting a cycle lane there so I had my wits about me and as a motorist as well as a cyclist, I couldnt possibly blame the chap. Just wish all motorists had the same empathy for cyclists, Perhaps if they were made to ride across town once a year they'd know what its like.

Daz555

I never cross the junction at red lights but I'll admit to taking a left turn at red lights if there are no cars or pedestrians about.

As long as it is not a pedestrian crossing, being able to take a left turn at red lights when it is safe is something I think we should have anyway. I seem to recall that when I was in Canada and also the US a few years back that drivers were allowed to turn right at red lights - it seemed to work well.

Ditch Witch

When I worked in London and cycled to and from my station, I was stopped at the traffic lights at quite a tight junction with 2 lanes crammed in under a railway bridge. I cycllist pulled up behind me and gave me a load of abuse for sitting at a red light and blocking his way.

actsolutions

I think we just need to use common sense. If you are on foot and reach a crossing and there's not a car in sight nobody presses the button waits for the little green man before crossing you just check both ways and cross the road.

Same on a bike if you get to a road junction with a red light and you check both ways and there's nothing coming and there is no chance of anybody whizzing around a blind corner or something similar then just get on your way. Whats the point in waiting?

However I don't ride on the pavements they are for Peds only they would just slow me down anyway.

I think there would be a lot less running of red lights and pavement hopping if we had BETTER CYCLEWAYS. The goverment keeps banging on about getting more people on bikes but does nothing about improving saftey.

I commute in London and when Boris came to power i thought everthing would change and we would have dedicated cycle lanes. Bo****ks!. For me the ride from Brent Cross to Victoria has more danger than a flat out 6min dash Downhill at Fort bill.

Having said all that you will still get idiots on bikes just like every other mode of transport.
You just have to shake your head and smile otherwise the stress would send you into meltdown.

Just another rant!

The Northern Monkey

Down here in London, I hate crossing the busy junctions.
If the lights are red and pedestrian crossing signs on green I will jump the lights as I see it as being safe.

Either that or i'll get off and press the pedestrian crossing button myself and walk across.

I do admit to not waiting for reds at pedestrian crossing over a normal road though.

People who cycle on the pavement should be shot. There is no need.

Chaz.Harding

I always try to not break the law - 99.99% of the time, I'll wait at the red lights. I say not all the time, because sometimes it's not safe if they are just changing / just changed, and angry car drivers speed up to the max to get through - I'm not staying in the way for sure!!!

Only the other day did I jump a red (pedestrian crossing on a straight road) because I was fiddling with my gears, and something else distracted me. When I looked up, the lights where red as I was crossing the line (on my roadie, at around 30mph), so I just carried on.

No people around, and it's a fairly busy road (for cars) in the country, just coming into a big village. I really don't know why it's there...

But anywho, I felt like a right tw*t after, as there were cars behind me. Bugger...

Chaz.Harding

And yes, I know ignorance isn't an excuse for breaking the law, blah blah blah. Just being honest

antfly

I think I read somewhere that cyclists don`t have to stop at pedestrian crossings.I never stop at pedestrian red lights anyway as long as i`m not going to hit someone and if there is no traffic I will go through red lights.Sometimes it feels wrong but the more you do it the easier it gets and no-one seems to bother.I think it is more dangerous rushing to get through an amber light.

Chaz.Harding

But I'll only rush to get through a red if there's cars rushing too. Normally I'll stop. Feel like a right arse when I go through any red... But then I am a country boy, and there's not usually ANY traffic lights

Heaven 8) 8)

KnightofCydonia

yesterday I stopped at a zebra crossing after 3 cars didn't for a couple with their baby and dog who had already got to the halfway stage. they both said thanks & she was hot so hopefully karma will show she has a beautiful sister who asks me out sometime

Schobiedoo

actsolutions wrote:

I think we just need to use common sense. If you are on foot and reach a crossing and there's not a car in sight nobody presses the button waits for the little green man before crossing you just check both ways and cross the road.

Same on a bike if you get to a road junction with a red light and you check both ways and there's nothing coming and there is no chance of anybody whizzing around a blind corner or something similar then just get on your way. Whats the point in waiting?

So what about motorbikes? Should they be allowed to jump red lights as well if there's no one around? What about cars? What about busses? Of course not everyone will say, so why should bikes be so special and be allowed to jump the lights? I know, perhaps it's just that we don't have license plates that makes it OK...

If you want to use the road, obey the rules of the road. Simple. It's no surprise that cyclists have a bad reputation.

