Originally Posted by
tarwheel
These red light debates are getting rather tiresome. I think most would agree that "blowing" red lights without slowing down is reckless and presents a bad image for cyclists. However, karma is likely to catch up with such offenders in the longrun, either in the form of a ticket or collision with a car.
i agree with this and the person who wrote that Darwin will sort this out over time. unfortunately cyclists blowing lights and/or cycling dangerously like nearly running into pedestrians and taking right of way that isn't theirs from motorists and peds, happens all the time and everyday. in NYC i see it tons. it does reflect badly on all of us cyclists. just like the motorists who are crazy negligent/oblivous and those that drive with an intent to scare or harm ("buzzing" or other things), have cornered all motorists into a "them" category. it's not that. cyclists and motorists at some point leave their mode of transit behind and we are all peds getting around from here to there. everyone chooses their own path.
unfortunately, for road rules to work, everyone needs to observe them or it gets messy in a hurry - while people who continually disregard rules, get us and them killed in the long run. it's just not OK.
agree that cyclists stopping for red lights then proceeding thru an empty intersection vs, just blowing thru without even yielding is a huge difference. yes in amsterdam, if it was clear, cyclists keep going otherwise it does get backed up rather quickly. in that locale, don't be self-righteous, do the common sense thing.
i think it is equally annoying when cyclists just stop in the bike path to fiddle with their damn phones or chat and not pay attention to the road and who might be coming behind them. motorists do this too (stop in a moving lane) and they are drivel. drivel!!! if you need to stop, you move out of the moving lane, preferably in a safe considerate manner.
as a driver i wouldn't pull these motorists over as a citizen's arrest so i would advise the OP to no, just mind your own business. but with car dash cams and go-pros, the law could enable citizens (motorists, cyclists and peds) to do this and spark justice for the everyday man and woman just trying to get to work alive and well. think of how many less accidents and subsequent traffic there will be! i look forward to when there are drones to observe then ticket people like this when they come to a stop. haha. i wish. until then, we are stuck with the way things are now.
in any case. instead of complaining/ranting ending in nothing, let's brainstorm traffic-bettering ideas to take to our local politicians. or start a petition. haha. anyone have any?