Cyclist Jumps Red Light

[daniel]

Since the other thread died down, I've seen another six cyclists jump red lights. I narrowly missed one (I could not get enough speed up to hit him - damb). Today Tory leader Cameron has had to apologise for jumping a red on his bike.

So I guess we have to accept it's ok for bikes to jump reds if they are cool with us texting as we drive.

[Rhoda]

Yer whilst my friend drove me home yesterday we narrowly missed one.

He apologised and thanked the Mirror for keeping him on his toes!!

Maybe we should text more whilst driving!!

[Brian]

If it's OK for David Cameron to jump red lights then it's OK for all cyclists to do it then.
(I just hope they have their life insurance up to date and there's no clauses about jumping red lights?)
I'd hate the though of running over cyclists and their families not being provided for, after all it's not their fault is it?

[Rhoda]

No Brian it's not all their fault. There should be cycle lanes. Where I lived before there were cycle lanes on the road and even along the flood relief half the path was padestrian and the other cycle. If ther were cycle lanes then things would maybe improve? Maybe cyclists should be made aware that they are not allowed to go through red lights?

[Brian]

I think they all know very well that there're not supposed to jump red lights, but they risk it and sometimes get caught out.

We've debated cycle lanes before and we've tried to think of ways to make cyclists use them. Some do, but they still have to cross roads at junctions and roundabouts and they do take chances that only the predictive skills of the motorists help prevent nasty accidents.

It's not so bad in Basingstoke because there aren't many cyclists, but some areas have massive troubles with suicidal cyclists. You can see the mangles remains of their bicycles at the side of the road.

I'm all for cycling and motorbiking but they need to obey the rules like the rest of us. No one is immortal!

[Rhoda]

Totally agree with you. Since I've moved ehre I've hardly seen anyone walk or cycle!

To be honest if they can't obey the rules then they should get a fine like drivers do!!

[keepontriking]

daniel Wrote:Since the other thread died down, I've seen another six cyclists jump red lights.

Don't throw stones. Whilst there are idiot cyclists who RLJ, the same can be said for motorists and the consequences can be far more catastrophic.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3005364.stm
Every day I see motorists going through on red.

daniel Wrote:I narrowly missed one (I could not get enough speed up to hit him - damb).

Yes, your attitude towards road safety and your scant regard for other road users is well known

daniel Wrote:Today Tory leader Cameron has had to apologise for jumping a red on his bike.

He should be fined at least.

daniel Wrote:So I guess we have to accept it's ok for bikes to jump reds if they are cool with us texting as we drive.

Tosh.

[keepontriking]

Brian Wrote:We've debated cycle lanes before and we've tried to think of ways to make cyclists use them. Some do, but they still have to cross roads at junctions and roundabouts and they do take chances that only the predictive skills of the motorists help prevent nasty accidents.

Many cycle farcilities simply add in more dangers and place the cyclist into much more riskier situations than is necessary. Narrow strips up the inside of vehicles, or lanes around the outside of roundabouts are amongst the worst. All too often they are introduced to tick the boxes and to earn councillors some (unjustified) green credentials for the next election.
Even if sensibly designed (a rarity) they are then rarely maintained or they peter out when needed most.
Cyclists should be no more forced to use them than motorists should be forced to use motorways. The best advice is for cyclists to follow the HC and in particular 61/63 and to assess the usefulness of any cycle lane as regards safety.
For some interesting examples of cycle planning see those shown here under 'Facility of the Month':
http://www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/

Brian Wrote:I'm all for cycling and motorbiking but they need to obey the rules like the rest of us.

What's this "like the rest of us".
You mean all motorists obey the laws too?
ALL road users need to respect each other and keep to the[/b] rules.

[Brian]

Quote:What's this "like the rest of us".
You mean all motorists obey the laws too?
ALL road users need to respect each other and keep to the[/b] rules.

Yes keepontriking, I believe the majority of motorists obey the rules because they know they can get punished if they don't. They also realise they can do serious damage to pedestrians/cyclists and motorcyclists, and no one in their right mind would want to harm another human being.
I don't think there's a majority of cyclists that obey the rules and even Tory Ministers seem to break the rules too easily.

You have to allow a little joke now and again keepontriking, as we try to make even the most serious subject slightly humorous sometimes.

Whatever we do or say in here probably won't reach the ears and eyes of any relevant officials who could make a difference to our decisions, but at least we all know a lot more than those who don't visit the forums of Basingstoke.

[bea stoker]

Brian Wrote:I believe the majority of motorists obey the rules

I'd say the majority of motorists don't obey the rules, I reckon the majority break speed limits.