Green travel, red lights
I'm not defending it, but as a part-time bike commuter I can entirely understand why some cyclists jump red lights.
The truth is that cycling through the city centre during rush hour can be a dangerous and scary experience.
If you start off from a set of lights at the same time as a column of traffic, within a few seconds you're going to be passed by dozens of tonnes of metal and plastic going up to twice as fast as you are.
And I can see how it's tempting, when you're at a junction with no pedestrians crossing and no cars turning into the road, to get a head start by moving off before the lights change.
Today's news from the boys in blue though, shows that you now run the risk of being fined if you're caught doing this.
So let's look for a solution to this issue.
It's twofold.
Firstly, cyclists must realise that, if they want to be accepted on the road, they must obey the traffic laws like everyone else.
Drivers aren't going to be patient with cyclists, if cyclists don't have the patience to sit at a red light for a few seconds.
Once moving, of course, the best method of self-preservation is to ride at your own speed in the middle of the lane, making motorists to sit behind you.
Confident ownership of your position on the road is legal and safe - no matter how frustrated a car driver gets, he's never going to simply mow you down from behind.
But secondly, motorists need to appreciate that all cyclists - the bad apples and the law-abiders - are in a very vulnerable position on the road.
Rush hour traffic doesn't travel much faster than cycling speed anyway and there's no point in putting someone's life in danger for the sake of getting to the next set of traffic lights a few seconds faster.
So if motorists give cyclists respect and space, while cyclists stick to the rules applicable to all road users, there shouldn't be a problem.
6 Comments
by Howard, Somerset
Friday, December 12 2008, 8:47PM
“You're all absolutely right about road positioning. It is advocated in the book "Cyclecraft" by John Franklin published by the Stationery Office. It's known as the "primary" cycling position and positions the bike in the traffic stream as the vehicle that it is. The "secondary" cycling position is further to the left but still in the traffic lane and within the following driver's line of sight, not in the gutter, to allow faster traffic to pass.
I would encourage anyone who cycles, or wishes to cycle, safely, confidently and competently to get themselves a copy of Cyclecraft. If you want some training, also to get your confidence and skills up together, I'd recommend approaching LifeCycle, a cycle training and advocacy charity in Bristol. Google for LifeCycle Bristol to find their web site.”
by John, Bristol
Friday, December 12 2008, 3:35PM
“The most sensible comment ever to emanate from the BEP on cycling. If drivers want cyclists (and I am both) to obey the traffic laws, then it's only fair that they treat cyclists as part of that traffic, rather than as an obstacle. The average rush hour speed in Bristol is about 11mph. My average cycling speed is 5mph faster than this, so I'm hardly getting in the way!
One change to the law that I think would help, is to allow cyclists to treat red lights on a left-turn as a give way, rather than a command to stop. Maybe this could be trialed out in our very own cycling city!”
by David, Bristol
Thursday, December 11 2008, 6:19PM
“There is a simple change that the Council can make so that cyclists should always have a head start... Advanced Stop Lines, along with a well maintained GREEN surface treatment. Every set of traffic lights in Bristol should be given these as part of the Cycling City funding.
We should also switch from red surface treatment to for cycle facilities, leaving red for bus lanes and hazard markings.”
by knowlsey, bristol
Thursday, December 11 2008, 11:12AM
“Totally agree that the safest option for cyclists is to stay well out in the middle of the lane. This is unfortunate - I would like to cycle closer to the left and allow cars to pass, but there are just so many drivers who try to overtake when there is not enough space and it is not safe to do so - I've been literally run off the road so many times like this.”
by Jackie, Brislington
Thursday, December 11 2008, 11:05AM
“I'm a 50 year old female cyclist. This is a tricky subject really. Yes, cyclists are vulnerable if car drivers get agitated by us delaying them a few seconds, but in general I obey all road traffic laws. Having said that I do ride on the pavements, but never in areas that are densely populated with pedestrians. I have been know to go through red lights but only if it's in a quiet area and I feel unsafe, or threatened by passing pedestrians, who may be drunk. On the other hand I have seen cyclists taking ridiculous risks at major traffic light junctions, for example at Arnos Court. They deserve to be prosecuted.”
by Gavin, BRISTOL
Thursday, December 11 2008, 9:41AM
“Well put!
It's often better for the motorists (as well as safer for the cyclist) if the cyclist gets a head start at the lights, but it makes the drivers angry because they have to wait for green and in the end that's bed for cyclists in general.”