4 ms·

Maybe I'm missing something but bikes passing at traffic lights, or just zipping in the intersections, is such a terrible, horrible idea. Being on a bike on a r

by prower 5y ago

Maybe I'm missing something but bikes passing at traffic lights, or just zipping in the intersections, is such a terrible, horrible idea. Being on a bike on a roundabout is terrifying already. I agree a bikes-only traffic would be more fluid (even if only for the sheer volume of bikes you can fit in a normal road) but if you have cars, bikes, motorbikes, public transport and ambulances all together in the same space, on a complex web of roads, following a common set of rules is kind of the absolutely minimum prerequisite of a somewhat civil society.

Ichthypresbyter 5y ago
The only situation where I think letting bikes go through red lights makes sense is allowing them to turn right (in countries which drive on the right).
- Thlom 5y ago
  When I commuted by bike there was one red light that was infuriating. It was a three way cross-section with a tram in the middle. I was going straight in a bike lane and there was no turns to the right. Yet I was stopped by the red light. I asked the local council why I had to stop on the red when there was NO obvious reason for it. The answer was that heavy vehicles like busses turning left onto this road lane couldn't clear the turn without using the bike lane. So instead of expanding the road a meter, they had me stop on a red light, which in 97% of cases was not necessary at all. (I cycled on red most days)
  - prower 5y ago
    Do you also cross with a red light on a car, when there's no one around anyway? Also, in most cases expanding the road is far from easy or feasible at all.
    - iso1631 5y ago
      Expanding the usability of the road is very feasible, simply ban vehicles that are larger than say 2 square metres per user from using the road. Suddenly there's more space on the road for more people.
      - prower 5y ago
        So in the case of the parent's comment, your solution is to ban buses? What about, instead, respecting road rules when you use a bike?
11235813213455 5y ago
I can be loaded with 20kg of fruits (a crate or 2 on the handlebar and in bags), I will go slowly of course, but I don't really want to stop at a red light if the road is empty as it's already difficult enough (other drivers usually understand it and don't get mad at it), I'll also sometimes need to ride at the middle of the road, to avoid some holes on the side. Some drivers don't understand this and get crazy, most also don't anticipate things at all, they'll dangerously pass you just to stop 50m further.. I've been also close to be hit by behind 5 times, where the driver noticed me at the very last moment, and once hit on the side (left handlebar and shoulder broken) Bikes need a status in-between pedestrian and cars, for many reasons, not just mine, environment, security.
- prower 5y ago
  I'd probably get pretty mad at you for crossing at a red light on a bike. I'm sorry for your incident, but to give a perspective on "the other side": if there is a bike lane, I would fully expect you to stay that lane and not cross in the road. And if you do, do it only after you did take a look behind you if someone is coming (and if that's difficult, because it IS difficult, consider putting a mirror on your bike, as it can save your life). I'll always think having car-free cities will be the best, but having bikes and cars in the same roads is madness.

by prower 5y ago

Ichthypresbyter 5y ago

The only situation where I think letting bikes go through red lights makes sense is allowing them to turn right (in countries which drive on the right).

Thlom 5y ago
When I commuted by bike there was one red light that was infuriating. It was a three way cross-section with a tram in the middle. I was going straight in a bike lane and there was no turns to the right. Yet I was stopped by the red light. I asked the local council why I had to stop on the red when there was NO obvious reason for it. The answer was that heavy vehicles like busses turning left onto this road lane couldn't clear the turn without using the bike lane. So instead of expanding the road a meter, they had me stop on a red light, which in 97% of cases was not necessary at all. (I cycled on red most days)
- prower 5y ago
  Do you also cross with a red light on a car, when there's no one around anyway? Also, in most cases expanding the road is far from easy or feasible at all.
  - iso1631 5y ago
    Expanding the usability of the road is very feasible, simply ban vehicles that are larger than say 2 square metres per user from using the road. Suddenly there's more space on the road for more people.
    - prower 5y ago
      So in the case of the parent's comment, your solution is to ban buses? What about, instead, respecting road rules when you use a bike?

11235813213455 5y ago

I can be loaded with 20kg of fruits (a crate or 2 on the handlebar and in bags), I will go slowly of course, but I don't really want to stop at a red light if the road is empty as it's already difficult enough (other drivers usually understand it and don't get mad at it), I'll also sometimes need to ride at the middle of the road, to avoid some holes on the side. Some drivers don't understand this and get crazy, most also don't anticipate things at all, they'll dangerously pass you just to stop 50m further.. I've been also close to be hit by behind 5 times, where the driver noticed me at the very last moment, and once hit on the side (left handlebar and shoulder broken) Bikes need a status in-between pedestrian and cars, for many reasons, not just mine, environment, security.

prower 5y ago
I'd probably get pretty mad at you for crossing at a red light on a bike. I'm sorry for your incident, but to give a perspective on "the other side": if there is a bike lane, I would fully expect you to stay that lane and not cross in the road. And if you do, do it only after you did take a look behind you if someone is coming (and if that's difficult, because it IS difficult, consider putting a mirror on your bike, as it can save your life). I'll always think having car-free cities will be the best, but having bikes and cars in the same roads is madness.