Andy Dreisch

I often rail against my fellow cyclists because of some of their antics on the road. I, however, consider myself a straight-line, motorist-friendly, predictable bike-commuter.

Of course, I'm also a hypocrite -- I run (or "jump") a serious amount of red lights. Apparently, this is a leading cause of motorists' angst.

So my question is: is there a legitimate reason to run red lights?

I realize that it is of course illegal to do so no matter what, but I still contend that there are situations where running reds is prudent for us cyclists. When safely done, of course.

One such situation is where lanes converge or tighten immediately beyond the intersection -- better to avoid a squeeze situation. Or when the road to the left 'T's, and there's no continuation to the right. Why stop there? (OK, this is not a safety thing.)

Motorists of course don't understand the situation, and it really must burn them up to see a cyclist run a light. But I do it regularly.

Bikes-N-Drums

I was stopped at a red light, first in line, earlier this week. As I'm sitting there waiting to make a right (and I can't 'cause there's traffic coming), two serious cyclists on nice bikes blew right past me through the red light and assimilated themselves right into this oncoming traffic. I was puzzled at how insane this was for anyone to do let alone two obviously serious cyclists who should know better. I have never run a red light but I have committed a few rolling stops at stop signs. Why take the risk? It far outweighs the benefits of keeping your momentum.

Andy Dreisch

Quick note: I never used to run reds when I began bike-commuting five or so years ago. I gradually started to run lights over time, but again only when it is safely done.

On my commute this tactic saves probably 10 minutes or so. More importantly, in many instances it actually increases the safety of the ride (no fooling).

(One day I'm going to count the amount of lights ... it's probably more than 20.)

al223

It is handy on pedestrian crossings on steepish climbs on busy roads, such as whiteladies road in Bristol, there it is surely safer if the lights change just as you get there and you don't have time to change down gears and the pedestrians are at the other side of the road, to continue rather than stop and make a wobbly start and get hit by a bus.

Bikes-N-Drums

Hey, I'll take the 10 minutes away from my job - I'll enjoy that time on the street more than I would in my chair!
You know it's coming: "safely" running a red light is a contradiction. As safe as you think it is, it's a dice roll and one day you might crap out. Worst-case scenario, you get hit running a red light. You are at fault. Your hospital stay may not be covered. You could get sued afterwards for a number of reasons. Other people may get hurt. Etc. etc. etc.
To me, 'I'm running the red light to save time' falls into the same category as 'I'm not wearing a helmet 'cause I look funny' and 'I'm going to listen to headphones 'cause I like this song '. I'm not trying to be insulting, please don't take that the wrong way. I simply feel that the risks outweigh the benefits.

SD Fixed

I agree with you. However: take this into "light". On the way into work, I roll down a hill on Markette street. I can see both directions for 2 blocks on the other street. I can see this for about 3 blocks up on my side coming down. With no traffic, I can "run it" and be clean and clear with out problems.

Would you not consider this safe?

Also, on the lights that I make a left turn, that don't change, I sit in the turn lane until A) it's clear, or B) someone drives up behind me.

I agree, it's a risk, but if you caculate your risks correctly, you've handled them.

Is this so wrong?

Bikes-N-Drums

My feeling is that it's still not a safe thing to do. If you are willing to accept the risks and any liabilities associated with it, then go for it.

Anders K

I try to always stop at a red light. Now, Iīm not a guy that loves rules for their own sake, but because in traffic they help save lives, and create a little order in what would soon be a total caos without rules. But I can understand when someone when in a hurry and alone in the street would rather run red light than wait for a car to get the light to change. Some lights donīt notice a bicycle. Rules are there for our own protection.

Anders K

LittleBigMan

In my opinion (and this is what I practice,) it's safest to merge into the line of traffic at a red light. When you are behind a motorist, you cannot be "squeezed." As traffic picks up speed at the green light, motorists simply pass you when it's safe to do so.

Once recently, I was positioned first at a red light, on my bike. I was tired. The other light turned yellow. I got ready. Then it turned red. I paused, then started. To my left, a van ran through the red light and would have hit me if I had not been more alert.

Running red lights is a risky business. Don't put yourself at unnecessary risk.

SD Fixed

Andy Dreisch

Hmmm. Maybe I'm more aggressive a b-c'er than I thought. I always go to the light, bypassing the cars waiting in line. I never merge with traffic at lights. My experience is that merging actually increases my risk because I have fewer "escape routes". Personal choice, I guess.

Unless I misunderstand, if I merged into traffic prior to the red light itself, I'd have to ride with the flow and move over to the right sooner or later. This is because the traffic would pick up speed as it moved thru the intersection. I'd still get squeezed at the narrowing intersection (my example), unless I "took the lane". But I don't believe that taking the lane is called for in this case. (BTW, I have several such intersections on my route. And I have no qualms whatsoever with taking a lane when called for.)

However, by (a) being at the light and (b) jumping the red light before it turns green -- after cautiously canvassing the situation -- and then proceeding, I avoid the line of traffic at the squeeze zone altogether. I simply beat them there. Then, once I pass the narrowed area, I'm free as a bird.

