What are Traffic Lights there for???

petermijackson · 18-08-2009 09:07AM #1

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 · 18-08-2009 09:17AM

petermijackson wrote: »

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 · 18-08-2009 09:20AM

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 · 18-08-2009 09:27AM

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 · 18-08-2009 09:29AM

Traffic lights are there to regulate your cycling:-

Red = stop

Green = go / keep going / spinning / cruising

Amber = sprint for all your worth!!

tunney · 18-08-2009 09:40AM

petermijackson wrote: »

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 · 18-08-2009 09:46AM

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 · 18-08-2009 09:49AM

tunney wrote: »

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 · 18-08-2009 09:50AM

Micilin Muc wrote: »

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 · 18-08-2009 09:56AM

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 · 18-08-2009 10:11AM

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 · 18-08-2009 10:25AM

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 · 18-08-2009 10:28AM

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 · 18-08-2009 10:29AM

petethedrummer wrote: »

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 · 18-08-2009 10:44AM

petethedrummer wrote: »

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.

Lumen · 18-08-2009 10:45AM

rottenhat wrote: »

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

Easy RH, blasphemy is also illegal, or will be shortly.

Chips Lovell · 18-08-2009 10:45AM

tunney wrote: »

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

I seriously doubt it.

tunney · 18-08-2009 10:59AM

el tonto wrote: »

I seriously doubt it.

depends on the light and the situation but yes it is often safer to break the light.

blorg · 18-08-2009 11:06AM

Micilin Muc wrote: »

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!

Drives me mad too. U-Lock in the face is the only solution.

petermijackson · 18-08-2009 11:09AM

tunney wrote: »

depends on the light and the situation but yes it is often safer to break the light.

Some good feedback from all sides.....just wondering how it is sometimes safer to jump a redlight???

Lumen · 18-08-2009 11:13AM

blorg wrote: »

Drives me mad too. U-Lock in the face is the only solution.

You could to be a bit more measured with your aggression. I'd favour sitting on their wheel taunting them about how slow they are.

"Come on, come on, my granny can pedal faster than this and she died in 1996".

Jawgap · 18-08-2009 11:15AM

blorg wrote: »

Drives me mad too. U-Lock in the face is the only solution.

Hmmm, not sure about that - wouldn't you just end up with blood and snot all over your lock?

I'd prefer if there was some extendable device available that you deploy and just jam in their wheels:) (JOKING!!!!)

It's annoying, but probably something that individuals will make their mind up. Personally, I don't think it's the cleverest thing to do on a bike and I'd question how much time you actually save by doing it.

Idleater · 18-08-2009 11:16AM

cyclists need to start doing the bike hierarchy like motorcyclists where smaller bikes must wait behind or allow a bigger/noisier bike through to the top of the queue at lights.
This hierarchy displays to cars that a group of motorists can organise themselves and not delay anyone when the lights change.
Cyclists not obeying the hierarchy should count as double points in "the race".

Jawgap · 18-08-2009 11:18AM

Lumen wrote: »

You could to be a bit more measured with your aggression. I'd favour sitting on their wheel taunting them about how slow they are.

"Come on, come on, my granny can pedal faster than this and she died in 1996".

I wouldn't be so blatant in my taunting - I'd sit there tutting and muttering "Jaysus!!" everytime they touched the brakes or changed gear - then freewheel by them when overtaking while either looking at my nails or at their bike and shaking my head!

rottenhat · 18-08-2009 11:23AM

Jawgap wrote: »

I'd prefer if there was some extendable device available that you deploy and just jam in their wheels:) (JOKING!!!!)

You don't think I lug that thing around just in case I get a flat, do you?

kmick · 18-08-2009 11:24AM

I dont care about red light jumping mainly but when people jump a red and there is pedestrians crossing that makes me mad. Especially when it is older people or kids who have no sense of what you need to do to cross the road i.e. even though the pedestrian light is green you still better keep a watch out for lunatics on bikes and in cars/trucks. Since I believe in Karma I accept the fact that one of these days they are getting whats coming to them.

petethedrummer · 18-08-2009 11:25AM

ednwireland wrote: »

still illegal

And? So is jaywalking, but I think thats perfectly acceptable as long as you do it safely.

I think traffic lights should be fought at every turn. I prefer the shared use approach. Less lines, lights and rules and more cop on.

Here's a video. I can't believe I'm in agreement with some London cabbies.

Chips Lovell · 18-08-2009 11:26AM

I don´t think I´ve ever been in a situtation where I´ve found it safer to break a red.

is_that_so · 18-08-2009 11:28AM

Still remember that trip to the traffic school with the big friendly Garda and us pedalling around and stopping at red lights. While I can see why some claim it's safe, it's illegal, encourages all sorts of other bad behaviour and is definitely not an example to give a child. It's also not very different to the aforementioned car driver who decides at 50m that it just would not be safe to brake at an amber light. Both are road users and subject to the same rules.

Making up new rules because you think it's safe is a recipe for disaster. Then again there are some cyclists whose road behaviour and ability to maintain control of their "vehicle" is worse even than that scourge of all road users, the pedestrian.

Also seeing as you're running on 1 HP it's also a good chance to get a bit of a breather for some of the less fit "horses".

Tawfee · 18-08-2009 12:24PM

petethedrummer wrote: »

I prefer the shared use approach.

here's a nice (unedited) excerpt from that article:

"Asshorn says that since this part was finished, she's had drivers actually stop, smile at her and signal for her to cross the street".

i know, i know, i should grow up, but that brightened up my day...:)

Jumpy · 18-08-2009 12:49PM

el tonto wrote: »

I don´t think I´ve ever been in a situtation where I´ve found it safer to break a red.

You havent seen me trying to clip back in.

What are Traffic Lights there for???

Comments