Meanwhile on the Roads...

MOD VOICE: A reminder that false equivalence is frowned upon. Running red lights, regardless of vehicle, is illegal but that does not mean they are the same in consequence. Anyone found to be comparing a cyclist slowing to a crawl and performing an idaho/rolling stop to a motor vehicle speeding up to go through a light that is already red, unless that vehicle is an emergency vehicle doing so with due care and attention, will find themselves barred from the conversation.

Yes a cyclist running a red light is illegal, yes some cyclists run red lights, while most do so with due care and attention, it is still illegal but does not mean you can state one scumbag dangerously running a red is a representative of all cyclists, this breaches the forum charter against relentless negativity and is a bad faith engagement in the discussion.

For those who are new to the forum, when I use the MOD VOICE, this is as a moderator, when I don't, I am not posting as a moderator and am open to robust discussion within the rules and spirit of the forum. If any of this is unclear, please PM me, do not discuss this post in thread,

I don't think it is an inherent danger for that reason. Sadly I think it is a cultural reason it is more dangerous. Unfortunately the attitude of, just because it is legal, doesn't make it right/OK/safe is disappearing at a phenomenal rate. A lot of people in cars are quick to make blind statements like, I was under the speed limit as they are going to fast for the conditions. Unless it is done with a lot of clarity and media campaigns about the scenarios it is legal in, I'd have to say no, I would just hope that Gardai would take an approach of only fining or arresting those who do so dangerously.

As in yes, you can do it, but you must slow on approach, roll through the start of the junction, giving time to observe, and only then proceed fully when it is clear and there are no obvious signs you will inhibit or harm other traffic or pedestrians.

Without this, the riders who currently do run reds, may increase in regards in terms of those who do it recklessly because they feel "entitled".

No different than those who barrel through a green light without good observation because they feel they have the "Right of way".

TBF, you said when pedestrians are crossing.

I think this happens, sort of, at bike crossings on the canal. Cyclists and pedestrians do end up with overlap, I think cyclists can go when pedestrians get an orange but they get a red when the main traffic lane gets a green. It is quite simple but somehow causes massive brain farts among all users at times, but maybe it has improved after bedding in. The main issue though used to be the timings were skewed against pedestrians, who ended up creating a swarm at the corners, but this was along time ago now.

Again, not what I said. I made it very clear (well I thought I did) that a car speeding up through a red lights is not the equivalent to a cyclist slowing down to walking speed, checking is it clear/safe to go through and then proceeding.

They are both illegal, but they are not equal. I do not disagree with you about no one breaking a red light bar an emergency vehicle or a stalled light.

EDIT: I just read your post properly, I never said that anyone should push on through when there is crossing traffic. I think you misunderstood what I said. The false equivalence is as I described.