Isn't one supposed to wait through two red cycles before legally proceeding on red? If so, then not waiting would technically still be running the light. Even so, if I'm at an intersection that I know for a fact doesn't detect me, I'm not waiting two cycles before I go.

I'm not required to call in defective detectors, and the times that I have they were not corrected.

I prefer the simulated version of crossing against traffic.

Very rarely. On my regular commute, never. Although that is mostly lights I couldn't really run anyway due to traffic.

I've run lights in the past, and can't say I'll never run one again.

Paul

I run them on rare occasion, with a stop first. But I equate running lights/signs to speeding: I sometimes speed in my vehicles, and I sometimes run lights/signs on my bicycle.

there is language to that effect in the Pennsylvania law, but I still haven't figured out how that applies to lights that don't have cycles. There are two lights in my town, neither has a cycle time -- they both change almost immediately when triggered. And neither recognizes a bicycle. I've tried every combination of running over the wires I could think of, can't get it to work. I treat them as a stop sign unless it's obviously going to be triggered by a car.

If there's traffic, I'll act like a car and stop also. If there's no one around, I'll just ride on through. No sense slowing down or stopping when I'm in the mall parking lot at some random stop sign.

Traffic lights are the same deal. If no one's around (IE, it's 2:15 am and I'm not big enough to trigger any of the lights around these parts), I'll just ride on through. During the day when there's cars to trigger the lights for me, I'll act like a car and wait.

I thought the maximum fine for traffic violation by bicycle in DC was $15. At least that was the case the only time I was cited for running a red light over twenty years ago. I guess they changed that. There is very little enforcement of bicycle traffic violations in DC. You were very unlucky, and I think you may have been overcharged.

It's interesting to me how quickly some people condemn those that ride on the wrong side of the road, or ride without lights at night, and then just as quickly justify their own running of red lights.

Paul

^^This!^^ The lights (2) on my commute can be activated by my bike, and they both cross 4 lane, 65 mph highways, so no question there. Around town, I'll stop, then proceed after a moment if the light doesn't change for me if it's clear.

Very simple....I don't run stop lights. Just like I expect cars, trucks, motorcycles etc not to run stops lights.

Lot's of people have posted their rationlizations, but they all come to same thing....I'm better than everyone else with superior vision judgement and rights.

It's really simple: if you run red lights, than the same argument/rationlization you give for yourself, you should accept from motorists for running red lights.

...and smaller size, more maneuverability, and less mass. I would be fine with any vehicle having all of these characteristics rolling through red lights (not impeding right of way traffic) just as I am fine with pedestrians doing it.

Never.

Stop signs are a different story... if there are no other vehicles around, I may chose to roll through a stop sign.

I stop for red lights. period. I may leave that red light while it is still red, but that is due to the fact that I have waited and discovered that it does not sense me.

I don't run them if there are any witnesses, to include any moving car 75 meters or so. If there aren't - I occasionally run them. I almost always stop completely before proceeding thu the red, though.

There's one on my commute that, if I run it, then hammer, I can make the next 5-6 lights between it and the train station. Before that there's one that I can run that'll ensure the next very long light at the bottom of a hill will be green for me, and I can ride right through and keep momentum up for the hill.

I tell myself that I'm keeping things safe by getting clear of intersections before cars get there, but I suspect I'm rationalizing my behavior.

I haven't run any since I got ticketed a couple of months ago and I really haven't run much of anything since my bike got stolen last month. I got ticketed despite the fact that there were pedz jaywalking parallel to me. Once he stopped me he also slapped me w/ another ticket for not having a bell. NYC cops are not the nicest people you'll ever meet and they are by no stretch NY's "finest". I don't know where they get off giving themselves that distinction. If they did their job instead of handing out frivolous tickets, maybe there wouldn't be so much bike theft in the city. Sorry for the rant... it's been a tough couple of months for me!

where is the line....a 400 lb sport motor cycle vs a Big dummy with 100 lbs of load? one could argue the motor cycle is simlar sized and is more manueverable and the acceleration will get it out of issues.

The argument of a bike is different always gets me, because it ignores the consequences if a poor choice is made...ie running a red when is is not really clear....then an innocent driver or cyclist can either deal with guilt and psychological issue of hitting a cyclist or can try to avoid a collision, perhaps causing a bigger accident.

I do not.

In the rare circumstance when the inductor won't sense my bike and there aren't any cars to trip the signal for me, I will run the red if there is no traffic at all, like at night. If there is traffic I'll hit the walk button and walk across on the signal.

Running the light reflects badly on cyclists.

I don't commute but last week I witnessed a close call; I was approaching a stop light with 2 cars in front already at the full stop, there was a guy on hardtail mtb on my right, riding on the sidewalk following the traffic. This intersection is at the bottom of a small hill, so he was approaching it pretty fast. I was watching him because I have to make the right turn; so this guy flew across and almost got T-bone by a car that coming from the left. I wondered he saw that big RED blinking hand sign.

I run red lights/stop signs whenever it makes sense to do so....ie. late at night no traffic.

+1.

I have taken it upon myself, once I found out it could be done, how to trigger the lights on my bike and I use that skill.
On my regular commutes I have enough traffic it's rarely necessary for me to leave the bike lane to rest on a sensor.
On the few streets I travel I know the light won't read my bike, it's usually in the daytime so it's not an issue, I am able
to wait for traffic to trigger fairly quickly or I avoid those streets if I think about it.
I don't like to get off the bike when in the traffic lane, I've had a couple of near misses or potential near misses trying to get to a ped signal or exit via the crosswalk so I set in the lane until a car arrives.
I have waited until the traffic was clear and crossed a red light when no car was likely coming to trigger my sensor.

Whenever it is safe. Meaning there is no chance for getting run over. Otherwise it is more of a yield situation.

Intersections are dangerous, your right. As a cyclist you are a sitting duck in the road with no cage around you to soften the blow. There aren’t many people that take the lane and wait for a green light to start walking across the road so I don’t see where pedestrians come in. Drivers are so distracted with everything else in the world that driving takes a second seat imo, so if you choose to obey all the laws great, but dont be offended if others try to limit their exposure to danger by using common sense and riding out of hazardous areas like intersections as fast as possible.

Yes, it's that simple. If a vehicle runs a red light without impeding, endangering or otherwise inconveniencing anyone, then it doesn't bother me at all.

I run red lights if it will not impede, endanger of otherwise inconvenience anyone.