Riding a push-bike through red lights

[rachelmonday1]

AIBU for calling out to a woman and politely telling her that riding her push-bike through a red light is not only illegal but also very dangerous. She very impolitely told be where to go, but being a motorist who is always trying to second-guess cyclists actions I felt it only right to make my point. I also cycle, so am not a selfish motorist or anything, just someone that knows that a cyclist will get physically hurt far more than the motorist, but the motorist will still suffer with having been involved in an accident. Views......

I googled it Corus! But the message should be the same.

I'd read up thread about the gender difference re harm to cyclists and that women get hurt more proportionately and that is thought to do with women being less likely to ride 'aggressively'. I'd substitute aggression with assertively. ime women are far more likely to ride near the kerb, or even in the gutter. Men are more likely to assume the primary position. It does take some nerve, and even 'balls' to assert yourself in heavy traffic, though the law and the HC indicates you every right to do so, and drivers should only over-take you when it is safe to do so. Exactly like over-taking any other road user. Drivers, again ime, respond as if you have done something to personally offend them.

I think the point is that they are legally and morally to blame if they run a red light and hit a pedestrian. Whether you mean it or not, the way you've phrased it does sound very defensive and like the real fault lays with the pedestrian.

Agree about women and cycling - it was my biggest fault when DH was teaching me to cycle safely in London.

I think one of the many points is that you shouldn't be putting yourself in harms way when that is easily avoidable, whether riding driving or walking. As we teach children to not do. Pedestrians blithely walking into the road are a real nuisance.

About two weeks ago my car broke down (something called a knock sensor was kaput) about 30 metres from traffic lights. But with the hazard lights on and the bonnet up, drivers still queued up behind me for the lights! I was there for about 30 mins and it went on throughout. It was really odd, and course concerning that so many drivers were paying such little attention to what was on the road that they would actually queue up in that circs. And that was a 'random survey' in action.

I agree with derailleur. I have ALWAYS told my DC not to assume it is safe to cross just because there is a green man. They ALSO have to check for themselves. This is the mistake my 11yo cousin made when he was hit by a car jumping the pedestrian lights and put into a coma for over 2 months (he was excited coming out of school and saw his mum on the other side of the road, coming to find him. She witnessed it all ).

I also agree that it is still, legally and morally, the fault of the person jumping the lights.

Pedestrians stepping off the pavement without looking for bikes however (not talking junctions with lights any more) are a complete liability for cyclists and they DO need to do more than listen for cars - both bikes and electric cars are nearly silent.