One less Cyclist?

[Andrew G]

Very elequently put Mr. Average.

Until I started commuting last year I assumed people obeyed traffic signals (lights/RAB etc). I still can not believe the amount of riders who pay no attention to them at all, and it really pisses me off as I know I'm being lumped in with them in Mr. Daily Mail/Express' rants.

I do occaisionally shout "lights" at people on the way home to try and drum it in to them but I know I'm just wasting my breath.

Tony, I know what you mean about not lurking in junctions if you don't have to, but you can predict most lights. I think edging over them is far more "lurky" than just stopping. I normally stick myself in front of the car so they see me and in fairness most drivers do realise they aren't getting that far before the next jam so don't go mad. Yes you get a few (BMW drivers normally) but as a percentage it's probably not that many in truth.

[Tony]

It's clear from your post that your compliance with the law did not result in a safe and mature response from another road user. In this case, two options would have been to either stand in your place in the queue of traffic without overtaking anyone or to ride to the front (as almost all cyclist would do) and then ride through the junction when it is safe - irrespective of the colour of the lights (as some riders would do). Both would have been safer and likely to cause less aggravation.

It's plain and simple that the bloke you met had a maturity problem. However, had you not pushed in front of him and then got in his way (as he saw it) you'd have not wound him up so much.

Best to get as far out of the way of these road users as quickly if you can, if you ask me. That's way I go to work on the train!

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="Andrew G"]Very elequently put Mr. Average.

[quote="Seanieh_Has10TktsWant1?©"][quote="marco"]Does everyone here who commutes have reflectors on their pedals?

(Four are required, coloured amber and marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), positioned so that one is plainly visible to the front and another to the rear of each pedal.)

I hope you realise that if you don't you are breaking the law, just like how I break the law when I go through the ridiculously cycle unfriendly lights near east croydon station.

[Daniel Gee]

Marco,

I think it's not so much adherence to the law that is the issue, rather it is the perception of the, literally, thousands of motor vehicle users you will encounter each year, all of whom could quite easily kill you

99.99% of them have no interest/knowledge in the law concerning how a bike is lit.

Whats more important is that we are seen and furthermore seen to follow the same rules that govern other road users. This way, I would hope, we can create a degree of mutual respect between cyclists & motorists.

[Col]

The same respect Goliath had for David no doubt? No problem in Nirvana, however a risk assessment of the dangers posed by bikes to cars and vice versa is more real world and appropriate decisions can be made to be as safe as possible within the vulnerability of each situation.

[Mike I]

I saw six cyclists stopped at a red light on my way home yesterday.

Do I win a prize, or can anyone top that?

It sounds like Apples and I have met the same motorist. In an almost identical scenario I got: "You're them cyclists what jumps red lights, innit?" I corrected his grammar, naturally, but it was hard to argue with his general assessment of my fellow two-wheeled commuters.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

And what abour pedestrians?

I quite often go down through Sutton where there is a dedicated cycle lane, clearly marked and identified with a strip of red tarmac and a representation of sorts of a bicycle. There are bicycle lights at the crossing and yet I can guarantee that it will be full of pedestrians and when I politely (honest) suggest that they should allow cyclists through, I get abuse thrown at me - for doing what is perfectly correct.

BTW I can count on one hand the number of times I have ridden through a red light - just don't do it.

[Antloony]

I hate Sutton folk for walking in the cycle lane, Ive had abuse for riding exactly where Im permitted to. I just reply in a very smug manner 'its a cycle lane, hence the little white bikes painted on the ground'.


As for red lights, I'll jump them but only at low speed and if its 100% safe to do so, for the majority though I do stop.

The ones that get me are pedestrians on pelican crossings, they see you belting down the road flat out yet still press the button instead of waiting the 15 seconds it takes you to get past the crossing. On comes the red light...on come the brakes...AARRGGHH...

[Tony]

And who was the naughty rider proceeding along Pampisford Road in Purley towards South Croydon at about 16:30 this evening with no lights?

They looked to be riding pretty smoothly and cut through the air with a barely a whisper and they cycled passed me. No lights on a dark December evening is very bad mind! I know who is was - but can be paid to keep quiet.....

[-Adam-]

Not me I was in the door at 3.30!

[Snoop Doug]

spill the beans tony!!! go onnnnnnn

Snoopsnitch