Mrs Toast

Daz555 wrote:

I never cross the junction at red lights but I'll admit to taking a left turn at red lights if there are no cars or pedestrians about.

As long as it is not a pedestrian crossing, being able to take a left turn at red lights when it is safe is something I think we should have anyway. I seem to recall that when I was in Canada and also the US a few years back that drivers were allowed to turn right at red lights - it seemed to work well.

They're considering it in London - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7998687.stm

gettricky

I used to do cycle couriering in London and being honest, I crossed many red lights back then, but only in the delay between changing if it was clear. Although, many of my fellow couriers were run over and a couple killed during my 4 months stint. Think many people don't realise how much danger you're in riding a bike on the road.

You aint' got a chance against a big hunk of metal, especailly lorries who find it hard to break, move or even see you.

I don't jump lights now.

London is terrible right now as the single gear craze has gone mainstream, these bikes arne't hte easiest things to handle for experienced riders, but plebs who haven't riden bikes since they were at school trying to ride around on a fixed axle bike in the most congested city in the country - painful...

Captain Turok

Yes I jump red lights occasionally..

Bicycles are the lowest things in the food-chain on the road. I tend to do what ever keeps me safe, argue the odds afterwards (when you're home safely and not from under a bus).

llamafarmer

projectsome wrote:

few months ago the police in my area clamped down cyclist riding on the pavement in order to run red lights. I think this should be done more often and in more cities/areas.

They did that in Bath recently I think. It's all well and good, but I'd rather they concentrated on making the roads safer for cyclists first and then maybe fewer people would resort to riding on the pavement.

I see really agressive driving towards cyclists every day on my commute to work and while I've often thought of cycling into work now the weather is improving, I really wouldn't feel safe on the roads I have to use to get there.

RichMTB

If you ride on the road you should follow its rules, or bear the consequences.

There are idiots in all modes of transport, I don't believe cyclists as a group are any better or worse.

IMHO cyclists that run red lights are just lazy, sprinting away from the lights is a good way to improve you fitness

Uncle Peter

actsolutions wrote:

I think we just need to use common sense. If you are on foot and reach a crossing and there's not a car in sight nobody presses the button waits for the little green man before crossing you just check both ways and cross the road.

Same on a bike if you get to a road junction with a red light and you check both ways and there's nothing coming and there is no chance of anybody whizzing around a blind corner or something similar then just get on your way. Whats the point in waiting?

However I don't ride on the pavements they are for Peds only they would just slow me down anyway.

I think there would be a lot less running of red lights and pavement hopping if we had BETTER CYCLEWAYS. The goverment keeps banging on about getting more people on bikes but does nothing about improving saftey.

I commute in London and when Boris came to power i thought everthing would change and we would have dedicated cycle lanes. Bo****ks!. For me the ride from Brent Cross to Victoria has more danger than a flat out 6min dash Downhill at Fort bill.

Having said all that you will still get idiots on bikes just like every other mode of transport.
You just have to shake your head and smile otherwise the stress would send you into meltdown.

Just another rant!

Are you stupid? It's not against the law to cross the road when the light are on green, but it is against the law to jump a red light even if there's no traffic.

passout

OK, there are some 'bad' cyclists but I commute and every month get abuse from motorists - usually young lads throwing stuff for no reason (just a 'laugh'). I've also nearly been hit by idiot motorists a few times. There are lots of idiots out there whatever their mode of transport - it's the ones in charge of a couple of tonnes of metal that worry me more.

actsolutions

Uncle Peter wrote:

actsolutions wrote:

I think we just need to use common sense. If you are on foot and reach a crossing and there's not a car in sight nobody presses the button waits for the little green man before crossing you just check both ways and cross the road.

Same on a bike if you get to a road junction with a red light and you check both ways and there's nothing coming and there is no chance of anybody whizzing around a blind corner or something similar then just get on your way. Whats the point in waiting?

However I don't ride on the pavements they are for Peds only they would just slow me down anyway.

I think there would be a lot less running of red lights and pavement hopping if we had BETTER CYCLEWAYS. The goverment keeps banging on about getting more people on bikes but does nothing about improving saftey.

I commute in London and when Boris came to power i thought everthing would change and we would have dedicated cycle lanes. Bo****ks!. For me the ride from Brent Cross to Victoria has more danger than a flat out 6min dash Downhill at Fort bill.

