Researchers have found that almost all road users break the law, but the reasons for the infractions differ between modes, with cyclists doing it to save their necks.
No, @[email protected] has a point. It’s not a great statistic when 16% of cyclists drive over red lights. There are idiots on bikes, too. The consequences of their actions might be a bit less than those of idiots in cars, but they can also harm people: You don’t want to be hit by a 90km guy going 25km/h on a 35kg eBike and even if they only hurt themselves, it’s also not great for the health system.
No, he really doesn’t have a point. First of all, he seems to think his anecdotes are better than data, which is categorically wrong.
Second, y’all are treating that red-light statistic as some sort of smoking gun to condemn cyclists, without any consideration of whether a cyclist running a red light actually is as bad as a car driver running a red light or not. In fact, there are a lot of circumstances that are different between bikes and cars, such that treating them differently can actually be appropriate. Haven’t you ever heard of the Idaho Stop? That state, and increasing numbers of others, are recognizing that in fact it isn’t appropriate to hold cyclists to the same rules as car drivers because letting them behave differently is safe.
Believe it or not, most cyclists aren’t actually suicidal. The reality is that if a bunch of them are running red lights, it’s probably either because
they have no choice (because the sensor isn’t recognizing them to trigger a green) or feel that it’s safer than the alternative.
Yeah, I know. I cycle myself. Sometimes I break the law, sometimes not. But that 86% study was done in central London and if you’ve ever cycled there, something like the Idaho Stop is not really sensible there. And there is so much traffic that you won’t find any issues with sensors not recognizing your fancy carbon bike.
No, @[email protected] has a point. It’s not a great statistic when 16% of cyclists drive over red lights. There are idiots on bikes, too. The consequences of their actions might be a bit less than those of idiots in cars, but they can also harm people: You don’t want to be hit by a 90km guy going 25km/h on a 35kg eBike and even if they only hurt themselves, it’s also not great for the health system.
No, he really doesn’t have a point. First of all, he seems to think his anecdotes are better than data, which is categorically wrong.
Second, y’all are treating that red-light statistic as some sort of smoking gun to condemn cyclists, without any consideration of whether a cyclist running a red light actually is as bad as a car driver running a red light or not. In fact, there are a lot of circumstances that are different between bikes and cars, such that treating them differently can actually be appropriate. Haven’t you ever heard of the Idaho Stop? That state, and increasing numbers of others, are recognizing that in fact it isn’t appropriate to hold cyclists to the same rules as car drivers because letting them behave differently is safe.
Believe it or not, most cyclists aren’t actually suicidal. The reality is that if a bunch of them are running red lights, it’s probably either because they have no choice (because the sensor isn’t recognizing them to trigger a green) or feel that it’s safer than the alternative.
Yeah, I know. I cycle myself. Sometimes I break the law, sometimes not. But that 86% study was done in central London and if you’ve ever cycled there, something like the Idaho Stop is not really sensible there. And there is so much traffic that you won’t find any issues with sensors not recognizing your fancy carbon bike.