Comments on: Don’t be a D***k – Stop at Red

By: Z

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 10:50:31 +0000

In reply to t. I’ve nearly hit a cyclist that run a red cycle light in the cbd. I had a free left turn and they were in my blind spot. I had right of way and to this day I’m still not sure how I did not hit them. I’ve also seen cyclists nearly plow through pedestrians at signalised pedestrian crossings because they don’t even slow down to give way when they should stop.

By: Criggie

Criggie — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 00:37:53 +0000

You don’t need a driver’s licence to ride a bike. But I don’t want to lose mine or earn demerit points for doing it wrong.

By: Peter A

Peter A — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:33:48 +0000

Become a pedestrian and join in the Barnes Dance. As a cyclist, simply dismount, wheel your bike across the intersection with the other pedestrians, re-mount and away you go. No laws broken there. Roadies might not like that idea as its not so easy to walk with road cleats.

Having said that, how easy would it be to add a green bike sign next to the green walking man, to show that bikes can also proceed before the motorised traffic. There are so many places where pedestrians get a couple of seconds head start over the traffic to make them noticed.

I travel passed University every day and the following intersections all have pedestrians crossing in advance of traffic: Straven/Kahu, Kotare/Clyde, Creyke/Ilam.

By: ****ing Andrew

****ing Andrew — Sat, 11 May 2013 07:43:27 +0000

D***k – , 4%er whatever I’m not going to modify my behavior in the interests of petty jealousy.
It’s motorists who seem to think bikes are illegitimate vehicles,a nuisance not worthy of their patience who need educating.
I encounter such motorists about once every 3.5 hours of commuting, yet in 40 years of driving I can only recall seeing one cyclist (a helmetless skinhead riding like he’d stolen it in town) so dangerously flouting the rules.
If they hit you they can just claim cycle blindness and the muppets cry HI-Viz.

By: Lennyboy

Lennyboy — Sat, 11 May 2013 01:42:13 +0000

In reply to Simon.

Interestingly the Auckland study referred to suggests that allowing cyclists to go on a pedestrian advance green-man or Barnes dance (subject to due care of course) might be a way to go.

We have a cycle safety issue with trucks here too, but I’d say that ignoring at red is hardly the solution (or the real problem). It’s the material for another blog post one day, but the general gist with trucks should be either (a) position yourself quite clearly in front of them beforehand or (b) wait behind them until they move off. Not sneaking up the lefthand side, esp. if they’re moving (or likely to) would be my take-away message.

P.S: not trying to start a campaign on stop at red; just another useful thing for people cycling to think about (and discuss!) – got plenty more where that came from!

By: Simon

Simon — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:29:45 +0000

In the UK it’s much safer to go across on red. I’m incredibly considerate to pedestrians, and it’s making me a lot safer, so I’m going to keep on doing it. The number of people we have killed by lorries here would definitely reduce if people didn’t wait around at the lights and get squished as the lorry turns.

I realise what you’re trying to do, but there are a lot better things to start a campaign about.

By: t

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:04:23 +0000

also like to point out in the 25 years of cycling around christchurch i would just point out that my anecdotal evidence is that from the 7 or so times i’ve been hit by cars- 2 times were by a car rear ended me while i waited at intersections. Also i’ve had many many close calls and near death experiences (such as a red light car runner) when crossing intersections with the lights (green) often by cars right turning through traffic and jumping behind other cars – then i have ever had going through redlights (never ever had a close call) . So while the law might say its wrong my life is more important. Its a dangerous place at intersections for cyclists – when they can cross safely then they should cross.

By: t

Wed, 08 May 2013 05:31:06 +0000

why should any motorist care if cyclists stop or not – if cyclists get out of the way they can do what they like at red lights it doesnt affect any motorists at all. As far as i’m concerned motorists can pull thier little concerned head in and sit and watch cyclists go through red lights – more power to them – if a motorists wants to they can get a bike and do it themselves. Cyclists aren’t dicks for running red lights they are doing what comes naturally when riding a bike. give this campaign away it makes you look like a dick

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:20:03 +0000

Good point about Paris. As in Germany, know one has any problem with a red being used as give way. It is New Zealand drivers, not other factors.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:07:09 +0000

In the interest of forging good motorist/cyclist relations I stop at all red lights , unless there is no vehicle in sight and the wait is getting ridiculous . Have been known to use the pedestrian walk option , but somehow feel a bit nervous . Would love to see more green hook turn boxes to use in conjunction with a pedestrian crossing and can think of a couple of places that where they would be very helpful .