Having said all that you will still get idiots on bikes just like every other mode of transport.
You just have to shake your head and smile otherwise the stress would send you into meltdown.

Just another rant!

Are you stupid? It's not against the law to cross the road when the light are on green, but it is against the law to jump a red light even if there's no traffic.

No but you just might be for reading my post wrong!

Chaz.Harding

KnightofCydonia wrote:

yesterday I stopped at a zebra crossing after 3 cars didn't for a couple with their baby and dog who had already got to the halfway stage. they both said thanks & she was hot so hopefully karma will show she has a beautiful sister who asks me out sometime

I like your style :twisted:

HardrockRob

Never mind the cyclists - I have just started doing the commute by bike, and it is the pedestrians that are dangerous. Has anybody else noticed that people just cross the road infront of you without even looking, and when they do see you, just keep on ambling. Had a few kids do that this morning. They just stepped out, I was almost over the handlebars, and even then they just sauntered across the road...then they wondered why they got an earful... :x

PS I stop at reds!

RichMTB

Has anybody else noticed that people just cross the road infront of you without even looking, and when they do see you, just keep on ambling.

And then give you a disgusted look when they finally spot you!

mattc2002

I'm just learning to drive and was on a 60mph road today going up a hill and oncoming over that hill came a car forcing me to brake because of 4 cyclists riding 2 abreast.

Yes the car should have waited to overtake on a hill but why do cylists feel the need to ride 2 abreast on busy fast roads? I just wouldn't feel safe doing it.

scottyjohn

I don't see the need to slag people off for doing what they feel keeps them safe! Many times I go through reds if all is clear, but the busy junctions with a lot of peds I sit and wait. To confuse matters further, there are a few junctions on my commute which have cycles and peds both on green as they share the pavement as a so called cycle path. This means I am sitting at the front of traffic with a red light, but just to the left of the red I have a green cycle light, so does that make me an idiot for cycling on?
I do what makes me safe, end of. Worry about yourself and stop stressing about what other cyclists are up to. I get regular abuse from motorists and peds, so u can't win!

junglist_matty

scottyjohn wrote:

I don't see the need to slag people off for doing what they feel keeps them safe! Many times I go through reds if all is clear, but the busy junctions with a lot of peds I sit and wait. To confuse matters further, there are a few junctions on my commute which have cycles and peds both on green as they share the pavement as a so called cycle path. This means I am sitting at the front of traffic with a red light, but just to the left of the red I have a green cycle light, so does that make me an idiot for cycling on?
I do what makes me safe, end of. Worry about yourself and stop stressing about what other cyclists are up to. I get regular abuse from motorists and peds, so u can't win!

well said!

junglist_matty

scottyjohn wrote:

I don't see the need to slag people off for doing what they feel keeps them safe! Many times I go through reds if all is clear, but the busy junctions with a lot of peds I sit and wait. To confuse matters further, there are a few junctions on my commute which have cycles and peds both on green as they share the pavement as a so called cycle path. This means I am sitting at the front of traffic with a red light, but just to the left of the red I have a green cycle light, so does that make me an idiot for cycling on?
I do what makes me safe, end of. Worry about yourself and stop stressing about what other cyclists are up to. I get regular abuse from motorists and peds, so u can't win!

well said!

passout

scottyjohn wrote:

I don't see the need to slag people off for doing what they feel keeps them safe! Many times I go through reds if all is clear, but the busy junctions with a lot of peds I sit and wait. To confuse matters further, there are a few junctions on my commute which have cycles and peds both on green as they share the pavement as a so called cycle path. This means I am sitting at the front of traffic with a red light, but just to the left of the red I have a green cycle light, so does that make me an idiot for cycling on?
I do what makes me safe, end of. Worry about yourself and stop stressing about what other cyclists are up to. I get regular abuse from motorists and peds, so u can't win!

Agreed -i t's easy to generalise and say 'cyclists shouldn't...blah blah' but in reality in all depends on the particular situation. We should think of others but regular commuters / urban riders know that you also have to cycle defensively. As long as thoughtful common sense is used then what is the problem really? The 'but it's illegal' [whine whine] brigade probably won't like it but it is 'sometimes' safer to go through red lights or even pop on the pavement. It is on my commute anyway, where I have to deal with a busy roundabout which feeds onto the M6 and M55 where roughly half of the motorists are breaking the law by speeding.

v23

I commute to work by car, 22 miles each way. Quite often I go quite early, say 4 or 5 in the morning. At these times I quite often go through red lights, especially at temporary road works.