Red Light Runners

[Kiwi]

I have just got in from my training ride and man, I'm pissed. Considering all the stuff here and elsewhere about cyclist being killed and maimed I was gutted to see cyclist who DO know better running red lights this morning.

If the club captains of these riders allow this stupidity to go on, well, what hope have we got? I regularly see Cycle Lab and MTN bunches go through the red lights, just one block up from the Police station. Don't expect any sympathy if you get knocked down there. At least the hospital is right there too.

Those guys ran five sets of lights in the six k's I was behind them and as the last two Cycle Lab guys noticed, I was right behind them at the end despite stopping at all the lights. They would have also noticed that not one taxi ran the lights in that time.

I don't think it even needs to be said but when we break the law it doesn't reflect well on the sponsors on our club kits either. There are only so many sponsors out there. Think of it this way, do you still buy the stuff advertised on the side of the bus/truck/taxi that cut you up again?

Oh, and buy the way, to the guy on the shiny bare aluminum/carbon Cannondale System Six in the Bar One kit; if you didn't like what I yelled at you as you went through the red light, you should have heard what the two guys standing on the side of the road said.

Those are the guys we need the support of. If we can't obey the law why the hell should they care what happens to us?

Think about it now, not while you are sitting in your hospital bed filling out claim forms - if you are lucky enough to still be able to write that is

 

 

[AndreZA]

What? You don't expect Cycle Lab and Club 100 to stop at lights do you? they are the creme de la creme of the clubs and no road rules apply  to them.

 

Besides, like Andrew said, what kind of training ride would it be if you had to stop at every light.

 

 

[Brakkies Sport Fotos]

Yes parra, I also heard Andrew saying that on Supersport.

[buckstopper]

So Kiwi, you were at the back of the bunch hanging on for dear life, hoping the lights would change to red so you could get back to them. They changed and the cyclists kept going. The last 2 cyclists did a sorry for you, which is why you were pissed... worse still they were from the dreaded C club. Seriously though,  I do agree that we need to observe rules. I do jump the odd red early on a Sunday if its safe to do. Do runners wait for the little green man. Do you never speed or break any laws. How many cyclists get killed jumping lights vs getting taken out from behind? Personally I have done the Engen ride a couple of times but there are too many robots, instead I aim my bike away from the city to minimise the robots and avoid the dilemma.

[Kiwi]

No, I actually caught and passed them (I was the one with the pack on riding Power Cranks) I don't think they liked that - maybe that's why they went through the red lights?

 

True, more cyclists get hit from behind. My point was how can we point fingers if we are breaking the law too?

 

Kiwi2007-11-07 00:19:32

[scotty]

There's an article the Multi Mag on this subject. In the UK more women were killed in collisions than men as men were most likely to disobey red lights.

 

Seems you are more at risk of being run over while stopping at a red light than actually going through it (cautiosly).

[butafly]

all it takes is just one rider to stop at every red light because most of the bunch want to stop, they are just too "skaam". its the pack mentality , if one goes thru, then we all go thru the lights

[AndreZA]

There's an article the Multi Mag on this subject. In the UK more women were killed in collisions than men as men were most likely to disobey red lights.

 

Why do women die if men are skipping light? What's the women doing in the middle of the road anyway? They should be at home making sure dinner is ready and waiting.

 

 

 

Okay, I'll start running.

 

 

[racman]

Just need to check something here. If I get to a Red Robot and there is no traffic coming from left or right I then turn slightly and cross in the pedestrian crossing lines. I suppose I could get off and walk in the lines which would be legal, but I ride at a slower pace. Would this be considered irresponsible and illegal or acceptable?

 

If it is early in the morning and there is NO traffic, including behind me, then I will sometimes slow down but run the Red. This would be a no-no but I don't see any harm.

[Kiwi]

all it takes is just one rider to stop at every red light because most of the bunch want to stop' date=' they are just too "skaam". its the pack mentality , if one goes thru, then we all go thru the lights[/quote']

 

That's the truth of it!

[butafly]

the clyclelab and mtn clubs in cape town also run red lights - maybe its club policy

[Kiwi]

Just need to check something here. If I get to a Red Robot and there is no traffic coming from left or right I then turn slightly and cross in the pedestrian crossing lines. I suppose I could get off and walk in the lines which would be legal' date=' but I ride at a slower pace. Would this be considered irresponsible and illegal or acceptable?

 

If it is early in the morning and there is NO traffic, including behind me, then I will sometimes slow down but run the Red. This would be a no-no but I don't see any harm.

[/quote']

 

I hear what you are saying, sitting at a red at 5.30am Sunday morning when no one is around is pretty annal..

Kiwi2007-11-07 00:44:51

[buckstopper]

Personally I hate breaking my rhythm and I can never seem to clip in easily again. I go ride where the robots aren't. I cross 4 robots on a 100k ride out and back and on average make about 6 stops depending on traffic. Can't do the 5 robots in 6 k thing, rather ride the WT

[HomerSimpson]

the clyclelab and mtn clubs in cape town also run red lights - maybe its club policy

 

But then again, I saw a large group of (I think) City Cycling Club riders (they had "CITY" printed down the side of their shorts) on the weekend passing through Stellenbosch, and they all stopped at a traffic light near the Station, even though there was no crossing traffic.

[scotty]

You seem to be flopping around a bit Kiwi, one post you agree with Butafly 100% obeying rules, next you agree there are times you need not.

[AndreZA]

 

I hear what you are saying' date=' sitting at a red at 5.30am Sunday morning when no one is around is pretty annal..

[/quote']

 

So is an enema, but every now and again you need to do it.