RLJ Fools!

Roastie

I did have a chuckle yesterday with the near pileup behind me when I stopped for a light in yesterdays gridlock.

DonDaddyD wrote:

Personally I find it hard to believe that there are people who stop at every single red light encountered in every single situation.

I find it odd that you find the concept of cyclists actually stopping at red lights so hard to believe.

I too stop at every red light when I'm out on my bike. Simple rules of the road.

Gazzaputt

Will admit RLJ all the way from Borough High Street to Bank today. Traffic was at a standstill was no point in waiting. :oops:

Headhuunter

DonDaddyD wrote:

The only reason police fine cyclist is because they're a soft touch in helping them meet their targets.

As it is the rules aren't complete enough to provide cyclists enough protection on the road. The same junction in Streatham (Christchurch road) has, yet again, another white bike attached to it (Christchurch road turning left onto Streatham high street). I've seen at least 3 (maybe 5) of those bikes at that spot this year!

So no I don't think its justified to fine cyclists because they may RLJ to safety. I've been at that junction (mentioned above) at the front but positioned to the left because I'm turning left and the left lane can go either left or straight on so an early position helps when turning left. I had a HGV pull up beside me (not behind me). Wedged I couldn't go backwards so I promptly went through the lights to safety. Now tell me I shouldn't have RLJ in the same situation where others have died!?

I agree, I RLJ and I feel safer for it, as outlined on plenty of other threads here. Until there is some kind of sensible filter lights system allowing cyclists to escape what is essentially a potentially extremely dangerous situation (being mixed up in motor traffic revving at the lights/unable to enter the ASL becuase there are cars, buses, mopeds and motorbikes in it) I will continue to do so.

And I agree, this stinks of revenue generation. The police know that there will be more cyclists out so they set up checks. Now lets see them fine a few motorists in ASL boxes to set the balance straight..... I'm not hoding my breath....

sem69

I obviously don't see any of you lot on my commute as most other cyclists RLJ. They all just go sailing through without a care in the world, probably wondering why I'm waiting.
I wonder if some of them don't even realise they are supposed to stop?! (I have had a few non cyclists at work ask me if cyclists are supposed to stop at red lights, as they see so many not stopping).

As for all the numpites cycling cos of the tube strike, I doubt we'll see them next week, they must be terrified with all the extra traffic!
Anyone else notice that middle aged men in suits on bromptons are some of the worst for RLJing and generally being tw@ts?!

Headhuunter

Gazzaputt wrote:

Will admit RLJ all the way from Borough High Street to Bank today. Traffic was at a standstill was no point in waiting. :oops:

Exactly, basically the road system is set up for large, bulky motor vehicles, pedestrians cross where they like and as a cyclist I am a pedestrian on wheels.

il_principe

Headhuunter wrote:

Gazzaputt wrote:

Will admit RLJ all the way from Borough High Street to Bank today. Traffic was at a standstill was no point in waiting. :oops:

Exactly, basically the road system is set up for large, bulky motor vehicles, pedestrians cross where they like and as a cyclist I am a pedestrian on wheels.

Are you that slow?

Headhuunter

jashburnham wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

Gazzaputt wrote:

Will admit RLJ all the way from Borough High Street to Bank today. Traffic was at a standstill was no point in waiting. :oops:

Exactly, basically the road system is set up for large, bulky motor vehicles, pedestrians cross where they like and as a cyclist I am a pedestrian on wheels.

Are you that slow?

Well no, not if the road's clear, but if I get to a red light, which looks clear with no peds crossing, no cars/buses etc about to move off, I slow to running pace and move slowly across the junction, then accelerate again at the other side.

What I'm saying is, that as a cyclist, self propelled, on a machine which is about 5 foot long which gives me unrivalled line of sight of what's going on around me, I am easily able to safely cross on red, unlike a car with an enormous metal frame, with a huge sticky out bonnet in front with hindered line of sight and probably a quadrophonic stereo system going, so no hearing either. Compared to cyclists and peds, motorists are blind and deaf.

roger_merriman

DonDaddyD wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

in all but most extreme situation, i do stop, no i will not jump reds at night but i will if say the lights fail or what ever. but thats a vanisngly small amount.

