Oct 25, 2007
Red Lights Optional?
Should cyclist stop at all stop signs and red lights? The Wall Street Journal asks and cyclist and other folks respond. My take is that it is a case-by-case basis. Some lights especially in busy intersections should be obeyed. The faster the traffic the more you should obey. On smaller streets with slower traffic then it is optional. European roads have been slowly removing traffic lights and stop signs in favor of the roundabout which Phil and Paul love to call traffic furniture.
The roundabouts are not the “traffic furniture” but rather the divider signs/ markers. They are also becoming more common in the US especially in high growth, high traffic areas. They are fairly common in parts of Florida. I have ridden my bike through some and as long as the diameter is small the speed is slow for cars so it is easy for a bike to go as fast as car. A far a obeying red lights, I feel that we should if we want the respect of being treated as traffic. This is especially true on club rides if wearing the club jersey.
hey, another new york cycling blog. i think i like yours, feel free to check mine out sometime. its not as neat as yours anyway… exchange of information is always good.
btw, i agree on using judgement to jump red lights, i have wondered why roundabouts are such a rare thing where i live ,i n buffalo… perhaps they have some co-relation with tighter roads and more cars? i’d like to see a cost-benefit analysis of roundabouts vs simple intersections. anyway keep writing!
I’m in the “always stop” camp, but I’ll go through if the light won’t get triggered and the way is clear. I also don’t get too uptight about other cyclists who decide to just blow through the lights. I’m not responsible for their actions, after all.
You should always stop, but then I think it is OK to proceed given a clear view and no oncoming traffic. There are many intersections where the light won’t change unless the sensor is tripped and it is pretty much impossible for a bike to trip the sensor. In those cases, I think it is OK to proceed. If, however, you are in line with cars, etc. then I think you need to wait for the light to change.
Should always stop unless the road is absolutely and completely clear. Cycling fatalities in cities are incredibly high.
Me, I do my best to ride routes with few/no cars