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The Love Bug

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London cyclists... [Mar. 22nd, 2006|10:51 am]
The Love Bug
[Current Mood |confusedgobsmacked]

I'm amazed that certain London cyclists believe that the Highway Code doesn't apply to them. Specifically the bit about stopping at red lights.

On my walk this morning between Euston Square tube and Euston mainline, I witnessed no less than 3 cyclists who slowed down to a red light, passed the red light, checked to see if they were about to be flattened by a double-decker bus, crossed the traffic Frogger-style, and then emerge at the other side of the junction at the same time as the car that was at the front of the queue at the red light that they just jumped!

I mean, is it really worth the gamble... particularly in London?!?

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[User Picture]From: thelovebug
2006-03-22 12:01 pm (UTC)
Absolutely, That's why I didn't say 'all' :o)
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[User Picture]From: stainsteelrat
2006-03-22 11:31 am (UTC)
There seems to be this increasing thing of some cyclists feeling they're a blend of pedestrian and car. So they can do things pedestrians do e.g. cross red lights. I can understand it, as cycling is a very different thing from driving. Spend a few minutes cycling per day and you'll feel it! :-)
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[User Picture]From: thelovebug
2006-03-22 12:04 pm (UTC)
Trust me, I know. I used to cycle into college most days, and work everyday when I worked in Guildford.

Interesting, your point about pedestrians... I don't know of many pedestrians who jump red lights! ;o)
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[User Picture]From: stainsteelrat
2006-03-22 12:15 pm (UTC)
The point was that pedestrians will cross the road if they can, which cyclists also do. A car won't though of course, at least it's extremely rare in the UK.

In Brazil it's common to see a cyclist coming the opposite way down a 3 or 4 lane avenue. People just drive around them, although there's usually space.

I'm surprised you don't have a little more sympathy for the cyclist, although perhaps it's easy to forget what it was like. I agree that out and out stupidity is ultimately going to get a cyclist killed, and no-one wants that I would hope.
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[User Picture]From: thelovebug
2006-03-22 01:21 pm (UTC)
Where did you get the idea that I don't have sympathy for the cyclist?I have a lot of sympathy and understanding for cyclists... after all, they have us car drivers to contend with!! ;o) And, like I said, I was one... and in fact still am.

What I don't have sympathy/understanding for, is stupid risk-taking like running red lights in the middle of London in the rush-hour.
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[User Picture]From: stainsteelrat
2006-03-22 01:36 pm (UTC)
It comes down to whether they're really taking risks. As mentioned before they switch to pedestrian mode, take a quick look at whether cars are actually coming, then cross the road as a pedestrian would if no cars were coming. I don't know what the accident statistics for cyclists are in this situation, but as long as they are making good observation I don't see that they are taking a risk... just breaking the law presumably, unless they get off their bike etc. etc. ;-)
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[User Picture]From: broomster
2006-03-22 08:15 pm (UTC)

It's not just London that has this problem! Hull has a major problem with cyclists doing various silly things..

Jumping the lights - hopping from road to pavement to road again without warning - coming straight out of side streets without giving way.. creeping down the nearside of a queue of traffic (undertaking) - not having lights in the dark nights - going wrong way down one way streets (and around roundabouts) I could go on...

As many have said - it's not every cyclist - many are very resposible and careful - but there are many who seem to want to commit suicide!
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[User Picture]From: emsee
2006-03-22 08:29 pm (UTC)
Yea, I know what you mean about cyclists jumping red lights.
I wonder sometimes how many cyclists have even read the highway code - maybe some genually think that lights don't apply to them.

Love the icon btw - 'The Birds' is one of my favourite animated shorts.
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