Riding through South Norwood, Thorton Heath, and Mitchem at late night I very rarely stop for nothing and no one, unless at a junction. Its a personal safety issue. Much like driving a car with the doors locked.

Same with a late night commute through Peckham, Camberwell, Cold Harbor Lane and parts of Streatham. I very rarely stop, unless at a junction.

ah, yes i can understand that, being a country oik at heart i fear niether the dark or people in fact have a worring habit of talking to strangers, niether do i lock car doors when i'm in a car.

simon_ramsey

From what I observe almost daily in Central London RLJ'ing has got so bad that if as a Cyclist I approach a Red light at a Ped-X crossing Ped's are very cautious about crossing as they are not sure if cyclists are going to stop - now that seems wrong to me.

ellieb

It has been said before but if you are a pedestrian on wheels then you are clearly in the wrong place by riding on the roads. They are set aside for vehicular traffic. So.. Bloody cyclists should not be on the roads!! Sounds familiar? :roll:

soy_sauce

first, i know i should be doing this but something i go on the pavement when its a red light when i am going to turn left because i can't be bother waiting.

does this count as RLJ?

:?:

DonDaddyD

simon_ramsey wrote:

From what I observe almost daily in Central London RLJ'ing has got so bad that if as a Cyclist I approach a Red light at a Ped-X crossing Ped's are very cautious about crossing as they are not sure if cyclists are going to stop - now that seems wrong to me.

Not me it doesn't. In London if I see a ped approaching a curb, even if there are cars hurtling past and they have a clear view of said cars and me, I am very cautious until I've passed said ped as you can never be too sure if they'll simply step out into the road and expect traffic to immediately stop...

It's war out there!!!

soy_sauce

DonDaddyD wrote:

simon_ramsey wrote:

From what I observe almost daily in Central London RLJ'ing has got so bad that if as a Cyclist I approach a Red light at a Ped-X crossing Ped's are very cautious about crossing as they are not sure if cyclists are going to stop - now that seems wrong to me.

Not me it doesn't. In London if I see a ped approaching a curb, even if there are cars hurtling past and they have a clear view of said cars and me, I am very cautious until I've passed said ped as you can never be too sure if they'll simply step out into the road and expect traffic to immediately stop...

It's war out there!!!

agree. cos they have a habit of decide to step out just before you are a meter or two away from them...even though they been looking at you cycling toward them for the past 15-20 seconds or so.

simon_ramsey

DDD I agree that it is a war out there & it needn't be. RLJ'ing is never going to help our cause. Although the occasional thank-you when we are courteous to Peds wouldn't go a miss either.

Roastie

DonDaddyD wrote:

Not me it doesn't. In London if I see a ped approaching a curb, even if there are cars hurtling past and they have a clear view of said cars and me, I am very cautious until I've passed said ped as you can never be too sure if they'll simply step out into the road and expect traffic to immediately stop...

It's war out there!!!

When walking in London, if I see a cyclist approaching, even if there are cars stopped at the light and the cyclist has a clear view of said cars, me and the red light, I am very cautious until said cyclist has passed as you can never be too sure if they'll simply jump the red and expect pedestrians to keep out of their way...

It's war out there!!!

Headhuunter

simon_ramsey wrote:

From what I observe almost daily in Central London RLJ'ing has got so bad that if as a Cyclist I approach a Red light at a Ped-X crossing Ped's are very cautious about crossing as they are not sure if cyclists are going to stop - now that seems wrong to me.

Yes I must say, I've noticed that. If peds are crossing or waiting to cross I would never RLJ, but I'll try to track stand for as long as poss til the way ahead is clear and some peds, even when I'm stationary, seem unwilling to cross as though I'm suddenly going to launch at them the minute they step off the curb. At the other end of the scale is the jaywalking ped, plugged into the ipod, who walks out without the slightest glance or regard for what's coming alongside a line of gridlocked traffic. I've hit a couple of those in my time.

bigmat

Headhuunter wrote:

simon_ramsey wrote:

From what I observe almost daily in Central London RLJ'ing has got so bad that if as a Cyclist I approach a Red light at a Ped-X crossing Ped's are very cautious about crossing as they are not sure if cyclists are going to stop - now that seems wrong to me.

