Red Traffic Lights

[Escapee..]

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

 

Okay sold, I will stop from now on

[RocknRolla]

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!

 

 

So I take it you have stopped partaking in Jozi Hustle?

[dirtypot]

I can also add that even at 4:00 in the morning one stops at green lights in order to stay alive.

 

That will get you run over.

Blerry cyclists...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

So I take it you have stopped partaking in Jozi Hustle?

a dick swinging contest if I ever saw one. 

[RocknRolla]

That will get you run over.

Blerry cyclists...

 

 

and rear ended if you drive a car.

[Edition 507]

So I take it you have stopped partaking in Jozi Hustle?

Outside of organized and marshaled events, I cycle and drive safely and defensively and when on a bicycle, I always anticipate not to have been seen by motorists. 

[_C50_]

Found this article in the news this morning and I know there are many opinions regarding stop streets/traffic lights among cyclists. I for one cycle to stay alive. It does not necessary mean I keep to the present rules, because it often put me at risk. The French suggestion is something I've been doing a long time already, because it flows and generally doesn't do harm to any motorist. I am not competing for road space and I am making certain I make eye contact. It has kept me from harm so far and I hate hurting. What do you think?

 

The article from bbcdotcom

 

Cyclists in Paris are to be allowed to ride through red lights after tests showed the move would not lead to accidents.

Traffic lights for bicycles will be placed under the traffic lights for cars on some junctions.

The lights will indicate when bikes can either turn right or ride ahead - even when lights for cars are on red.

Paris, blighted by smog this year, is keen for more people to take to their bikes throughout the city.

The mayor's office says (in French) the scheme will be rolled out on some crossroads across the French capital from July to the end of September.

 

 

 

The change would "help improve the flow of cycle traffic", the statement said.

http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/55D6/production/_84147912_84147911.jpg The Paris mayor's office published a guide to how the lights will be implemented Tests held in 2012 found that allowing the cyclists to move more freely cut down the chances of collisions with cars, including accidents involving the car's blind spot.

Where there are no traffic lights for cyclists, they must respect the main lights.

Despite the move, cyclists would not have priority on the roads and must cede to pedestrians and other road users where necessary.

They apply/use Schema 1 in Thailand, for any vehicle. If you come to an intersection at a red traffic light, you can turn into the direction of the traffic flow. If it's safe to do so obviously. It works great.

 

Often thought about why they don't do the same thing here. Then you just need to think about it for half a second to realise that it would never work here, because nobody has any respect for anybody else in this country when they climb into their vehicles.

 

The carnage on our roads is enough evidence of that.

[dirtypot]

They apply/use Schema 1 in Thailand, for any vehicle. If you come to an intersection at a red traffic light, you can turn into the direction of the traffic flow. If it's safe to do so obviously. It works great.

 

Often thought about why they don't do the same thing here. Then you just need to think about it for half a second to realise that it would never work here, because nobody has any respect for anybody else in this country when they climb into their vehicles.

 

The carnage on our roads is enough evidence of that.

 

Some states in USA have the same rule.  The first time I drove there I stopped at a red light and had loads of hooting behind me.  I couldn't work out why they were all shouting and gesticulating wildly at me when I was looking at a red light directly in front of me!

[Patchelicious]

Some states in USA have the same rule.  The first time I drove there I stopped at a red light and had loads of hooting behind me.  I couldn't work out why they were all shouting and gesticulating wildly at me when I was looking at a red light directly in front of me!

Just tell them its for the troops. Will leave you alone.

[SuperDooperSnooper]

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.

 

  

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.

 

Why do you need to blindly make it an us vs them issue? We are all road users at the end of the day. And unfortunately most of us use the road in a very selfish and disrespectful way - whatever is most convenient for us at the time. And whether that's on a bike or in a car. WHY?

 

What does it really take to be considerate to others? And to the rules that's intended to keep us safe? Not much.

The true measure of a person is when he/she could be considerate even to those that offend.

Much more can be achieved with a smile and wave than a "I feel you're an idiot and therefore deserve a PK"! Geez, I'll go out of my way to make the road experience of a fellow user better if they've interacted with me in a polite or friendly way, whether on foot, bike or car. Try that approach for a change, I dare you.

[JCA12]

i find that when i need to ride on the road I stop at all red robots. I then glance back to the car behind me and signal where I am going.

 

It changes their mindset from seeing me as a cyclist to seeing me as a fellow human. It has worked brilliantly with cars, buses and taxis. They acknowledge me and give me space.

 

I know that i shouldn't need to do this but if it keeps me safe then I will always do it.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

i find that when i need to ride on the road I stop at all red robots. I then glance back to the car behind me and signal where I am going.

 

It changes their mindset from seeing me as a cyclist to seeing me as a fellow human. It has worked brilliantly with cars, buses and taxis. They acknowledge me and give me space.

 

I know that i shouldn't need to do this but if it keeps me safe then I will always do it.

And that, folks, is all it takes. 

[Patchelicious]

i find that when i need to ride on the road I stop at all red robots. I then glance back to the car behind me and signal where I am going.

 

It changes their mindset from seeing me as a cyclist to seeing me as a fellow human. It has worked brilliantly with cars, buses and taxis. They acknowledge me and give me space.

 

I know that i shouldn't need to do this but if it keeps me safe then I will always do it.

This x 1000000

 

Also, always say thank you to a motorist, even if they make only a slight effort to give you extra room. If you say thank you, the next time they will maybe give more room. But if you are a box, next time they won't make an effort at all.

[dirtypot]

And that, folks, is all it takes. 

But there's no drama in that...

[L'Bie]

Dear Hubbers.

This is NOT a "red traffic light" debate. I do realise you are all very passionate, but please keep to the topic.

I was simply referring to the fact that the French authorities consider cyclists when they change the ways of the roads. They justified it in their demographic environment and it might just work. The French has that uncanny characteristic to do things differently, yet making it work.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Dear Hubbers.

This is NOT a "red traffic light" debate. I do realise you are all very passionate, but please keep to the topic.

I was simply referring to the fact that the French authorities consider cyclists when they change the ways of the roads. They justified it in their demographic environment and it might just work. The French has that uncanny characteristic to do things differently, yet making it work.

And it is a totally different society, where the majority of drivers are law abiding. 

 

Here, it won't work. People don't even know how to treat a traffic circle, for goodness sake.

 

Besides - it IS a red light debate. Your OP proposes the re-writing how the existing law on traffic signals applies to bicycles. You cannot say that it is not a red light debate, and then assert that we should have different rules / signals that apply to us and not the cars.