Red lights - to jump or not to jump

The social network for cyclists

Red lights - to jump or not to jump

Posted by Ben Ayers on 26 October 2007 at 8:13pm in The law of the land

Interesting one this and the subject of many a vexed conversation among Londoners. I used to do it but gave up about three years ago after nearly mowing someone down. I am a much more relaxed cyclist these days and the stop start does't bother me so much. Maybe I've mellowed with age. I just see it as such a source of angst among pedestrians that I can't help feeling the habit of red light jumping is turning into a bit of a PR disaster. The issue seems to be giving those who want bikes registered all the ammo they need. Isn't it about time that cyclists realised that the bike is still the quickest way to get from A to B even if you do have to stop at the odd light?

Tags: bike, jumping, light, red, registration

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Permalink Reply by Mike Grenville on 8 February 2008 at 10:55pm: there is more than one type of red light jumping.

Firstly there is the not stopping for anything cyclist that just carries on whatever the lights are.
Then there is the gets fed up with waiting for multiple pedestrian light sequences - perhaps with no one there.
And then there is the starting off when the lights have gone red to the cross traffic but not yet gone green for you.

They all have dfifferent reasons behind them for cyclists crossing them. For myself when I do cross a red light I am mostly in the last category, wanting to make a start before the angry cars behnind run me over.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by DawnSev on 11 February 2008 at 8:04am: Hey Ben: The guy who writes The Independent's cycling blog had an interesting take on this, and he blamed behaviour on the "red fog" that cyclists tend to get into when they hit a groove and are having a great riding day. I know I've been guilty of it - but I also live in a city (and come from another city) where running reds is endemic to the point of being normal, so knowing I could get knocked down by a Pepe and Paco gunning his SEAT Ibiza reduces the incentive.

Here's a Q for you: How do police on traffic duty handle the issue? Here in Madrid, if you're waiting at a red, the traffic cops sometimes (but not always) wave you along just before the light turns green if they know it'll make it safer for you to get where you're going. It's not common, but it's been known to happen....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by RIchard on 15 April 2008 at 2:22pm: I have to throw my weight (and it's considerable - I just started cycling again to try and lose some) in with the law observers. There may be times when jumping is safe - and perhaps, in a few rare cases, even safer than stopping, but I think if one is thinking of the common good of cyclists then the PR dimension has to be considered. It annoys me, and most people I think, when individuals or groups decide that a certain law doesn't apply to them and I don't think we can make an exception for cyclists. I think the campaigns for better cycle facilities in traffic systems are gathering strength and the voice of the cycling lobby is more likely to be listened to by the rest of society if cyclists as a group are seen as responsible and law abiding.

Having said all that, small junctions where there is no chance of being observed (or photographed) are fair game and I would jump those lights on a bike if it was obviously safe to do so.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ben Ayers on 15 April 2008 at 2:44pm: @Dawn Firstly, I am a bit envious that you are in Madrid! And secondly, I quite like the sound of the police attitude there. Here it sometimes does feel pointless sitting on a red light activated by a pedestrian who has long since crossed the road...or where there is no obvious reason not to pedal on and get ahead of the traffic. I've never seen police near a junction so not sure what they would do here but am fairly certain that they wouldn't wave us on!!! In fact, I am sure of it :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by emma on 15 April 2008 at 5:31pm: yeah, you want to be careful near the barbican. those policemen on the bicycles (giving cyclists a bad name - their poor bicycles must be so embarrassed!) are often there to catch and fine the RLJs.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gentleman James on 17 April 2008 at 4:07am: i'm always amused when i see people standing at the corner or bikers waiting at the curb for the light to turn when there isn't a vehicle in sight for blocks. used to live in philadelphia, and there even the cars won't sit at a light if there's nothing around (caveat - you have to lay on the horn for a second before you do, just to make sure it's all clear), so the incentive to sit waiting my turn has never been a very strong one. admittedly, it's not a very 'big picture' position to take (although i'm not convinced there isn't a good argument at that level for running lights), but at the end of the day, it just does not strike me as a good use of my time to sit next to an idling vehicle huffing its fumes when i could be half a block further along.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Zoot Katz on 17 April 2008 at 6:17am: Most of the complaints against cyclists jumping lights or filtering ahead in a lane of stopped cars seem to be based on optics. Face it, cyclists have been scorned by other road users ever since van Drais.
I care spit what the caged killer monkeys think. I've seen enough cars run red lights to not trust any traffic controls.

The thing I won't do is take someone else's right-of-way. Nor will I become judgmental over the way others choose to ride as long as it doesn't directly endanger me.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ham on 23 April 2008 at 6:14pm: Interesting how at least this Social Networking group appear predominately broadly anti RLJ. Does that make or suggest that the average RLJ'er is a sociopath? Is that possibly a defining characteristic of an RLJ - someone who likes to think of themselves as a free spirit but who in truth is acting in their own self interest and against the wider interest of society?

And me? I'm in the occasional "polite RLJ-er". I always give way to pedestrians, I always stop in town, I mostly stop out of town, too. But where I know the area and getting ahead is safer I do occasionally RLJ, but I always slow and look around very obviously.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SilentOtto on 24 April 2008 at 11:09pm: Why bicyclists hate stop signs.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dj Mullan on 29 April 2008 at 9:47pm: I have to say that these days it is very rare that I jump a red light of any description. My main reason is I think it gives cyclists as a whole a bad name. I think we have to look at our own behaviours on the road before we can realistically expect other road users to change their behaviour and have more respect for cyclists.

That said, the last time I did jump a red light - no traffic, no pedestrians and no risk...and guess what...two motocycle cops following me a pulled me over...typical!!! Mind you they didnt fine me...phew!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ben Ayers on 14 May 2008 at 1:07pm: The New London Mayor obviously isn't too fussed about reds...or pedestrians!

http://tinyurl.com/3wphrx; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike Grenville on 14 May 2008 at 1:52pm: I don't think the pedestrian was in any danger on the crossing here:
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/2008/05/11/video-exclusiv...
see picture 8
Now which cyclist would really stop for this pedestrian?

Mike; ▶ Reply to This