Would You Run this Red ?
#1
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Would You Run this Red ?
55 Mph Speed Limit.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
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I wouldn't, but then I don't run red lights unless my presense doesn't cause them to change.
You're free to do what you want to do, but I'm of the mindset that if I want the same rights as the cagers out there I'll abide by their laws. Which means that since I wouldn't run it in a car (would you??) then I won't on a bike.
-R
You're free to do what you want to do, but I'm of the mindset that if I want the same rights as the cagers out there I'll abide by their laws. Which means that since I wouldn't run it in a car (would you??) then I won't on a bike.
-R
#3
Senior Member
Depends on traffic. But probably, at times, if the traffic is light and/or my bike doesn't trigger the light well. OTOH, if there is significant traffic, then no, probably not.
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Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#4
Senior Member
If the sensor didn't work, it would have to be extra clear, then I might. I might also dismount and walk it to the left.
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You gonna eat that?
#9
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Shame, shame if you have not reported the problem multiple times to your local traffic engineer. Carry a copy of this correspondence, in case you ever do get harrassed by law enforcement.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
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#10
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The State Police Has an office on the left side of this intersection.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
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I have a very similar light on my way to work: a left-turn with an arrow, and I have not been able to trigger the green arrow with my bike.
I wouldn't feel comfortable riding right through the light, since it's 55-mph, 4-lane, and divided.
I stop for the red light and wait for one green cycle (on the straight lane) for a car to come up and trigger the green. If no car comes along by the second green I turn left once it's clear.
Does your oncoming straight lane never turn red, does it only turn red when someone's making a left? Me, I wouldn't blow through the light, but I would turn through it after waiting a little bit.
I wouldn't feel comfortable riding right through the light, since it's 55-mph, 4-lane, and divided.
I stop for the red light and wait for one green cycle (on the straight lane) for a car to come up and trigger the green. If no car comes along by the second green I turn left once it's clear.
Does your oncoming straight lane never turn red, does it only turn red when someone's making a left? Me, I wouldn't blow through the light, but I would turn through it after waiting a little bit.
#12
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Does your oncoming straight lane never turn red?
Yes, the traffic was very heavy, so we didn't want to be sitting ducks waiting for something to Happen..
Yes, the traffic was very heavy, so we didn't want to be sitting ducks waiting for something to Happen..
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Fred "The Real Fred"
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Yeah, you're pretty out in the open there; I have the advantage of the lane divider to wait next to.
I think I'd run it, but I'd be pretty careful and I think I'd be more likely to treat it as a stop sign than to just blow through it.
Stay safe!
I think I'd run it, but I'd be pretty careful and I think I'd be more likely to treat it as a stop sign than to just blow through it.
Stay safe!
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I don't know about texas, but in California that might be concidered an 'unmarked crosswalk". so doing the dismount ped thing would be legal. But I assume there is no push button for ped so that probably wouldn't work either.
Would call the public works department and telling them that the signal doesn't trip for bike do any good or just get laughter from the person at the other end.
Would call the public works department and telling them that the signal doesn't trip for bike do any good or just get laughter from the person at the other end.
#16
Twincities MN
Jeezuz now you have photographic evidence of all you guys commiting a moving violation. Not to mention some hater will use it to spread more hate.
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If the signal won't trip for a bicycle then it is, by definition, defective.
I would stop, wait an appropriate time to ensure that the sensor loop was, in fact defective, and then I would proceed when it was safe to do so - just like I would if I was driving my car.
I would not characterize this as "running" a light.
I would stop, wait an appropriate time to ensure that the sensor loop was, in fact defective, and then I would proceed when it was safe to do so - just like I would if I was driving my car.
I would not characterize this as "running" a light.
#18
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Hang out in 55mph traffic ?!?!
Yeah right........
I wouldnt think twice about running it.
My safety comes first.
Yeah right........
I wouldnt think twice about running it.
My safety comes first.
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#19
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It looks like cyclist #2 (black shorts, silver & red jersey) is commited to cutting his left awfully close in front of the oncoming truck if it is actually going 55 mph. It also looks like the rider on his right, and the one behind him, probably had to wait for the truck to pass. If this is truly the case, and all riders couldn't safely make the turn, it's probably better for all to wait. Seeing two riders cut a last second left, and wondering if the others are going to follow, wouldn't appear very predictable from the drivers perspective.
#20
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How is it any different than being on a motorcycle or a car at that same light? I'd think you were pretty visible stopped at that light. If the bicycle doesn't trigger the light is it on any other automatic cycle that would change it?
How are you at any greater risk stopped at that light than riding on that road by "taking the lane" and riding vehicularly?
All that being said I really can't say what I'd do at that light. Especially given that it is not triggered by the bike's presence. If the OP rides that road all the time and he runs it I'd be inclined to trust his judgement.
edit: though on second look if I were that guy on the trike I'd stop before I followed the other 3 cyclists through the red for fear I'd end up as a part of the undercarriage of that oncoming truck.
Last edited by buzzman; 12-19-08 at 11:19 PM.
#21
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You're not. Being in a designated left turn lane means that the only traffic entering that lane will also be preparing to turn, and/or stopping for the red light.
#23
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That looks like a pretty nasty place to sit and wait. If there were cars coming, I'd be inclined to wait for the light. If it were dark, though, I'd probably want to get the hell out of there.
#24
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Originally Posted by Lot'sKnife
Cars, motorcycles, bicycles get rear-ended all the time. So you're right: It's not different.
I think the cyclists are in more danger running the red from the oncoming vehicle that, as Almost Trick rightly points out, may be confused by seeing a green light and several cyclists running it and not knowing if those last few will run it or not. Kind of a bad chemistry for an accident. The lead cyclist should recognize that running the light may split the group and were I in the lead I would have stopped. On group rides often the less experienced and more exhausted riders are at the back of the group and might be inclined to make a wrong decision in such circumstances.