View Poll Results: Running red lights...
It's one of the advantages of cycling. Why not?
18
15.79%
Only when I'm in a hurry and no cars are crossing.
43
37.72%
Dangerous, I never do it.
49
42.98%
It's so cool hipsters are doing it.
4
3.51%
Voters: 114. You may not vote on this poll
Cyclists who run red lights are...
06-03-14, 01:00 AM
#201
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Okay, food fight...back to your corners, we aren't going there with this one.
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You made me think of John Belushi in 'Animal House', when you said 'food fight'. But he was starting one.
06-03-14, 01:27 PM
#203
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I only do when there is no traffic, and I know the signal can not be changed by anything but a car (which are most all the signals on my commute). In that case I treat the signal as being defective (because it is). Stop, look, and go.
06-04-14, 02:19 AM
#204
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06-04-14, 02:25 AM
#205
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Dectection systems are so good these days, that it's somewhat unfair to make 2 wheelers wait two minutes rather than improve the sensors. This is an interim step at best. Better would be mandating that sensors be improved as replaced, and all new sensors be 2 wheel friendly. I believe that California took this approach and it doesn't seem to be a burden.
06-04-14, 06:37 AM
#206
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06-04-14, 07:29 AM
#207
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Cyclist that run red lights are----------------------------------stupid.
They also do a disservice to the cycling community.
They also do a disservice to the cycling community.
06-04-14, 08:58 AM
#208
Senior Member
The poll assumes all signaled intersections are equal, but they are not. Aside from valid reasons already given (eg some signals are activated by triggers that don't see bikes) my answer is that I run red lights when it is safer to do so.
As an example, one of my regular routes takes me down the city's busy main thoroughfare. At one point, there is a cross street with multiple lanes and speedy traffic. I always wait for the green light there, whether the cross street appears clear or not. At the very next intersection is a small cross street which rarely has any traffic at all, and the timing of the lights has me hitting the red almost 100% of the time. I come to a full stop, and if the cross street is clear after a thorough check (and it almost always is) I run this red light because I have to make a left turn at the next intersection which is just a short distance ahead. Running the red means the two traffic lanes I have to cross to access the left turn lane are clear because all the traffic behind me is stopped. Therefore, I can make a safe transition across all lanes. Were I to obey the law here, I would wait for the light to turn green, then immediately begin to merge across two lanes of motor vehicle traffic that is traveling faster than I am, therefore putting myself in danger and pissing off motorists in the process. In this case, I believe running the red is best for all involved, both myself and the motorists around me. Judge me if you must, but I will pick the safest course every time, whether that puts me at odds with the law or not.
As an example, one of my regular routes takes me down the city's busy main thoroughfare. At one point, there is a cross street with multiple lanes and speedy traffic. I always wait for the green light there, whether the cross street appears clear or not. At the very next intersection is a small cross street which rarely has any traffic at all, and the timing of the lights has me hitting the red almost 100% of the time. I come to a full stop, and if the cross street is clear after a thorough check (and it almost always is) I run this red light because I have to make a left turn at the next intersection which is just a short distance ahead. Running the red means the two traffic lanes I have to cross to access the left turn lane are clear because all the traffic behind me is stopped. Therefore, I can make a safe transition across all lanes. Were I to obey the law here, I would wait for the light to turn green, then immediately begin to merge across two lanes of motor vehicle traffic that is traveling faster than I am, therefore putting myself in danger and pissing off motorists in the process. In this case, I believe running the red is best for all involved, both myself and the motorists around me. Judge me if you must, but I will pick the safest course every time, whether that puts me at odds with the law or not.
Last edited by Brennan; 06-04-14 at 09:14 AM.
06-04-14, 05:24 PM
#210
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Just the other day I screamed at a jaywalker that they are doing a disservice to the walker community and they did not even get it. Entitled anarchist law-breaking walkers make us all look bad!!!!1!!!!!!!
06-05-14, 03:43 PM
#213
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I disagree. It may prejudice drivers, but that's exactly what it is, prejudice. It's just as wrong as being hostile towards all drivers because of stupid things you see drivers do (which is generally more common, given the numbers).
06-05-14, 04:04 PM
#214
incazzare.
LOL. Yeah, by that logic, if an Asian guy punches me unprovoked, that justifies being racist towards Asians.
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06-06-14, 01:11 AM
#216
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The largest compound English curse word I know of is 13 letters, were you THAT upset?
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06-06-14, 01:26 AM
#217
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Unbelievable. It's OK to act and ride like a selfish pig because there are bad drivers on the road. But being a bad cyclist is OK. No it's not. YOU are the problem. Good drivers hate selfish pig cyclists as much as good cyclists hate selfish pig drivers...but the drivers can kill. Act like responsible road users and call for our position to be recognised and enforced.
06-07-14, 09:11 PM
#218
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I have no need to be recognised. I ride like I am legal traffic and if some fat lazy cager f***s with me they are going to have a very bad day.
06-07-14, 09:20 PM
#219
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This is turning into anger management class or at the least a sideshow. I'm calling for a closure.
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06-07-14, 09:56 PM
#220
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Discussion has turned into nothing but insults. Closed.
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