observations during a two-month break from commuting
#26
I agree 100% and see people burn through stop signals ... these are dedicated stop signals for the bike lane only and are timed to operate in certain conjunctions with the stop signals for the cars and peds at intersections (we have three different dedicated lanes and signals at most major intersections ... one for autos, one for bikes and one for peds).
You wish death or serious injury on somebody for being a "repeat offender" blowing a red light? You wish to expand that suffering to the conscience of the driver who collided with them? You sound like a wonderfully friendly and reasonable person.
#27
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 42
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
Yeah, we have some of these signals where I live too and they mostly suck. The timers often don't reflect actual traffic conditions. The light would rather have me wait 2-3 minutes when there is very little cross traffic. No thanks, I'll go through the red light anyway.
You wish death or serious injury on somebody for being a "repeat offender" blowing a red light? You wish to expand that suffering to the conscience of the driver who collided with them? You sound like a wonderfully friendly and reasonable person.
You wish death or serious injury on somebody for being a "repeat offender" blowing a red light? You wish to expand that suffering to the conscience of the driver who collided with them? You sound like a wonderfully friendly and reasonable person.
B. Natural selection at work. It's also a horrible example for children ... most red lights here have signs that state "Children are watching so don't cross on red."
C. Do what you will, but don't expect me to shed a tear if/when you get hit. I'd feel worse for the driver (if it was red.)
#28
Been Around Awhile

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,679
Likes: 1,989
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
B. Natural selection at work. It's also a horrible example for children ... most red lights here have signs that state "Children are watching so don't cross on red."
C. Do what you will, but don't expect me to shed a tear if/when you get hit. I'd feel worse for the driver (if it was red.)
C. Do what you will, but don't expect me to shed a tear if/when you get hit. I'd feel worse for the driver (if it was red.)
#29
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 42
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
Seriously. Those type of riders make it more dangerous for the people riding correctly and they're a horrible example for the next generation of riders. Everyone on BF should be against people riding in that manner.
#30
Yes, at some signals this is sadly the case but it can be improved.
Waaaa! Think of the children!
And you have a poor understanding of what natural selection means in this kontext.
Is it really more dangerous? Where I live literally thousands of people are safely going through red lights and stop signs all across the city. Where are the reports that show these cyclists cause death and mayhem by rolling through red lights and stop signs when it is clearly safe to do so?
Bicycles and motorized vehicles are two VASTLY different modes of transportation. They both get you from A to B. That is where the similarities end. I am a firm believer that bicycles do NOT have the same responsibilities as motorized vehicles when it comes to red lights and stop signs. I believe that cyclists can approach these signals SLOWLY, and STOP if needed to allow cross traffic AND pedestrians to cross before proceeding through the red light or stop sign.
I have done that every single day of riding for the past 15 years and have never crashed, collided into a car or pedestrian or another cyclist. I will continue to roll through red lights and stop signs.
And you have a poor understanding of what natural selection means in this kontext. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are two VASTLY different modes of transportation. They both get you from A to B. That is where the similarities end. I am a firm believer that bicycles do NOT have the same responsibilities as motorized vehicles when it comes to red lights and stop signs. I believe that cyclists can approach these signals SLOWLY, and STOP if needed to allow cross traffic AND pedestrians to cross before proceeding through the red light or stop sign.
I have done that every single day of riding for the past 15 years and have never crashed, collided into a car or pedestrian or another cyclist. I will continue to roll through red lights and stop signs.
Last edited by agent pombero; 11-28-12 at 11:46 AM.
#31
Been Around Awhile

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,679
Likes: 1,989
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Baloney!
#32
LOL Yeah - after a quick look at your last weeks postings in this forum - I'm not surprised that went over your head. Thats not my view about cycling - its my view about life in general. Social life-forms florish - anti-social (solitary) life-forms eventually .... just disappear.
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
#33
Yeah IMO too many cyclists are both reckless and stupid. I brought up this case before and I'll do it again - an 18 year old boy was killed by a truck this summer on a section of the bicycle path I commute on almost every day. There was a stop sign there - he ignored it. I mean - stop signs on bicycle paths are just plain stupid -right? Thing is - that was the point where the bicycle path crossed an entrance to an industrial park and no one else had a stop sign. He ended up under the wheels of a truck.
I'd like to say it was an isolated incident and couldn't happen again, but the news channel filmed that corner for a half hour and not one cyclist stoped at the sign.
I'd like to say it was an isolated incident and couldn't happen again, but the news channel filmed that corner for a half hour and not one cyclist stoped at the sign.
I promise you that stop sign, as the 30 min news shot uncovered, is being blown 90% of the time year round. Right now as I type this some cyclist just rolled through it. And how many deaths have occurred? Probably not many. The vast majority of cyclists are able to go through red lights and stop signs because it is safe to do so. Through route experience I know which lights or stop signs I can safely go through based upon lines of sight, traffic conditions, etc. If I can't accurately see very far to my right or left, I WILL come to a complete stop and wait.
And I get EXACTlY the same treatment trying to cross an intersection at the end of my street on a bicycle. There's a stop sign on the bike path on the other side of the street and a stop sign on both sides of the street. Motorists have no problem stopping to let me cross. Cyclists? I've had three close calls because they'd rather run down another cyclist than stop for anyone.
#34
Exactly. It is inconvenient to me and so therefore I safely disregard these rules that were designed for motorized vehicles. Besides bicycling being a wonderful form of exercise, saving money, creating less carbon emissions, etc, one of the major reasons why I love my bicycle is the independence it gives me. Part of that independence is being less tied down to stop signs and red lights because my mode of transportation affords me the ability to safely go through these traffic control devices.
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
#35
GO read
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...446296016?pg=2
Some of the comments on that page are the reason i don't think it is a good idea to run red lights. It tends to stir up the agro driver and they all get on the kill Cyclist band wagon
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...446296016?pg=2
Some of the comments on that page are the reason i don't think it is a good idea to run red lights. It tends to stir up the agro driver and they all get on the kill Cyclist band wagon
#37
GO read
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...446296016?pg=2
Some of the comments on that page are the reason i don't think it is a good idea to run red lights. It tends to stir up the agro driver and they all get on the kill Cyclist band wagon
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...446296016?pg=2
Some of the comments on that page are the reason i don't think it is a good idea to run red lights. It tends to stir up the agro driver and they all get on the kill Cyclist band wagon

