Red Traffic Lights

[jcza]

Oh dear, we don't want to upset the already angry motorists. 

 

Cycle to stay alive. 

 

Smile & wave. 

[porqui]

If the law applies to me - it's ok to break

 

If the law applies to someone else - nail him if he breaks it.

[wingman2]

As a cyclist on the road I believe that all rules apply, but then I have a theory that I am invisable on a bike so I only STOP if it is safe to do so. Still alive after many years of cycling.

 

[Allrounder]

First world ideology in a third world country will not work.

 

1st world citizens have the ability to police themselves. 3rd world citizens do not.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, what this country lacks is RESPECT. Plain and simple. Respect for other people, laws, rules, basically everything. Yes I am generalizing and there are people out there in this wonderful country of ours that are trying to make a difference, Yes we aren't all perfect model citizens blah blah blah.....

 

Fix the mindset and the majority of your problems will go away. Then you might be able to introduce this type of thing.

well said

[avatar]

Are we seriously having this debate again? Its the same thing over and over again. 

The only red robot ill be stopping at is this one

http://www.clker.com/cliparts/5/Q/c/T/s/T/red-robot-th.png

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Are we seriously having this debate again? Its the same thing over and over again. 

The only red robot ill be stopping at is this one

http://www.clker.com/cliparts/5/Q/c/T/s/T/red-robot-th.png

Then you're part of the problem. 

 

Time to be part of the solution. Or do you also drive in the yellow lane to get to the offramp a bit faster?

[dirtypot]

You guys do know that Strava auto pauses when you stop right?

[jcza]

Then you're part of the problem. 

 

Time to be part of the solution. Or do you also drive in the yellow lane to get to the offramp a bit faster?

 

I'm sure he cycles in the yellow line in order not to upset Mr. Motorist. Please Sir don't kill us. 

 

Dangerous cycling continues to cause annoyance but dangerous driving has been normalised.  

[cat-i]

 

For those advocating the compliance to the law, let me ask you if your good behaviour has changed a single vehicle user's attitude?

 

 

Yes.

 

In my daily commute from Randburg to Sandton and back I make a point of making eye contact when I'm at traffic lights and traffic circles. I make sure that they see I've stopped, and also know that I'm intending to turn right at the bottom of Republic into William Nicol, for example.

 

I have experienced a lot of friendly smiles and waves. Cars often wait for me to go straight before they turn left at a green traffic light; they wait for me to enter a traffic circle; they give me a full chance at a fourway stop - I can turn right and use the full lane and the car behind me don't get aggressive or try to squeeze in, and wait for his turn next.

 

Of course I sometimes scream after cars when I have right of way in a traffic circle, and, after making eye contact, they still accelerate to cut in in front of me. There will always be cars and taxis that underestimate your speed or simply don't want you on the road.

 

But I found that abiding by the same rules I expect the motorists to play by, I've bought a lot of goodwill over the years.

[cat-i]

I hate to say it but in many cases, jumping a red traffic light is the safer option.

Just one example would be cyclist turning left (or travelling straight) at an intersection where while clipping in, the impatient South African drivers turns in front of the cyclist.

 

Clip out, dammit.

 

Yes the driver is at fault ... but if being clipped in is an excuse, then you shouldn't ride with cleats.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I'm sure he cycles in the yellow line in order not to upset Mr. Motorist. Please Sir don't kill us. 

 

Dangerous cycling continues to cause annoyance but dangerous driving has been normalised.  

gah. Don't get me started. Daily occurence on the M5. You don't want to be where you are? Fine - just sidle over to the onramp where there aren't any cars (crossing 2 barrier lines in the process) and join 200m further up. 

 

You want to get to the freeway faster, and the intersection is blocked? What's ONE more car going to do....

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Yes.

 

In my daily commute from Randburg to Sandton and back I make a point of making eye contact when I'm at traffic lights and traffic circles. I make sure that they see I've stopped, and also know that I'm intending to turn right at the bottom of Republic into William Nicol, for example.

 

I have experienced a lot of friendly smiles and waves. Cars often wait for me to go straight before they turn left at a green traffic light; they wait for me to enter a traffic circle; they give me a full chance at a fourway stop - I can turn right and use the full lane and the car behind me don't get aggressive or try to squeeze in, and wait for his turn next.

 

Of course I sometimes scream after cars when I have right of way in a traffic circle, and, after making eye contact, they still accelerate to cut in in front of me. There will always be cars and taxis that underestimate your speed or simply don't want you on the road.

 

But I found that abiding by the same rules I expect the motorists to play by, I've bought a lot of goodwill over the years.

THIS. 

 

Make eye contact. Signal your intentions clearly. Tell them you're going to go straight, tell them you're turning, heck tell them you're stopping and say thank you when they let you go. 

 

It costs but a second, and you'll have a FAR better experience for it. So will the driver, cos he'll think you're not just thinking about yourself, and are letting him in on what you're goiing to be doing. 

[jcza]

gah. Don't get me started. Daily occurence on the M5. You don't want to be where you are? Fine - just sidle over to the onramp where there aren't any cars (crossing 2 barrier lines in the process) and join 200m further up. 

 

You want to get to the freeway faster, and the intersection is blocked? What's ONE more car going to do....

 

My gripe is that cyclists have to grovel and fight to stay alive. We get up at 4:00am to go ride because we'll miss the traffic. Pity thats also when the drunk drivers are heading home. We need to stop at red lights because we will upset mr. motorist. We need to ride in the gutter in order not to annoy anyone. If I share the road then I follow the rules, if I am relegated to the gutter then I ride to stay alive.  

[Capricorn]

 We need to stop at red lights because we will upset mr. motorist. We need to ride in the gutter in order not to annoy anyone. If I share the road then I follow the rules, if I am relegated to the gutter then I ride to stay alive.  

Yes you need to stop but not for such a petulant reason. . Not all motorists are as unreasonable as you being by painting all motorists with the same brush, or have you forgotten just how frightening it is when you come close to killing a cyclist because of his/her stupidity/wilful disregard of other road users? If cyclists were blameless, I'd gladly ignore your petulance.

[Edition 507]

Stopping at red lights is the right thing to do, it also helps you to live longer which, surprisingly enough, gives you more time to ride your bicycle!

[jcza]

Yes you need to stop but not for such a petulant reason. . Not all motorists are as unreasonable as you being by painting all motorists with the same brush, or have you forgotten just how frightening it is when you come close to killing a cyclist because of his/her stupidity/wilful disregard of other road users? If cyclists were blameless, I'd gladly ignore your petulance.

 

Can't say I have forgotten because thankfully I have never come close to killing a cyclist. I can also add that even at 4:00 in the morning one stops at green lights in order to stay alive. Look at the deaths on our roads and you'll see the problem is not cyclists but motorists.