Cyclists......tut tut tut

[darrsi]

I dunno about you but i have zero desire to jump a red light!


Watch the video to the end, the fella taking his jacket off is priceless. 


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2600627/Cyclist-outraged-fellow-riders-bad-habits-installs-helmet-camera-catches-jumping-red-lights-cutting-motorists-using-mobile-phones.html

[Buzz]

Unbelievable! Someone using a mobile phone whist cycling slowly on a deserted path.  Bring back hanging, I say!


That last guy was lucky not to be spitting polos by the end

[fazersharp]

Shock horror woman uses mobile phone on a countryside path.
As for red lights, many years ago I used to commute to work on a push bike and I learnt that there were certain traffic lights that it was actually safer to go through the red light rather than be within the melay of trucks and busses that a few yards ahead would be running me into the pavement, those on the vid none were approached by any cars coming the other direction, meaning that they knew the lights and that it was safe for them.
He is an angry cyclist and if in a car he would be road raged.
As for pavements, there was a partially nasty bit of road where I was clipped and ended up with a fractured scull and cheekbone and ever since then I always did that bit on the pavement, and god help me if any twat like that started pointing and yelling at me.

[Buzz]

As for red lights, many years ago I used to commute to work on a push bike and I learnt that there were certain traffic lights that it was actually safer to go through the red light rather than be within the melay of trucks and busses

I cycle 7 miles through London every day and agree with this all the way.  Because of the 8 deaths last year Boris stationed police on all the dangerous junctions in London to "Educate" both cyclists and drivers, in other words "obey the Highway code to the letter or we'll fine you".  I argued pretty much daily with one officer or another on the wisdom and virtue of starting off next to a cement mixer or a left turning bus when I could easily and safely jump the lights and be out of danger.  No one listened to me or any of the other cyclists I saw making similar arguments.  The police are gone now and everyone's back to navigating those junctions in the safest way possible.


NOTE: - I do not condone cyclists on the pavement or going through pedestrian crossings when anyone is on them, those people are idiots!

[fazersharp]

I cycle 7 miles through London every day and agree with this all the way.  Because of the 8 deaths last year Boris stationed police on all the dangerous junctions in London to "Educate" both cyclists and drivers, in other words "obey the Highway code to the letter or we'll fine you".  I argued pretty much daily with one officer or another on the wisdom and virtue of starting off next to a cement mixer or a left turning bus when I could easily and safely jump the lights and be out of danger.  No one listened to me or any of the other cyclists I saw making similar arguments.  The police are gone now and everyone's back to navigating those junctions in the safest way possible.

Agreed

 NOTE: - I do not condone cyclists on the pavement or going through pedestrian crossings when anyone is on them, those people are idiots!

And agreed

[Dead Eye]

Most of the captured cyclists were harmless - a few dozy idiots as always though.

So, as per usual, its the few minority "offenders" that are ruining it for everyone else...

[Grahamm]

What is needed is a fundamental change in attitudes by *ALL* road users.

Unfortunately that requires education and that costs money...

[darrsi]

What is needed is a fundamental change in attitudes by *ALL* road users.

Unfortunately that requires education and that costs money...

I'd be happy if people could be re-educated on simply walking across a road without creating some sort of dangerous situation.


The dangers of crossing a road were drummed into you when i was at school, with an added tv campaign to enforce it.
I rarely see any evidence of kids really giving a shit when walking out in front of me these days, in fact they're more likely to slow down and stare you out with a bit of attitude for good measure around my way! 


The ONLY place where i see a bit of sense is when i stop at a crossing outside Harrow School, you can almost guarantee that nearly every kid will show manners and say thank you to you for stopping, it's actually quite refreshing for a change!   

[richfzs]

It also requires a large dose of common sense as well, something that is desperately lacking in the vast majority of people.

Edit: obviously a reply to grahamm's post, rather than darrsi's...

[richfzs]

On reply to darrsi, yep, the little bastards from the school near me swarm across the road, completely ignoring the light controlled crossings, and expect that their numbers will keep them safe.

Similar thing happened at my school, until one kid got knocked down and seriously injured - then we learnt...

[darrsi]

On reply to darrsi, yep, the little bastards from the school near me swarm across the road, completely ignoring the light controlled crossings, and expect that their numbers will keep them safe.

Similar thing happened at my school, until one kid got knocked down and seriously injured - then we learnt...

