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Maybe it depends where you live (UK here). I see multiple cars jump multiple different red lights everyday, when the lights are very definitely red. Often the

by aaren 13y ago

Maybe it depends where you live (UK here). I see multiple cars jump multiple different red lights everyday, when the lights are very definitely red. Often the cars accelerate into the lights to get through. I also see bikes jump through lights, but I don't usually find them as objectionable as they are i) going much slower, ii) weigh about 10% of the car, iii) have a massive interest in navigating the junction safely because of the mortal risk to themselves. I get annoyed when I see either cars or bikes jumping lights that are for pedestrians.

mikeash 13y ago
When you're talking about accelerating to get through, I take it you're discussing running of red lights quickly after a yellow. While I certainly won't condone this, I also think it's a different class of problem from blatantly running a red light that has been red for a long time. Lights are timed to tolerate some abuse when it comes to trying to squeak through. What I see bicycles do on a regular basis (and what this one particular jerk did the other day that really stuck out at me) is proceed through red lights that have been red for a long time. On a good day, they do it after stopping and waiting for a while. On a decent day, they check for traffic and only run the light if there's a hole. On a bad day, they just blow through. I object for two reasons. First, even though they're likely to take the physical damage in a crash, they're still imposing potential emotional damage on others. Even if they're not at all at fault, a normal human will feel awful for hurting or killing a bicyclist while driving. Second, it gives all bicyclists a bad reputation, and that harms me when I'm on my bicycle.
- collyw 13y ago
  http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/may/21/women-cyclists-most-accidents http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/may/21/women-cyclists-mos... According to that article, there is a good chance that running red lights is doing the opposite. Maybe time you changed your assumptions and objections.
  - mikeash 13y ago
    That's quite an interesting link, but I'm not sure that conclusion can be applied outside of London as there seem to be a lot of confounding factors involved.

by aaren 13y ago

mikeash 13y ago

When you're talking about accelerating to get through, I take it you're discussing running of red lights quickly after a yellow. While I certainly won't condone this, I also think it's a different class of problem from blatantly running a red light that has been red for a long time. Lights are timed to tolerate some abuse when it comes to trying to squeak through. What I see bicycles do on a regular basis (and what this one particular jerk did the other day that really stuck out at me) is proceed through red lights that have been red for a long time. On a good day, they do it after stopping and waiting for a while. On a decent day, they check for traffic and only run the light if there's a hole. On a bad day, they just blow through. I object for two reasons. First, even though they're likely to take the physical damage in a crash, they're still imposing potential emotional damage on others. Even if they're not at all at fault, a normal human will feel awful for hurting or killing a bicyclist while driving. Second, it gives all bicyclists a bad reputation, and that harms me when I'm on my bicycle.

collyw 13y ago
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/may/21/women-cyclists-most-accidents http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/may/21/women-cyclists-mos... According to that article, there is a good chance that running red lights is doing the opposite. Maybe time you changed your assumptions and objections.
- mikeash 13y ago
  That's quite an interesting link, but I'm not sure that conclusion can be applied outside of London as there seem to be a lot of confounding factors involved.