Yes I must say, I've noticed that. If peds are crossing or waiting to cross I would never RLJ, but I'll try to track stand for as long as poss til the way ahead is clear and some peds, even when I'm stationary, seem unwilling to cross as though I'm suddenly going to launch at them the minute they step off the curb. At the other end of the scale is the jaywalking ped, plugged into the ipod, who walks out without the slightest glance or regard for what's coming alongside a line of gridlocked traffic. I've hit a couple of those in my time.

I'd extend that to any situation where a ped wants to cross in front of me, whether at a crossing or not. Where possible I will stop to let them go. I find that actually putting a foot down, rather than trackstanding, avoids giving the impression that you might launch into them at any moment!

Porgy

jashburnham wrote:

I don't see the issue. Stick to the rules of the road and you can't be "targetted" I've been commuting for a good few years now, never been stopped by old Bill for violating traffic regs and I get everywhere in good time. Stopping at reds has never caused me any aggro.

I got stopped once in NE London - a policeman pulled me over and accused me of going through a red light. I said I hadn't and he looked sceptically at me for a few seconds and told me that a passing van driver had just told him that he saw me go through a red light. Some van driver just had it in for me. :?

very odd

simon_ramsey

I'm sure a lot of them aren't aware of what they are doing and if you stopped and pointed out to them that they need to look out for cyclists it would be enlightening.

I think in the same way that if you are a cyclist when you drive you are more aware of cyclists it is the same when you walk. I always have a good look up the inside of a line of traffic before I step into the road in London.

Although sometimes I think cyclists ride to fast up the inside of traffic (me included) but likewise trying to cross the road with one of your senses disabled should make you look more - but people don't think.

Porgy

simon_ramsey wrote:

DDD I agree that it is a war out there & it needn't be. RLJ'ing is never going to help our cause. Although the occasional thank-you when we are courteous to Peds wouldn't go a miss either.

I absolutely love it when I'm the first to stop to let a ped cross, then a car or two come to a halt too. Ped walks out thanking all the drivers, but deliberately avoiding thanking me, or indeed any sort of eye contact whatsoever.

My trick when I was much younger was to take up a central position on the road and slow up, and halt for ALL Zebras where someone was waiting to stop, therby forcing all the vehicles behind to stop too. This was because I was annoyed at how many cars, etc, just ignore zebra crossings.

Although I stopped doing this quite a few years ago now.

simon_ramsey

I got stopped by the City Police near St.Pauls once for RLJ'ing - which I hadn't. The police said I must have as I was further down the road than the rest of the cyclists who had just pulled away from the lights - since when has it been a crime to be fitter I said ??

Told them to give me a ticket and I would contest it and ask for the CCTV footage - they lost interest & drove off.

DonDaddyD

Roastiecp wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

Not me it doesn't. In London if I see a ped approaching a curb, even if there are cars hurtling past and they have a clear view of said cars and me, I am very cautious until I've passed said ped as you can never be too sure if they'll simply step out into the road and expect traffic to immediately stop...

It's war out there!!!

When walking in London, if I see a cyclist approaching, even if there are cars stopped at the light and the cyclist has a clear view of said cars, me and the red light, I am very cautious until said cyclist has passed as you can never be too sure if they'll simply jump the red and expect pedestrians to keep out of their way...

It's war out there!!!

In London there are those who don't feel pity, remorse or fear and they will not stop not ever unless the light is red! These people believe "size is might and might is right". They have evolved an inability to turn their necks and thus cannot check their blind spots. Sometimes even when visible they will still drive into whatever is immediately to the left or right of them. Stopping for anything is of the utmost hassle to them, and thus the minute they are allowed to start moving again will speed off with disdain and with complete disregarde to whatever is around them. Spatial awareness and hearing is near completely impaired, they cannot turn left without clipping curb. Instincctively they become feral and will charge when flashed at with an amber light regardless of the pedestrian or cyclist standing/positioned in front of them.

Its most certainly is war out there.... DaDum DumDaDUM DaDum DumDaDUM!

biondino

Mickey Eye wrote:

I red light jump but I always stop first and make sure it is actually clear, and I'll make sure it's clear by edging forward over the white line.