__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
#38
.While i normally agree with the implied "should not conform just to make the mass's happy " if it is putting my self and other Brisbane Cyclist at risk should i still do it ?
#39
Missing the point, it is those people we have to share the world with . If doing something generates the hate of the common motorist , no matter how practical it seems to us it may not be the best idea ... they are the ones with the 2 tons of steel and plastic
.
While i normally agree with the implied "should not conform just to make the mass's happy " if it is putting my self and other Brisbane Cyclist at risk should i still do it ?
.While i normally agree with the implied "should not conform just to make the mass's happy " if it is putting my self and other Brisbane Cyclist at risk should i still do it ?
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
#40
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 42
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
today I saw student who ran a red light getting a ticket from a cop on a motorcycle and I asked "how much" when I rode buy.
he shouted €180 and 6 points (same fine as a car.) cop said "not so inexpensive". the 6 points does suck as 18 points in 5 years and one has to do a mandatory medical and psychological assessment (MPA).
he won't be running any more lights any time soon.
he shouted €180 and 6 points (same fine as a car.) cop said "not so inexpensive". the 6 points does suck as 18 points in 5 years and one has to do a mandatory medical and psychological assessment (MPA).
he won't be running any more lights any time soon.
#41
today I saw student who ran a red light getting a ticket from a cop on a motorcycle and I asked "how much" when I rode buy.
he shouted €180 and 6 points (same fine as a car.) cop said "not so inexpensive". the 6 points does suck as 18 points in 5 years and one has to do a mandatory medical and psychological assessment (MPA).
he won't be running any more lights any time soon.
he shouted €180 and 6 points (same fine as a car.) cop said "not so inexpensive". the 6 points does suck as 18 points in 5 years and one has to do a mandatory medical and psychological assessment (MPA).
he won't be running any more lights any time soon.
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
#43
today I saw student who ran a red light getting a ticket from a cop on a motorcycle and I asked "how much" when I rode buy.
he shouted €180 and 6 points (same fine as a car.) cop said "not so inexpensive". the 6 points does suck as 18 points in 5 years and one has to do a mandatory medical and psychological assessment (MPA).
he won't be running any more lights any time soon.
he shouted €180 and 6 points (same fine as a car.) cop said "not so inexpensive". the 6 points does suck as 18 points in 5 years and one has to do a mandatory medical and psychological assessment (MPA).
he won't be running any more lights any time soon.
Last edited by agent pombero; 11-29-12 at 10:22 AM.
#45
Been Around Awhile

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,679
Likes: 1,989
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
If/when €180 ($234 equivalent) and 6 points (18 points in 5 years mandates medical and psychological assessment) penalties are implemented and enforced in the U.S., with no significant change to the bicycling environment in urban areas, the miniscule rate of adult cycling for transportation in urban areas will shrink to infinitesimal.
#46
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 42
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
If/when €180 ($234 equivalent) and 6 points (18 points in 5 years mandates medical and psychological assessment) penalties are implemented and enforced in the U.S., with no significant change to the bicycling environment in urban areas, the miniscule rate of adult cycling for transportation in urban areas will shrink to infinitesimal.
I also disagree with you as the fines are both the same price (car or bike). It seems that people get speeding tickets all the time and that doesn't prevent them from driving?
#47
The threat of tickets shouldn't really scare the cautious red light or stop sign runner. All senses must be on high alert to make it safely to the other side without harming others or oneself. Thus, if one is doing it correctly, they should be able to spot the police on the road idling on the side, just waiting for those naughty naughty cyclists.
Last edited by agent pombero; 11-29-12 at 10:31 AM.
#48
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 42
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

not you, as in "you", but you as in "the cycling community within the US."
as far as you in person:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stochastic_processes
#49

not you, as in "you", but you as in "the cycling community within the US."
as far as you in person:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stochastic_processes
#50




