Monday, November 11, 2013

About cyclists "running red lights and stop signs"

In the bicycle world, there are a lot of different types of stopping at red lights and stop signs.

I make distinctions among:
  1. proceeding through a red light or stop sign without looking or changing speeds;
  2. proceeding through a red light or stop sign without changing speeds but ensuring that there is no traffic to interfere, in any direction;
  3. proceeding through a red light or stop sign after slowing down considerably, verifying that there is no traffic to interfere, in any direction;
  4. coming to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign, briefly enough not to put my foot down, making sure there is no traffic to interfere, in any direction, then proceeding through;
  5. coming to a complete stop at a red light, at least one foot planted on the ground for several seconds, then after verifying there is no traffic to interfere, in any direction, proceeding through.
  6. coming to a complete stop at a red light and waiting until the light turns green before proceeding.
The law does not allow for any of the first five. People who complain about cyclists “running red lights and stop signs” make no distinction, equating the first five, insisting upon the sixth.

I do not do #1. I do #2, #3, #4 and #5, depending on situation. I employ #6 anytime there is traffic to interfere.

I could go on for 2,000 words explaining the difference in each, their relative merits of safety, and justifying my actions thereon, but that is irrelevant. If you cannot understand the distinction thus far, there is no point in having a conversation.

3 comments:

  1. Can we please at least understand these differences?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Doing 1 through 5 may seem fine for you and since you are still writing they have not had a fatal flaw yet for you. But. for those without your good judgement it ups the risk factor. As a automobile driver who shares the road with cyclists it pains me to see the poor decisions I frequently see and if it does go wrong and I am involved in a 2 tons of steel vs one flesh and blood and 2 wheels interaction that I will have the pleasure of replaying over and over in my head I submit the discussion is very relevant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I see I need to downshift.

      There is a major distinction between #1 and the rest.
      #1 is stupidity; nobody should do that.
      #2 and #3 are the equivalent of a yield sign.
      #4 and #5 are the equivalent of a stop sign.

      To say that #2 through #5 should not be considered is tantamount to saying we should eliminate yield signs for cars, and replace every stop sign with a signal.

      Delete