On 13 Aug 2015 at 1:42pm Town Flyer wrote:
Saw on the news last night that we in the UK are considering following France to allow cyclists to 'jump' red traffic lights?
It cannot be denied that some do this anyway, but surely this is not the way forward?
On 13 Aug 2015 at 2:04pm Slarty wrote:
It's not all red lights.
It will be left turn at cross roads and T junctions and straight over at T junctions if you are on the far side of the junction.
Cyclists will still have to treat the red light as a give way to traffic.
Tests show it does not increase accidents and actually reduces them slightly. It also helps with traffic flow and promotes cycling (a green form of transport).
If (and a big if) car drivers are accommodating then it should work.
So why is this not the way forward?
On 13 Aug 2015 at 2:08pm Slarty wrote:
Here is a link to a picture when French cyclists can jump red lights. Obviously in this country the pictures will have to be flipped (so rather then right turns it will be left turns), but it shows that the cyclist wont be affecting vehicles using the junctions.
Check it out here »
On 13 Aug 2015 at 2:11pm Slarty wrote:
Link does not work, seems to miss the end "graphic_3369406b.jpg" off. I've tried again, but if this one does not work add "graphic_3369406b.jpg" to the end of the link.
Check it out here »
On 13 Aug 2015 at 2:19pm ar10642 wrote:
Hmm. Not sure I like it. It will encourage cyclists down the left-hand side of lorries, which is where the big danger is.
On 13 Aug 2015 at 2:38pm Can't Ride A Bike wrote:
I hate bikes-what's wrong with feet-it's pedestrians who get hurt when they don't stop at lights, and it will give them a self centred sense of entitlement to ride like idiots (which they already do). If they don't like the road rules, they should use cycle paths.
On 13 Aug 2015 at 2:48pm Slarty wrote:
ar10642 - that's a little like saying because the speed limit on rural roads (say, the ones into Barcombe) is 60mph, cars will be encouraged to drive at 60mph. Cyclists are already allowed to filter up the inside to the red light anyway, with this rule they will get out of the lorry's way.
Can't Ride A Bike - The turn left on red will not give them right of way. Some cyclists (and drivers) will never be sensible and there is no accounting for that. If road rules had not and don't evolve, we would all be driving about at 14mph everywhere!
On 13 Aug 2015 at 7:03pm Wvm wrote:
Like the silly old fart in town today , no helmet , overtook me at shellys we were queuing ,Range Rover in front of me giving a good clear right turn indication for rotten row , old fart doesn't notice nearly falls off in to my path , then gets going again , guess what light has gone red so I stop he just goes on his way , he deserves all he's going to get ,
On 13 Aug 2015 at 7:05pm Bob wrote:
Through the town I'd be happy if I could go as fast as 14mph......
On 13 Aug 2015 at 8:31pm Fred wrote:
A truly stupid idea no matter what justification is given..
On 13 Aug 2015 at 9:27pm The Old Mayor wrote:
Well, let's get real, the Police want to actually do less and less, so there's not much chance of the cyclists getting caught. Traffic Wardens couldn't care less, just issue fines, not interested in traffic management. Cycling on the road really is quite dangerous and laying in a hospital bed saying 'it's not my fault, it was the car driver, really isn't an answer.
On 14 Aug 2015 at 8:53am The Yank wrote:
Some States in the USA have had a similar thing for ages but for all vehicles. Turn right on red and it saves pointless queueing. They should make this for all vehicles here too.
On 14 Aug 2015 at 10:05am driver wrote:
let them jump all the red lights they want. hopefully they wont see the danger coming from the right, may get them off the road for a while. and cut down on the traffic jams through rural villages. haven't come across one single bike rider yet that sticks to the highway code. even when there is a cycle lane provided they don't use it. the one running up from earwig corner is a prime example. wonder how much money was wasted there. they are a menace
On 14 Aug 2015 at 10:40am Wvm wrote:
Having driven in the states and seen this work , however most of theses junctions are 2 and 3 lane which helps allow all types of road user turn right , not sure it would work so well here
On 14 Aug 2015 at 11:02am ar10642 wrote:
Whilst you're allowed to filter on the left, it's not a great idea unless the road is really wide and you're sure people have seen you. I usually filter on the right.
If it works in France I guess it could work here. It won't go down well with car drivers though who already moan about everything.
On 19 Aug 2015 at 12:57pm Town Flyer wrote:
I'm worried from a pedestrians viewpoint, not as a 'moany' car driver. I cross on the green pedestrian light safe in the knowledge that it is my turn to cross, and that I won't be knocked over by a cyclist.
We'll see what happens I guess, but I foresee more injuries for pedestrians in the offing.
On 21 Aug 2015 at 10:48am Slarty wrote:
As I said, they will still be under a give way rule. I suggest the same cyclists that run red lights now will be the ones than will not comply with the give way rule. Most cyclists will stop at red lights and give way under new rules. You can't make rules for all idiots that use the roads and even if you could, some would still break them.
Check out the results from the Paris experiment, you may be surprised.