Stop for red?
#2
Some do, some don't, some do whatever.
__________________
Community guidelines
Community guidelines
#3
I'm American but live in Taiwan. Here it all depends on the intersection and traffic flow as to whether or not I stop fully. I always at least slow and look carefully because a scooter, bicycle, or pedestrian can pop out of nowhere often going against traffic.
In the USA I always stop at lights and stop signs.
In the USA I always stop at lights and stop signs.
#4
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Superior, WI
Bikes: 1986 Huffy Capri
At stop signs I at least come to a rolling stop. Stoplights I also stop at, but at times will treat as stop signs when there are no cars around and I know that the particular light is on a trigger.
#5
2 Fat 2 Furious
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 2
From: England
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc, 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport RIP
For me it depends what the red light is controlling.
If it's a junction with other traffic I stop. If it's a pedestrian crossing I stop if there are any pedestrians either in the road or looking as if there's even a slim chance they'll cross the road.
If a pedestrian presses the button to get their signal to cross but crosses anyway before it shows, then what the road traffic gets is a red light with nobody anywhere near the crossing. Legally you're still expected to stop but practically speaking I don't see anything so bad about going through.
If it's a junction with other traffic I stop. If it's a pedestrian crossing I stop if there are any pedestrians either in the road or looking as if there's even a slim chance they'll cross the road.
If a pedestrian presses the button to get their signal to cross but crosses anyway before it shows, then what the road traffic gets is a red light with nobody anywhere near the crossing. Legally you're still expected to stop but practically speaking I don't see anything so bad about going through.
__________________
"For a list of ways technology has failed to improve quality of life, press three"
"For a list of ways technology has failed to improve quality of life, press three"
#8
The reported crime rate in Sweden is apparently approximately 151/1000 inhabitants and rising. The numbers for the province of Quebec, Canada where I live are approximately 6/1000 inhabitants. I'm not at all jealous.
#9
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
#10
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
After living in Stockholm and Montréal, I can firmly say that Montréal is quite the craphole compared to Stockholm in terms of quality of housing, transport and overall quality of life ... crime "statistics" be damned.
#11
Meanwhile . . . back in the USA . . . I have to admit I don't come to a full stop at all red lights and stop signs, though I have become pretty good at the 1 second track stand where I roll up to the crosswalk and come to a complete stop for just an instant while not putting a foot down or even clipping out, then going again. One officer, who is a friend of mine, tried to tell me that wasn't a legal stop and that it had to be 3 seconds or something like that. I challenged him to show me the statute and he hasn't brought the subject up since.
BTW, here in MN we have a good overall quality of life and a relatively low violent crime rate.
BTW, here in MN we have a good overall quality of life and a relatively low violent crime rate.
#12
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 1,466
From: Merrimac , MA
I stop at red lights. There is one light on my way to work that takes a long time for it to turn green so I will always stop and see if there are cars coming on the cross street if I see none, then I go ahead without the light turning green. This one particular light seems to take much longer than any other light than I encounter.
#13
That's why the red light is there.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
I usually roll through Stop signs after looking in ALL directions, if there are no other cars. Otherwise I will slow down until at least the other cars have gone. If there are multiple cars then I will stop and go on my turn just like a car.
Stop lights I stop, then go through if it's clear. The law here says that bikes must come to a complete stop at a red light, but may proceed if clear, due to bikes not triggering the sensor loops and such.
Stop lights I stop, then go through if it's clear. The law here says that bikes must come to a complete stop at a red light, but may proceed if clear, due to bikes not triggering the sensor loops and such.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 2
From: Westchester County, NY
Bikes: Giant TCR SL3 and Trek 1.5
I suspect it's different in different states, depending on overall traffic volume and other factors. In some states, such as New Jersey, you don't have to remain at a red light until it turns green. There, for example, it's perfectly legal to roll through the light while still red once you've checked to ensure that no traffic is approaching.
Problem is, a lot of cops don't even know the complete rulebook as it pertains to cyclists, so you're taking a risk that you'll get hassled anywhere if you don't come to a complete stop.
Problem is, a lot of cops don't even know the complete rulebook as it pertains to cyclists, so you're taking a risk that you'll get hassled anywhere if you don't come to a complete stop.
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,082
Likes: 24
From: Southern CaliFORNIA.
Bikes: KHS Alite 500, Trek 7.2 FX , Masi Partenza, Masi Fixed Special, Masi Cran Criterium
When appropriate. On A bike I have much better visibility than a car. I usually slow at stop signs, and come to a full stop if there is a car coming on a cross street that has right of way. I stop at lights at busy intersections. The first light I come to on my morning commute is on a trigger that the bike doesn't trip, so I run it after coming to a near stop to check for cross traffic, that is light at that time of day, but can be moving really fast. I rarely stop for lights that are at the "Top of the Tee". Those are meant for cars, not bikes in a dedicated bike lanes. The law may say different, but my interpretation of the spirit of the law says it is OK.
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
I stop at red lights, all of them. If its a triggered light, i usually ride over to cross walk and hit the button or else i'll be there forever. At stop signs, i track stand, but look.
I get annoyed as hell when i see people plow through red lights on the route i ride, 3 lane high way isn't the safest road to blow through lights on when the speeds can be as high as 65+
I get annoyed as hell when i see people plow through red lights on the route i ride, 3 lane high way isn't the safest road to blow through lights on when the speeds can be as high as 65+
#21
The rate of red-light-stoppage is definitely higher in Stockholm than anywhere I've been in the US. That said, I generally stop and stay stopped at all red lights (unless it's clear the light isn't going to trip), regardless of what other cyclists around me are doing.
I think there's about 3-4 dedicated bicycle signals in the entirety of the United States.
I think there's about 3-4 dedicated bicycle signals in the entirety of the United States.
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,082
Likes: 24
From: Southern CaliFORNIA.
Bikes: KHS Alite 500, Trek 7.2 FX , Masi Partenza, Masi Fixed Special, Masi Cran Criterium




