What are Traffic Lights there for???

[petermijackson]

I would be interested in know people's opinion's on traffic lights.

I have been cycling to work now for the last couple of months and while I can get over the slow cyclists (as everybody needs to go at their own pace), there is one thing that annoys and that is other cyclists not obeying traffic lights. While I stop at traffic lights, the guy or gal that I have just overtaken someway back the road appears beside me and wobble their way through the red light.

While this is not just annoying for me as I am trying to be the law abiding citizen, do these people not realise how dangerous it is?

Has anyone ever seen the Gardai speak to anybody about behaviour on their bicycle?

[seamus]

Originally Posted by petermijackson

I would be interested in know people's opinion's on traffic lights.

I have been cycling to work now for the last couple of months and while I can get over the slow cyclists (as everybody needs to go at their own pace), there is one thing that annoys and that is other cyclists not obeying traffic lights. While I stop at traffic lights, the guy or gal that I have just overtaken someway back the road appears beside me and wobble their way through the red light.

While this is not just annoying for me as I am trying to be the law abiding citizen, do these people not realise how dangerous it is?

It's highly irritating, but you're not a Garda (I assume), so any attempt to do or say anything is likely to be met with a scoff or a punch in the nose.

Just look after your own behaviour, set a good example, and let other people worry about themselves. If they get creamed through a light, darwin in action.

FWIW, anyone who breaks lights in the course of "the race" is immediately disqualified. So don't get too down about them passing you

Has anyone ever seen the Gardai speak to anybody about behaviour on their bicycle?

Once. I was on George's St waiting to turn onto Dame St. The ped lights were green (meaning that all roads were stopped) and a guy comes flying from Olympia direction down Dame street, through the lights, past a Garda on a bicycle. Garda gives chase (didn't have to push himself that hard), while the moron breaks the ped lights at Central Bank *and* on College Green, right in front of the Garda. He looked altogether confused when I passed him - there seems to be this general belief (among drivers and cyclists it must be said) that it's legal for bikes to ignore the lights so long as there's nothing coming.

[Caroline_ie]

There has been many discussions about the Red Light Jumpers on this forum.
I personally stop at lights, I usually go quite fast on the fixie and on a daily basis, I do get passed by wobbly POBs and I have now adopted the 'Meh' attitude. I just overtake them again aftewards...
I happens that on a early sunday morning, when i am on my bike, and there is no car whatsoever and the lights don't turn green, I will look and cross the road. But in traffic, never.
Anyway. I don't really care about RLJPOBs, they're just idiots to me.

[Lumen]

RLJ is endemic in Ireland, with cars as well as bikes.

On most car journeys during commuting hours I see other cars approaching an amber from 50m away and just cruising on through the red. Then there is the yellow-box blocking, lack of indication, driving whilst holding mobile etc.

At least the RLJOBs are mostly only endangering themselves.

Just relax and bask in your moral superiority. Or hit them in the face with a u-lock.

[Jawgap]

Traffic lights are there to regulate your cycling:-

Red = stop

Green = go / keep going / spinning / cruising

Amber = sprint for all your worth!!

[tunney]

Originally Posted by petermijackson

I would be interested in know people's opinion's on traffic lights.

I have been cycling to work now for the last couple of months and while I can get over the slow cyclists (as everybody needs to go at their own pace), there is one thing that annoys and that is other cyclists not obeying traffic lights. While I stop at traffic lights, the guy or gal that I have just overtaken someway back the road appears beside me and wobble their way through the red light.

While this is not just annoying for me as I am trying to be the law abiding citizen, do these people not realise how dangerous it is?

Has anyone ever seen the Gardai speak to anybody about behaviour on their bicycle?

Quite often its safer for the cyclist to break a red light.

[Micilin Muc]

How about cyclists that don't stop at the white line?

I very rarely get overtaken by other cyclists, but when I stop at the white line, other cyclists will overtake me and park right in front of me, or as close to the junction as they can sometimes. When the lights turn green again, I pass them out by the time they have two pushes of the pedals! I don't understand them!

[Jawgap]

Originally Posted by tunney

Quite often its safer for the cyclist to break a red light.

these threads are surely one of the great triumverate of threads (along with helmets and headphones) that will ensure this forum will never lack something to discuss

I've done my fair share of RLJing but I've stopped because I think it's a bad habit to get into that leads you to jumping that one red light you shouldn't.

[Jawgap]

Originally Posted by Micilin Muc

How about cyclists that don't stop at the white line?

I very rarely get overtaken by other cyclists, but when I stop at the white line, other cyclists will overtake me and park right in front of me, or as close to the junction as they can sometimes. When the lights turn green again, I pass them out by the time they have two pushes of the pedals! I don't understand them!

I'd say this is completely different. I usually go past the white line especially if there are HGVs or buses at the junction - it's the only way to make sure that those type of vehicles can see you. You need to get out of their blind spots.

[Tigerbaby]

other cyclists jumping lights, cutting me up etc = Chill

RTL = stop ( except if going uphill into a force 10 gale on a wet night and no-one else around )

cars / lorries cutting me up etc etc = Chill.

Earphones/headphones = dont use em. your ears are your rear view mirror.

To maintain sanity and still enjoy the freedom of cycling it is imperative to have a chilled attitude. That means ignoring other cycists/drivers. Just keep yourself safe and smile. Yer getting fresh air and excercise .. how cool is that ?

Bin cycling 30 years in Dublin. Have seen it all. Relax is the best attitude.

Stay safe and careful in your cycling without become fearful and paranoid.

[n-dawg]

I treat red lights like a yield sign. I will slow down. Nothing coming I'll go, something there I'll go behind it or stop....

Don't really see the problem I don't think I'm even putting myself in danger.

[petethedrummer]

I used to be an obeyer, now I'm a jumper. Its pretty simple to get through a junction safely using your eyes and your common sense, regardless of the colour of the light.

[WicklowRacer]

Same. Always slow down to see whats happening... ped X and turn left, cruise on by if nothings coming. Turn right and straight I usually stop.

[ednwireland]

Originally Posted by petethedrummer

I used to be an obeyer, now I'm a jumper. Its pretty simple to get through a junction safely using your eyes and your common sense, regardless of the colour of the light.

still illegal

[rottenhat]

Originally Posted by petethedrummer

I used to be an obeyer, now I'm a jumper. Its pretty simple to get through a junction safely using your eyes and your common sense, regardless of the colour of the light.

For god's sake Pete, think of the children.