Another one that irritates me a bit, although i tend to let it go, is when i'm "slowly and safely" overtaking static cars on the outside and people go to cross the road in between vehicles but only look left, because nothing could ever possibly be travelling from the right?


This is often where i have to decide whether i pull the clutch in, roll up to them and just as they give a glimpse to the right unleash the air horn. 


I'm sorry but it's for their own good. (i don't do it often, honest) 

[mr self destruct]

As for red lights, many years ago I used to commute to work on a push bike and I learnt that there were certain traffic lights that it was actually safer to go through the red light rather than be within the melay of trucks and busses

I cycle 7 miles through London every day and agree with this all the way.  Because of the 8 deaths last year Boris stationed police on all the dangerous junctions in London to "Educate" both cyclists and drivers, in other words "obey the Highway code to the letter or we'll fine you".  I argued pretty much daily with one officer or another on the wisdom and virtue of starting off next to a cement mixer or a left turning bus when I could easily and safely jump the lights and be out of danger.  No one listened to me or any of the other cyclists I saw making similar arguments.  The police are gone now and everyone's back to navigating those junctions in the safest way possible.


NOTE: - I do not condone cyclists on the pavement or going through pedestrian crossings when anyone is on them, those people are idiots!

I'm on the other side of the fence on this. When on my pushbike I never jump red lights, and if there's a vehicle signalling left at the front I let them go. If they're not I position myself so they can see me so there's minimum danger of getting hit.
As a car driver I also once knocked a lad off his bike. I was turning right at a T junction at the end of a road (out of the side road onto the main) with my lights on green, when the lad shot the red lights and went straight in front of me, leaving me no time to react let alone brake. Broke his leg, scuffed my front bumper. He swore he was going to 'fuck me good and proper' in court until the witnesses said they saw him jump the red.


So forgive me if I don't understand how you can "[size=78%]easily and safely jump the lights and be out of danger" [/size]

[fazersharp]

So forgive me if I don't understand how you can "[size=78%]easily and safely jump the lights and be out of danger" [/size]

    No not all red lights and to do it safely you need to know the lights - this will be from being there every single day at the same time of day.

[darrsi]

As for red lights, many years ago I used to commute to work on a push bike and I learnt that there were certain traffic lights that it was actually safer to go through the red light rather than be within the melay of trucks and busses

I cycle 7 miles through London every day and agree with this all the way.  Because of the 8 deaths last year Boris stationed police on all the dangerous junctions in London to "Educate" both cyclists and drivers, in other words "obey the Highway code to the letter or we'll fine you".  I argued pretty much daily with one officer or another on the wisdom and virtue of starting off next to a cement mixer or a left turning bus when I could easily and safely jump the lights and be out of danger.  No one listened to me or any of the other cyclists I saw making similar arguments.  The police are gone now and everyone's back to navigating those junctions in the safest way possible.


NOTE: - I do not condone cyclists on the pavement or going through pedestrian crossings when anyone is on them, those people are idiots!

I'm on the other side of the fence on this. When on my pushbike I never jump red lights, and if there's a vehicle signalling left at the front I let them go. If they're not I position myself so they can see me so there's minimum danger of getting hit.
As a car driver I also once knocked a lad off his bike. I was turning right at a T junction at the end of a road (out of the side road onto the main) with my lights on green, when the lad shot the red lights and went straight in front of me, leaving me no time to react let alone brake. Broke his leg, scuffed my front bumper. He swore he was going to 'fuck me good and proper' in court until the witnesses said they saw him jump the red.


So forgive me if I don't understand how you can "[size=78%]easily and safely jump the lights and be out of danger" [/size]

I'm gonna stick my neck out and say i agree with you.


If a car, bike, lorry, etc approaches a junction and sees a green light ahead of them then it's their right to proceed through it.
I'm always cautious anyway because of emergency service vehicles that may fly through but they at least will be lit up and as noisy as foc whilst doing it.
But i don't see how a cyclist can "safely" jump a red light, i just don't get it?
It's not as if they can realistically accelerate out of danger, but that aside, why should they even have to, and why should other drivers have to expect rogue cyclists not obeying the rules of the road cycling out in front of them when they have no right to do so?
And as we all know, a motorbike can look like it's far away but be on top of you in a split second as well.


When i worked in Oxford Street years ago i would generally see at least one push bike involved in some sort of accident, and that was just in my lunch break!!
I know it's probably 'the' most hectic place but it was down to cyclists not giving a shit, and it's always them that pays the price as well? 


