Better to say something? Or keep quiet?

[Drewdane]

@DismalScientist 71187 wrote:

The crosswalk signals at Oak, Quinn and Scott are specific to bicycles and are generally ignored. It’s hard to argue in this context that the “laws are written for cars.”

I would assume that folks that think that cyclists should not be bound by red light laws also think that mopeds should be allow similar dispensation.

I view the bike signals as nothing more than funny-shaped regular lights. Perhaps if they served some practical purpose other than a passive-aggressive attempt to get cyclists to act like cars…

When I say “drivers”, I pretty much mean anyone operating a vehicle powered primarily by a motor or engine with minimal energy provided as a result of physical exertion. Which includes mopeds, including the kind with pedals.

Electric-assist bicycles? Well, I’m just not sure what to think about those anyway…

[mstone]

@DismalScientist 71187 wrote:

I would assume that folks that think that cyclists should not be bound by red light laws also think that mopeds should be allow similar dispensation.

I’ll address that issue when mopeds realistically affect risk levels on the road. Until then, I’ll continue to worry about the number of angels that fit on my pins, instead.

[PeteD]

@mikoglaces 71109 wrote:

I have to admit that I don’t always stop at a light. But I usually do. Not only is it the law, and not only is it safe, but it’s more relaxing. I have peace of mind.

I also think of it in a training mode: Every time you slow and stop, it’s a chance for interval training.

–Pete

[ronwalf]

@PeteD 71198 wrote:

I also think of it in a training mode: Every time you slow and stop, it’s a chance for interval training.

Stop signs are my track-stand practice. Sadly, after several hundred hours of riding, I can only stand for 2-3 seconds 50% of the time*. If I end up commuting through DC next year, I’ll probably get better quickly.

* I assume this would work better without a freewheel.

[americancyclo]

@dasgeh 71160 wrote:

If you had waited at Scott for 20 seconds, you would have been around my time, which gets you to Fort Myer 2-3 seconds before the light changes. So it would have cost you 30 seconds out of your life.

I checked our two most recent times down this strava segment

http://www.strava.com/segments/1275516

and the difference was between 0 and 40 seconds. so really not much of a difference at all. except for the whole two hours later thing

[dasgeh]

@americancyclo 71238 wrote:

and the difference was between 0 and 40 seconds. so really not much of a difference at all. except for the whole two hours later thing

*Busted*

My take from this is that thoughtful cyclists will run reds when:

(1) it is safer for them to do so (and doesn’t endanger anyone else); or
(2) they are in the position of a pedestrian and at a place where pedestrians typically jaywalk and the coast is clear.

I don’t really agree with #2, but I think it’s a reasonable position. I don’t think drivers see the distinction when they see the behavior, but it helps in explaining.

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@DismalScientist 71187 wrote:

The crosswalk signals at Oak, Quinn and Scott are specific to bicycles and are generally ignored. It’s hard to argue in this context that the “laws are written for cars.”

I would assume that folks that think that cyclists should not be bound by red light laws also think that mopeds should be allow similar dispensation.

BTW Between Scott and Quinn is where I took my recent spill!

[Dirt]

@dasgeh 71056 wrote:

I stop. Every time. And I wait through the light. Every time.
… Or better yet, stop and say hi

I stop every single time. Most people look at me like I’m from outer space. I’m used to it.

How can I expect cars to pay attention to any traffic laws if I’m not willing to obey one of the simplest ones?

Hi Dasgeh.

[dasgeh]

@Dirt 71247 wrote:

I stop every single time. Most people look at me like I’m from outer space. I’m used to it.

I Dirted!

[Dirt]

@Drewdane 71180 wrote:

If nothing else, the potential consequences of running a red light while driving are much higher than on a bike, not least for others. The potential consequences of doing so on a bike are generally lower, and mostly accrue to me – I am risking my own safety, probably not someone else’s.

I’d actually say the opposite. The consequences for running a red light while cycling are MUCH higher than they are for cars. Cyclists in an accident will pretty much always end up much worse off than a driver. Because of the contributory negligence laws in this area, you get ZERO protection from the law if you’ve done anything illegal.

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@Dirt 71249 wrote:

I’d actually say the opposite. The consequences for running a red light while cycling are MUCH higher than they are for cars. Cyclists in an accident will pretty much always end up much worse off than a driver. Because of the contributory negligence laws in this area, you get ZERO protection from the law if you’ve done anything illegal.

Originally Posted by Drewdane View Post
If nothing else, the potential consequences of running a red light while driving are much higher than on a bike, not least for others. The potential consequences of doing so on a bike are generally lower, and mostly accrue to me – I am risking my own safety, probably not someone else’s.

I could be wrong, but I think you’re both saying the same thing.
But continuing along this line…What worries me, if I’m a scofflaw, is the possibility that I may cause a nervous driver (even if unnecessarily) to take drastic evasive action that could cause far more damaging consequences than I could cause with my two wheels.

[Dirt]

@Fast Friendly Guy 71254 wrote:

I could be wrong, but I think you’re both saying the same thing.

If everyone hates you, you’re independently wealthy and you have no family, that is exactly the case.

I know Drew pretty well. He’s loved and has a great family. I can’t talk to his wealth. There’s virtually no such thing as risking your own safety and probably not someone else’s.

Most of us have family and friends that loves us as well as financial responsibilities that would make life suck if we had no way to work and a mountain of medical bills. Trust me, bike accidents change lives… and rarely for the better.

Don’t mean to be harsh about this. That isn’t my intent. Thinking that your actions impact no-one else is more selfish than I think any of us really feel. I’m definitely NOT perfect at being thoughtful at this level. Not even close. It is, however, something that I’m working pretty hard at being more considerate and responsible about.

Rock on. Be safe.

[jnva]

I almost always stop for red lights, mostly out of respect for the law. take this video for instance, from my commute yesterday through georgetown. Police right there, but another biker runs the red light. He was not being unsafe, and to be honest I felt like a sitting duck waiting at that light in the middle of the street. Use your best judgement and be safe…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miOafkcJCI0

[oldbikechick]

I’m a hopeless rule-follower by nature and would never dream of running a red light on the road whether in a car or on a bike, but for some reason, those sidewalk lights on the Custis seem different. Maybe because it is a sidewalk. Maybe because everyone else runs them (except Dirt and Dasgeh). I do feel guilty though, especially when they changed the signals to bike signals. It was like they were saying, “in case there was any doubt, this means YOU, cyclist.” If I stop because there is cross traffic, sometimes I’ll just stay stopped till the light changes. If there is no cross-traffic, I usually go. Maybe you all will inspire me to stop. Or rear-end me, as the case may be.

[Drewdane]

@Dirt 71249 wrote:

I’d actually say the opposite. The consequences for running a red light while cycling are MUCH higher than they are for cars. Cyclists in an accident will pretty much always end up much worse off than a driver. Because of the contributory negligence laws in this area, you get ZERO protection from the law if you’ve done anything illegal.

I phrased that poorly. What I should have written is that I am more willing to assume the risks of running a light on a bike because I am unlikely to injure or kill the other party in a collision and I feel the risk to my own person is minimal to the point of being no worse than if I had the green light. After all, just because I’m breaking the law doesn’t mean I’m being incautious – exactly the opposite, in fact.

In a car, on the other hand, the potential consequences of being wrong are much more severe, and I won’t take that risk.

[Author]

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