Research on red light running by cyclists

[smithcorp]

Some very recent research on reasons given by cyclists as to why they run red lights. Interesting stuff - a mix of people saying they can't trigger the lights on a bike, to what sound like bullshit excuses. My take - cyclists do it because they think they can without consequences, for the same reasons pedestrians ignore traffic lights, cross 'illegally' etc. I think the summary misses another likely reason - reluctance to stop cycling/unclip, particularly uphill.

http://theconversation.com/seeing-red-w ... ghts-12916" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Link provides a summary, but also has links to the actual research paper.

smith

[richo]

As you said a lot of people believe that traffic lights only apply to cars .

[Brett_S]

I try not to do it - there's a few lights around my normal route that I will always get at least 1 red, one is next to a parking lot so if there aren't any cars going in or out of the parking lot I might decide to go through, the others are on intersections so I can't go through a red even if I wanted to

I don't get the excuse that the lights don't detect the bike, never worked for me so I figured only cars can activate the strips
I just ride over to the footpath and hit the crossing button if there are no cars to activate the light change

There are options to get around the unclipping on a hill problem - I just bought a set of Speedplay pedals for that reason. The SPD-SL's I have now are a bitch to get into on a hill

I agree, a lot of people do it cos they can - I've seen many people around my area who ride straight through the red without even slowing down

[smithcorp]

As you said a lot of people believe that traffic lights only apply to cars .

That's a better way of putting than I did.

[norbs]

Something something eBike. Something something 2 stroke bike something something.

[ysu]

Something something eBike. Something something 2 stroke bike something something.

that's quite wobbly-like

[richo]

Something something eBike. Something something 2 stroke bike something something.

We were having a nice conversation thank you Mr Webberhating2strokedisliker

[smithcorp]

Elitists...

[richo]

I think there should be a study commissioned about the link between cyclists and yachties...

[CLP]

Some very recent research on reasons given by cyclists as to why they run red lights.

Can't wait for volume 2 that researches the issue of why motorists run red lights

[Exar Kun]

Some very recent research on reasons given by cyclists as to why they run red lights.

Can't wait for volume 2 that researches the issue of why motorists run red lights

Slightly different though. Most motorists who run red lights are trying to beat the lights rather than just proceeding through an intersection that has long been red which is what I gather this survey was about.

[ysu]

I've only ever run redlights by accident! Or when I wanted to!

[Jamo]

I have complete contempt for the majority of laws and road laws are most defintely no exception.

[CLP]

Some very recent research on reasons given by cyclists as to why they run red lights.

Can't wait for volume 2 that researches the issue of why motorists run red lights

Slightly different though. Most motorists who run red lights are trying to beat the lights rather than just proceeding through an intersection that has long been red which is what I gather this survey was about.

It's no different at all. Running a red 1 second after it's changed is no better than 10 seconds. There's ample warning given in the the form of an amber light that the lights are changing.

all that said, i don't run reds on my bike.

[petey]

I have often run a red turn arrow just a few corners from my house, perfect vision and often no cars, stupid thing should just bloody go out.

That is to say, I wait and watch - if it's clear I will just drive through it anyway. Fairly sure the coppa's who drive to the station just back down the road do the same thing except u-turn it.



On topic - I commonly watch cyclists who will just slowly keep moving forward through the intersection so they don't have to stop and unclip presumably. The stupid thing with this is, by the time they are a metre or so in you may aswell just er - get on your bike - and go.