You never see a cyclist flatten a lorry do you?

[mr self destruct]

No not all red lights and to do it safely you need to know the lights - this will be from being there every single day at the same time of day.

Yeah, but it's the traffic that's the variable, that can't be predicted.


Then again, you're still here to tell the tale. It's just that we have differing experiences that formed our opinions I suppose, but it's not something I'd ever do.

[Dave48]

Surely Red traffic lights apply to ALL road users. Perhaps its seeing the "kamikaze" cyclists that's encouraging the brain dead cagers jumping red lights?

[richfzs]

Interesting thought Dave, not sure I think it follows - but there is certainly more going through after the light has gone red, happening around here than there used to be.

[darrsi]

Interesting thought Dave, not sure I think it follows - but there is certainly more going through after the light has gone red, happening around here than there used to be.

It's like i was saying the other day, i've seen SEVEN cars go through a hard RED light before, tailgating as if they were a train.........just unbelievable.

[Buzz]

So forgive me if I don't understand how you can "[size=78%]easily and safely jump the lights and be out of danger" [/size]

    No not all red lights and to do it safely you need to know the lights - this will be from being there every single day at the same time of day.

^this.  I don't jump a red light if I don't know the light/traffic direction etc., only the dangerous ones I know well from the last 20 years of cycling in London.  On some of the recent fatal accident sites they've now put in separate traffic lights for cyclists and hold the traffic back a bit longer.  I've simply been doing this for years, never had an accident or even come close.  Obviously if I can't see the traffic I'm not going to blindly cycle through a junction, just as a pedestrian wouldn't cross the road on a sharp bend.

There are so many "bad" cyclists out there, and by this I'm mean inexperienced for London road, these cumbersome Boris bikes ridden by tourists in rush-hour have just made it worse.  I see horrible situations every day, young girls with no helmets cycling right next to lorrys, people squeezing between buses that start to narrow and slamming on brakes when that Tesco's lorry suddenly decides to turn left. 

You gotta keep your wits about you anyways, the cars seem to be getting worse at jumping the lights.  I got properly hooted just last night on the fazer with my wife on the back for stopping at a late yellow.

[darrsi]

I've got a good idea, what about putting an engine on a bicycle.........oh.........wait a minute.........

[Grahamm]

I'd be happy if people could be re-educated on simply walking across a road without creating some sort of dangerous situation.

By co-incidence, I've just read a piece in the latest IAM Magazine about this.

Aardman Animations (the people behind Wallace and Grommit) have joined up with the RAC to launch a new road safety character for kids (like the old Tufty Club) but what they're doing is getting the kids to do the design work to make it appeal to kids and avoid the sort of dreadfully patronising campaigns that well meaning (but clueless) adults have come up with in the past.

See http://www.roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/3445.html

[Grahamm]

Surely Red traffic lights apply to ALL road users.

They do and at *all* times, ie even if it's the middle of the night and the streets are empty and the lights on the pedestrian crossing ahead have decided to change to red of their own volition simply to relieve the monotony.

[mr self destruct]

Unfortunately this situation is inevitable when you have a vehicle you can buy and use on the road without any form of training, licensing or insurance.
You've got to differentiate between responsible cyclists (you know the type, lights, helmet, has actually heard of the highway code) and the average Joe Prick that walks into Halfords, buys a bike, and gets straight into it in the middle of rush hour.

[darrsi]

I'd be happy if people could be re-educated on simply walking across a road without creating some sort of dangerous situation.

By co-incidence, I've just read a piece in the latest IAM Magazine about this.

Aardman Animations (the people behind Wallace and Grommit) have joined up with the RAC to launch a new road safety character for kids (like the old Tufty Club) but what they're doing is getting the kids to do the design work to make it appeal to kids and avoid the sort of dreadfully patronising campaigns that well meaning (but clueless) adults have come up with in the past.

See http://www.roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/3445.html

Anything to do with road safety that can also get kids interested is always a good thing, because it effects everyone.
I'm from the era of the Green Cross Code but it still sticks in my head even now, so it does set you up for life when you're taught from a young age.

[Simon.Pieman]

About an hour ago I walked across this very junction, no traffic lights, no traffic rules and thankfully lorries are banned in Hanoi. A keen sense of spatial awareness and showing consideration for others is the secret of using the city roads here, plus pedestrians and cyclists always have right of way over engine power. It works.