Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

...
You see this is something else that doesnt do the cyclist any favours. If a cyclist rode into me and knocked me off my bike then I'm screwed. I cant claim off of his insurance... he has none. Situation revered and you can bet any amount they'll be wanting a claim off of mine. Bit one sided, which is wrong imo.
...

If the cyclist causes an accident then you can sue him directly: All the insurance does is give him financial back up once he's found guilty. Not having insurance is not a licence for a cyclist to do what they want. (However, I admit getting details of a cyclist might be a bit difficult in some circumstances, but this is what the police are for.)

I cycle to work every day. No traffic light junctions anymore but, in the past (into Manchester), I used to routinely pass the stop line at red traffic lights. Technically illegal but it was to get out of the danger zone and get ahead of the inevitable traffic light grand prix that shows no mercy for the little cyclist. (Who doesn't poke their m/bike ahead of the front cars when they've filtered to the front of a queue? Exactly the same principle, I suggest.) However, I never went across a junction when the light was red, as that is stupid, unsafe and very definitely illegal. Let's not confuse the two behaviours - I assure you they are very different and should be treated so.

[Ruffy]

Thought I'd add that I'm with Northwind on this one: it's not clear exactly what is going on here with the red light jumping.

In my experience, many cyclists adopt behaviours that are designed to compensate for the lack of consideration shown by other road users (usually car drivers), probably borne out of lack of understanding. This is shown most acutely in congestion, where everyone's selfish traits appear because no-one wants to be delayed.

[fizzwheel]

Well from the video shown on the news tonight. I dont think he technically did jump it.

Yes it shows him cycling past the stop line, but if you look a few metres ahead, theres already a cyclist stopped on the extreme edge of the junction.

That cyclist has positioned himself further ahead of the cars and also to give himself a better view of whats actually coming across his path. So he has a better chance of

1. Getting across the junction before the cars behind him get onto the junction.

2. Seeing what might be crossing his path, i.e if somebody jumps the lights coming the other way he'll be in a better position to see the approaching vehicles.

I wander if Mr Cameron was cycling forward to get himself into that position and then was going to stop there. Yes I know he passed a red light but he actually hasnt ridden across the junction against a red light...

[Biker Biggles]

We need to cut Cameron some slack here.It would be so embarassing for him to be run down by his own ministerial limo which follows him everywhere,so creeping over the stop line is ok in his case.

I must put my hands up to doing something "similar".
I often weave in and out of slow(er) movng vehicles, passing them on both the offside and the nearside. I regularly make my way to the front of stationary traffic and when I get to the front I may actually cross the stop line so that I am in clear view of the surrounding vehicles. When the lights change I like to make sure that I am one of (if not "the") first away. I think that there may even be the odd case of actually crossing the stop sign before the lights were green.
Thankfully, I was on a motorcycle and not a bicycle. If I had been on a bicycle I would be acting illegally and in a dangerous manner. As I was on a motorcycle I can get away with most of the manouvres due to them being neccessary to make "progress" through the traffic.
I have actually been known to go slightly over the legal speed limit on the odd occasion but please don't regard me as a retard because I really didn't mean to and I will promise to try and keep within the law in future.

Originally Posted by Furry Ginger One

I must put my hands up to doing something "similar".
I often weave in and out of slow(er) movng vehicles, passing them on both the offside and the nearside. I regularly make my way to the front of stationary traffic and when I get to the front I may actually cross the stop line so that I am in clear view of the surrounding vehicles. When the lights change I like to make sure that I am one of (if not "the") first away. I think that there may even be the odd case of actually crossing the stop sign before the lights were green.
Thankfully, I was on a motorcycle and not a bicycle. If I had been on a bicycle I would be acting illegally and in a dangerous manner. As I was on a motorcycle I can get away with most of the manouvres due to them being neccessary to make "progress" through the traffic.
I have actually been known to go slightly over the legal speed limit on the odd occasion but please don't regard me as a retard because I really didn't mean to and I will promise to try and keep within the law in future.

That's all ok as long as you didn't pull a wheelie, the collective .org will forgive

Originally Posted by Tim in Belgium

That's all ok as long as you didn't pull a wheelie, the collective .org will forgive

Not speeding is unforgivable. Sorry.

Given the man cant be trusted in charge of a push bike, even when he's in the public eye, why would anyone trust him in charge of Trident.

There are no regulations about the use of Nuclear weapons.

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Well from the video shown on the news tonight. I dont think he technically did jump it.

Yes it shows him cycling past the stop line, but if you look a few metres ahead, theres already a cyclist stopped on the extreme edge of the junction.

That cyclist has positioned himself further ahead of the cars and also to give himself a better view of whats actually coming across his path. So he has a better chance of

1. Getting across the junction before the cars behind him get onto the junction.

2. Seeing what might be crossing his path, i.e if somebody jumps the lights coming the other way he'll be in a better position to see the approaching vehicles.

I wander if Mr Cameron was cycling forward to get himself into that position and then was going to stop there. Yes I know he passed a red light but he actually hasnt ridden across the junction against a red light...

He crossed the line.

End of

The line is there to mark where you stop.

If this is not a problem, then why did Daimo get hassled a month or two ago for crossing the line into the cyclost box and be threatedned with being done for jumping 3 red lights?

He (Cameron) should get at least 3 points on his car license publically for this.

And before anyone asks, yes I have been known to go into the cycle stop area when I have felt it necessary - such as when the vehicle to my left is a bus or a van.

Must get that video and maybe use it if I ever get hassled for it - well if the Leader of the Opposition can do it, why cant I ?????