Headhuunter wrote:

Well no, not if the road's clear, but if I get to a red light, which looks clear with no peds crossing, no cars/buses etc about to move off, I slow to running pace and move slowly across the junction, then accelerate again at the other side.

You lot are the most baffling of all. The most reasonable reason for RLJing is to avoid losing the momentum which you've built up when you're feeling tired, riding into the wind etc. Understandable (if still wrong). But you guys slow right down and THEN RLJ? That's f***ing ludicrous.

il_principe

DonDaddyD wrote:

In London who don't feel pity, remorse or fear and they won't stop not ever unless the light is red or they have ran out of petrol/diesel. These people believe "size is might and might is right". They have evolved an inability to turn their necks and thus cannot check their blind spots and sometimes even when visible they will still drive into whatever is immediately to the left or right of them. Stopping for anything is of the utmost hassle to them, and thus the minute they are allowed to start moving again will speed off with disdain and with complete disregarde to whatever is around them. Spatial awareness and hearing is impaired, they cannot turn left without clipping curb and instincctively they become feral and will move faster when flashed at with an amber light.

Its most certainly is war out there.

You talking about bikes or cars here! Most of what you say applies to both, but probably more to cyclists I see than to drivers...

simon_ramsey

When I used to cycle from Paddington to Canary Wharf - Ped's used to just ignore the lights at a Ped-X ing on Leadenhall Street and walk out even if the light were green (for traffic) and I mean a whole herd of them not just 1 or 2. I used to Cycle towards the X-ing no handed - they got the message I wasn't braking. Stopped doing that now as well - but it was fun at the time :twisted:

DonDaddyD

biondino wrote:

You lot are the most baffling of all. The most reasonable reason for RLJing is to avoid losing the momentum which you've built up when you're feeling tired, riding into the wind etc. Understandable (if still wrong). But you guys slow right down and THEN RLJ? That's f***ing ludicrous.

I do that because I can't track stand and can't be bothered to clip out....

DonDaddyD

jashburnham wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

In London who don't feel pity, remorse or fear and they won't stop not ever unless the light is red or they have ran out of petrol/diesel. These people believe "size is might and might is right". They have evolved an inability to turn their necks and thus cannot check their blind spots and sometimes even when visible they will still drive into whatever is immediately to the left or right of them. Stopping for anything is of the utmost hassle to them, and thus the minute they are allowed to start moving again will speed off with disdain and with complete disregarde to whatever is around them. Spatial awareness and hearing is impaired, they cannot turn left without clipping curb and instincctively they become feral and will move faster when flashed at with an amber light.

Its most certainly is war out there.

You talking about bikes or cars here! Most of what you say applies to both, but probably more to cyclists I see than to drivers...

Car and motorcyclists and mopeds and vans and lorries. My disdain (today's word) for the motorised vehicle when cycling is sometimes so complete I hate myself when I drive, I hate myself even more so for liking it....

Porgy

I cycled through a bus priority lane in Lewisham a couple of years ago - which was green, and people were crossing on the main road bit which was red (to traffic).

Only one bloke hadn't realised (I assume) and as I zoomed though at 25 odd mph he stepped out without looking - I just managed to dodge him.

He took up chase. Now the bloke looked like a right nutter - and really hard - so I upped my speed and had no choice but to RLJ through the next set of lights - otherwise I reckon he would have kicked my head in (I'm a lover not a fighter).

So this tw@t who was so offended becasue he thought I'd gone through a red light actually ended up forcing me to RLJ.

I got away though, and I don;t go through Lewisham anymore.

Porgy

simon_ramsey wrote:

When I used to cycle from Paddington to Canary Wharf - Ped's used to just ignore the lights at a Ped-X ing on Leadenhall Street and walk out even if the light were green (for traffic) and I mean a whole herd of them not just 1 or 2. I used to Cycle towards the X-ing no handed - they got the message I wasn't braking. Stopped doing that now as well - but it was fun at the time :twisted:

Yeah I used to do that at Victoria - about 10 years ago. Now I realise that it was a bit of a tw@ttish thing to do. :oops:

simon_ramsey

I think I can track stand but I can't. I'm to busy picking myself up off the floor to RLJ :shock: