One of the suggestions raised is that when bicycles jump red lights it tends to be when cars are stoped at red lights, so the misbehaving cyclist is very visible to the motorists, ie, they are all stopped and looking forward at the time the cyclist does his/her thing.

When a pedestrian jumps a red light, the motorists’ attention is actually more occupied with driving the car and avoiding accidents rather than focussing on the offending pedestrian.

Unless it’s really a matter of personal safety, I don’t see any reason for anyone to jump red lights.

I’d really like someone to do a serious study of this problem, because I suspect that there are probably just as many cars as bicycles going through red lights. The study would need to look at the reasons for the behaviour in order to suggest the remedy.

At large intersections there simply isn’t enough time on the amber light to accomodate safe passage through the intersection.

Sometimes traffic lights are hidden behind other street signage (even trees) so that motorists and cyclists are not aware of them (unless you are very familiar with the area). I know this is illegal, but the recommendations are based on average car heights and area of vision, and do not take into account the different viewing angles by cyclists. Even legally parked trucks and buses can obscure a cyclists view of the road and signage ahead.

Ofcourse, there will always be those motorists and cyclists who are just impatient and the full force of the law should be brought to be bear on these people.

I’m guessing that NIgel Havers’ career is in decline and he simply felt the need to say something in order to lift his media presence.

CC