In this way, drivers don't have to worry about passing a bicyclist in a narrowing space (which gets them all flustered), nor do they worry about bicycles in their midst (as is the case when merging).

One other thing: My bike-commute would probably add 15 minutes if I did not jump to the front and occassionally jump the light. But this is secondary. The primary goal (really, honestly) is safety.

MichaelW

There are some red lights I cross, but I never blast pass them.
One is installed at the bottom of a steep hill with a 20m stretch of road BEFORE any crossing. Its a 2-lane merging to 1 layout, and in the evening, the lights always flip against me before I safely cross the junction. rather than be caught against the traffic half way up a steep hill, I make an advance crossing.

Another is downhill, with the lights at a T junction, so Im never going to get pasted from the nearside. Again its a 2-wide lane merging to 1 narrow, with a traffic island, and on several occcasions Ive been half-overtaken and forced off the road by cars. I make an advanced crossing and pick up on the tail of the last guy out of the T.

Both situations are hazardous when legal, and safer when crossed.

RWTD

My experience is when you don't run red lights or try to squeeze past cars to the front of the intersection drivers tend to respect you more and go out of their way to make room and pass safely.If you do these things they tend to give you less respect and less room taking the attitude bicyclists are unpredictable and don't belong on the road.Plus if you start running lights you tend to start getting in a risk taking mode whether intentionally or not and one miscalculation or unalert moment could prove fatal.So I think its just not a good habit .

PaulH

Unless there is an emergency, I don't think running a red light is ever justified. Not only is it against the law and risky, it reflects badly on all of us. When I see another cyclist running a red, I call them on it.

Then, again...you probably should not listen to me. I'm enough of a crank to want to see "right turn on red" abolished.

Paul

Andy Dreisch

My experience is exactly the opposite. When I move to the front I command attention. I find this works to my advantage.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not arrogant or anything. It's just that I am very, very visible.

RWTD

Sure your visible but the cars will move to the right to try to block you from passing and I would be concerned looking over my shoulder for drivers mad because now they have to pass you for a second time instead of just once

RWTD

Let me amend my posts by saying that if there is plenty of room or a bike lane I will go past cars in line for the reason you stated or to inda shady spot a good curb to stop at.On a crowded road I will not try to push past cars this is what I was saying.

Andy Dreisch

Sorry, this has not been my experience. I believe drivers are in fact relieved that they don't have to contend with a two-wheeled contraption.

Anders K

I believe itīs important to act in such a way people donīt get offended in traffic. Therefore I think holding the place in line and not rolling past some cars and placing youself in front is a good thing. Do you like people who try to slip past you in a line? Also obeying the same rules that car drivers have to obey is good for "friendlier" traffic. Treat others in traffic in the same way you want others to treat you

Anders K

pforbes

Forrester says in Effective Cycling that if the light doesn't change for bicycles then it is legal to run it. Anybody know if this is true?

MediaCreations 

Are you happy to be fined if you're caught going through a red?

Are you happy for motorists to decide which road rules they like and which ones they feel they should obey too?

Should we all decide to follow only the laws we like and ignore the rest? Is it right to ignore the law if we can justify the reason to ourselves?

Sounds like anarchy to me.

(I'll sit here and wait for the flames. )

Andy Dreisch

Italicized quotes from MediaCreations:

Are you happy to be fined if you're caught going through a red? Happy, no. Understand, yes.

Are you happy for motorists to decide which road rules they like and which ones they feel they should obey too? My original post acknowledged the illegality of jumping a red (I never "run" a red; only "jump" a red; subtle distinction, but still illegal.)

Should we all decide to follow only the laws we like and ignore the rest? Is it right to ignore the law if we can justify the reason to ourselves? I will gladly violate a law/ordinance if that law jeopardizes my safety. I believe this to be the case in certain situations. However, I readily acknowledge that I am unfortunately violating a law. I'd rather have the ticket than get squished like a bug.

(BTW, I've NEVER gotten a ticket or even a warning in my 5+ years of bike-commuting.)

cyclezealot

Am I breaking the spirit of being the law abiding cyclist?? Sometimes, I am moving so well and cycling feels so good; I do not want to stop and unclick.. So what do I do... I make a right turn and ride maybe another 3/4 mile before I turn around. Do this several times, i might add 4-5 miles to my ride..

Chris L

To my knowledge, running a red light is perfectly legal if you have first stopped and ascertained that the sensor is not responding to you. Those are the only circumstances under which I have run a red light (I've ridden at 4.30am before, and there isn't always someone to come along and set it off for me).

So will I. However, I generally find abiding by the law is the safest thing to do anyway, so there's rarely an issue there.

Another thing, if squeezing a bike up to the front of a traffic queue at a red light is illegal, can someone tell me why the Gold Coast City Council have line markings at so many intersections to encourage this practice? I've never thought of it as illegal, given that there is no law prohibiting overtaking in this country.

MediaCreations 

I've never got a ticket or warning in my 20+ years of bike commuting. I've also never been squished or felt in danger by stopping at red lights.