Cyclist Ignore Red When Turning Left, Good Idea?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34655301
I know it's standard in the US (turning right of course) for all traffic. Cyclists are rarely on the road anyway and when they are they don't obey any of the road laws so I don't suppose it will make any difference but I applaud the idea.

[youngmafbog]

Depends why it on red. If its due to lack of a filter light then ok, but if traffic is still coming across it will end in an accident as some self righteous lycra clad cyclist hares round the corner into the middle of the road.

[TWR]

They do that already don't they? In my Eyes, the rule is stop & they should abide by it.

[naomi24]

No, not a good idea. Cyclists squeezing between the pavement and vehicles (especially lorries) waiting at red lights put their lives in peril.

[Ellipsis]

> Donnachadh McCarthy, from the campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists, says the move would save lives but Jeanette Wilson, President of the Association of Motor Offence Lawyers, says it is a dangerous suggestion.

How could it save lives?

[Davemano]

Being allowed to ignore the Road Traffic laws may seem OK until a cyclist gets killed or seriously injured

[naomi24]

I've seen it happen in London. Cyclist squeezes between pavement and lorry, lights change, lorry moves off - squish! A terrible idea!

[Baldric]

I suppose if they can't catch/stop them then it's easier to legalise it than to keep on trying to prevent it!

[jno]

I don't think it's standard in the US, only in some states.

[TWR]

I've nearly had a few in my HGV Days Naomi, they had the cheek to give me the fingers.

[naomi24]

TWR, I believe it! Cyclists scare the life out of me when I'm driving. Some of them take terrible risks.

[TWR]

Years gone by we did not have the "Step Mirror" That's the one you may have seen above the Passenger door on HGVs, some HGVs has a small window inserted just above the lower door Hinge to view these bikes but because of security they were removed.

[naomi24]

A friend of mine, in the Police, tells me that the majority of cyclists killed on the roads are not killed by being run over, but by being knocked off their bikes and smashing their heads on the ground.

[jim360]

Bad idea. Not necessarily because cyclists are the biggest danger on the road, but it only takes one paying no attention to cause a tragic accident.

Most recent near-miss I had was when I was trying to turn left, and a car opposite me on the other side of the junction wanted to turn right the same way. I had a head start but he decided it would be a great idea to accelerate and beat me to turning right. Selfish get -- but obviously in a battle of car v. bike I would lose, so I had to cede ground to his, frankly stupidly dangerous, manoeuvre.

[Old_Geezer]

Another bad idea from the cyclistophiles with power to pander for the cyclist, many of whom do not obey the basic rules anyway. If it were sauce for cyclists then it should be sauce for other road users too. It isn't, for good reason, it has to be less safe. Not that the cyclist will care: whether their poor judgement means they end up in intensive care or the morgue, it's the driver who will be blamed and asked to pay for any costs.

[TWR]

I have noticed of late that a lot now use the Helmet camera, If an accident occurs the card should be taken out, & if found by evidence with the information on the card the cyclist should be fined.

[joeluke]

Drivers go through red lights so why not cyclists? Also pedestrians often ignore their red light at crossings

When I cycle if I know the sequence of the lights and the road is clear I don't stop

Drivers get annoyed by it just for the sake of it, it's not inconveniencing their journey is it?

[TWR]

Joe, If I stuck my hand in a fire would you? Red is Red & Red mean's stop as you well know.

[Old_Geezer]

So Joe, you approve of motorised vehicles going through the red lights too ?

The lights aren't there for pedestrians unless it is an official pedestrian crossing. Pedestrians can cross at lights using the same rules as they do elsewhere.

[douglas9401]

Cyclists positioning themselves in a blind spot maybe don't actually deserve what they get but whatever it is is a self inflicted wound.

[DaisyNonna]

Cyclists here ride on the pavement anyway
Have been seen (occasionally ) riding on the wrong side of the road before against the traffic before again veering onto the pavement
Pedestrians do need to cross the road at traffic lights without fearing to be mowed down by cyclists without bells or lights ignoring red lights
Do those of us who walk have no rights regarding our safety?