Sharp rise in number of London cyclists fined for red light jumping

My main issue with RLJing is that it's only 'safe' because you assume everyone else will abide by the rules. Isn't that a bit selfish? What makes you so special?

Well said Trek8500

In our ‘If I can get away with it then who cares’ society, running red lights seems all too common. Sadly, 85-90% of all the cyclists on my commute pay scant regard for red lights, let alone show any real awareness of approaching traffic or fellow cyclists.

Some cyclists even go ‘slowly’ through the lights, as though it makes it ok - as if shows them being cautious and considerate.
Others wait for other cyclists to make the first move, then as though being given approval, follow like sheep.

Some people have commented that it’s only couriers who run the lights, but that is utter rubbish and ill-informed. From wobbly Boris bikers, to no clue novices on sit-up and begs wearing headphones, lycra racers who think they are in the Surrey Hills, too cool for school fixie riders and, middle englanders who should know better – they all bloody do it.

There are no excuses for running red – it’s breaking the law and shows no respect for any other road user, motorist, fellow cyclist or pedestrian.

Is it ok to be holding your mobile while driving?

I am sure any one of the cyclists that run red would be up in arms if a driver on his mobile knocked them off – but hey, one rule for one and another for YOU. I am sure the motorist would swear he was in perfect control and was aware of all around him – utter tosh.

I think it’s time to show some respect to other road users and stop at the lights. Yes, cyclists, motorists and pedestrian alike .

Hitting out at specific groups might be easy, but it’s the individuals - whether motorists, cyclists or pedestrians (don’t even get me on that one – walking across the road on their phones, chatting and not giving a toss about anyone or anything), that are too blame. We all surely owe each other some basic respect. If we all do 'what we want, when we want', then imagine what a fucked up world we would live in.

As it happens I am a lycra/baggy clad fixie rider and would consider myself a pretty serious cyclist and thankfully one with more than half a clue.

What’s the problem with stopping at the lights? If you are unable to position yourself in the road properly then go on a cycling proficiency course. Don’t get me wrong, motorists need to slow down and show respect too, it’s a two way street (well sometimes lol), but there is NO excuse for running the lights.

I knew that's why I stopped for the red

You can't compare cyclists habits to that of motorists or anyone else for example.. Its like the old saying of "well if he jumped off a cliff would you do it."

Jumping red is silly and yes its mainly the slow bumbling cyclists who never look behind themselves that do this .. I usually pass them in an instant without even breaking a sweat on my bike, and why is it those same slow cyclists that feel the need to push in-front off all other cyclists?

The best way to pull away from lights is to be like a car use as much space as you like when pulling off, most motorists will give you room, like they do with Motorbike riders.

Another benefit red lights give.. is the opportunity to check out any hotties in the area... be that on two wheels or two legs

Life moves pretty fast.. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. !

Sitting at the front of a queue at a cross roads and pulling off as the opposing lights go from green to amber and nothing is coming is fine by me. It's safe and saves you getting cut up by the car behind. The other story in the news section about more women getting killed by waiting for green proves the skill works.

There's this scenario and jumping a green as it turns to red which is dangerous behaviour best left to drivers! The two different acts are constantly ( and often intentionally ) confused.

If as a motorist you don't like cyclists positioning themselves to observe that the cross lights are changing to red and pulling away early then there is only one realistic solution - get a bike.

@ Tony - a bit concerning that the met don't consider entering the ASZ on red an offence. Maybe the page mentioning RTA 36 was missing or stuck down with jam from their donuts!!

To those who condone or engage in RLJ'g stop being pillocks. Lights are there for everyone's safety. They give you the chance to read the road ahead. Personally I don't filter to the front and take my chances in the drag race with other bikes and cars! I keep to the flow of traffic and enjoy some free air when the vehicle in front starts to move off Also means I am less likely to get forced into the gutter.

cyclists in Italy ignore the red, many a time i have been sitting at the front, as i obey them when in the car, only to see a swarm of multicolours flashing past on boths sides and avoiding the oncoming traffic and no one bats an eye....

I would also like to see the breakdown between tickets issued by camera's vs. those on foot. Would also like to know which camera's can be used to catch cars as not all traffic lights have the typical RLJing camera's on them. If however they are allowed to use CCTV camera's then I think they may have more options.
Whilst my commutes into and out of London allow me to witness a ton of RLJing (most by the same people as they pass me at lights, I pass them after I get a green, they jump again - repeat) I have also seen a fair few RLJing motorised vehicles, including a BUS this morning!

Whatever the rights and wrongs of RLJing, they don't include the effect on the reputation of cyclists. See this argument on a cyclists' blog http://aseasyasridingabike.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/giving-cyclists-a-ba...

The point the blogger is making, illustrated with an analogy about a Kurdish criminal, is that while bad behaviour exhibited by majorities (like speeding offences of motorists) is largely tolerated as "normal", similar behaviour by small minorities is roundly condemned, and the irrational prejudice against that minority will always find expression somehow in such accusations.

The parody on anti-cyclist attitudes (substituting pedestrians) referred to in teh ost is hilarious.

Always look over your right shoulder first to check whether there are any cop cars around. And before anyone starts criticising, there are plenty of cops on bikes who jump the lights as well.

About 20 years ago a traffic cop pulled me over for jumping a red light on my mountain bike as I pedalled to work. He gave me a telling off and let it go at that and I learned my lesson. He was right, I was wrong. I don't agree with people claiming that jumping red lights is for their own safety, it isn't. It gets us all a bad rep with the anti-cycling numpties who believe potato face Jeremy Clarkson is some kind of oracle and/or who read the Daily Mail and/or believe all that nonsense about Road Tax (which was abolished before WWII) giving them a right to own the road like Mr Toad.

rrrrrrrrr - I don't think that only jumping lights where you know the sequence is any justification, nor that it makes it any safer.

All it takes is for one vehicle coming through an amber from another direction and you're toast.

Besides, it's always possible to out accelerate a car at traffic lights.

The lights are there to protect you, other vehicles, and pedestrians crossing the road.
If you injure yourself or somebody else because you believe you're a special case and the lights don't apply to you, then you deserve any fine or other sanction that you may get if you're caught.

It's just not worth the risk to save a few paltry seconds in your life.

In my experience motorists jump red lights after the green phase, tagging on to the end of the traffic which has legitimately gone through the junction on green. Cyclists are less likely to do this, since they are more vulnerable. Cyclists tend to go through red lights when the traffic is stopped at red, which, I guess, appears much more blatant to motorists.

There are junctions in Cambridge where I can guarantee that cars will follow traffic through on red every time!

While I happy for red light jumping cyclists to be caught and fined, I do wish that the Met Police would do more about other road problems when out of these sting operations. They have a habit of turning a bind eye to cars, buses and taxis entering ASZs on red, driving dangerouly and even red light jumping.

I'm sure the jump in number is down to more police sting operations, than more instances.

Totally unashamed redlight jumper here.

It IS safer because you get away from traffic and can be out in front, visible, rather than trying to accelerate pell mell with the cars in a drag race.
and it's definitely quicker.

I only do it on my commuting route where I know the sequencing of the lights though.

My experience is that those red light jumping cyclists are usually the slow wobblers and I tend to tell 'em off as I voertake them further up the road.

80'00 people skipped a red light?! How is that even possible?! What are people doing while they are driving??