"You're a road user, and you just ran a red light!"

[peasea]

This morning, I was, for the first time, subjected to the practical effects of the let's-moralise-at-perfect-strangers philosophy.

Perhaps because I'm much less forbidding-looking in bright lycra on a Trek than I am behind a dark visor on a GSX1400?

It was both deeply ridiculous and mildly irritating.

To the splutteringly indignant ZZR250 rider who felt it necessary to attempt to converse with me on the subject of red lights and how one shouldn't conserve momentum through them, I hereby dedicate the rest of my day's illegal maneuvers.

Given his somewhat apoplectic reaction to a cyclist blowing through an empty stoplight-controlled pedestrian crossing (no, it wasn't an actual road intersection), I suspect that some of my later downtown antics would have left him in need of actual medical attention.



Motorcyclists (particularly those of the learner/restricted licence variety, for some reason) can be such self-righteous twats. My resolve to never behave like that has been well strengthened.

Peace out, y'all!

Amen dude.

I ride a Harley Wideglide and out of town it's a gem, but all the bullshit attitudes arrive at the lights. I am of the opinion that as you get older (and want to slow down, stay alive etc) that because you have nothing to prove there are those who pressure you to do so.

ZZR250 riders are (to me) the future. GN250 riders too.

I was NEVER that. I NEVER had an attitude. I was NEVER full of shit, ten foot tall and bullet-proof.

Was what you saw in that fella the young'n you once were .... who was so self-righteous, indestructable and almighty?

Glass houses, my friend.

[marioc]

Why is it that cyclists think they can just shoot through red lights?

[EatOrBeEaten]

It's weird, I was in town yesterday and this wanker in lycra on some pushbike ran a red light! Fuckin' twat, breaking the rules and spoiling it for everyone.

Anyway, I decide to give the cheeky sod a piece of my mind. Just to let him know of course that it's not acceptable to do things like that.

I hope he learned his lesson, he gives all us two-wheeled types a bad name and I don't think it's right!

[ManDownUnder]

You blew straight on through a red and want us to defend you?

... interesting turn of events.

[jim.cox]

Why is it that cyclists think they can just shoot through red lights?

'cos we're just high-speed pedestrians, and do what pedestrians do....

[vifferman]

You blew straight on through a red and want us to defend you?.

I can understand it:

To the splutteringly indignant ZZR250 rider who felt it necessary to attempt to converse with me on the subject of red lights and how one shouldn't conserve momentum through them, ....

... a cyclist blowing through an empty stoplight-controlled pedestrian crossing (no, it wasn't an actual road intersection)

Right - so there was a stoplight-controlled pedestrian crossing, with NO pedestrians in the vicinity, and Mr jrandom decided it was foolishness to stop, then have to start from a stop and cycle up to cruising speed again.

I think that's perfectly acceptable. Good for him.

Yah! Boo! Sux! to the self-righteous ZZR250 rider.

While it bugs me cyclists blowing through traffic lights at intersections, or riding a couple of metres out in the road, or 2 / 3 abreast and complaining about cars not giving them room, this is a different kettle of ghoti, and has nothing to do with safety.

Sometimes, The Law is an ass.

I've not stopped in the car or on the bike in exactly the same situation. What's the point? I'm not some mindless drone that goes, "Oh... red light... must stop!" FFS - the traffic light was mindless: NO pedestrians, NO danger, NO point in stopping.

I've also stopped at intersections with a red turning arrow and no cars coming, and just gone anyway. I think carefully about my driving.

Note that I never normally blow through red lights (or amber, if I can help it), always stop at pedestrian crossings if I should, and always slow down to 30km/h past school buses on EITHER side of the road.

And of course, being a hypocrite, I also sometimes speed, currently have an illegal zorst on my bike, and sometimes do dumb or dangerous things.

[discotex]

'cos we're just high-speed pedestrians, and do what pedestrians do....

I'm not sure the law agrees

The only time it annoys me is when it's flying through a crowded pedestrian crossing or doing 30km/h on the footpath in the city. Have seen far to many people get clipped for no good reason. I've taken to projecting that I'm ready to clothesline the pricks if they don't give way. Seems to work wonders

Done courteously (most bikes seem to get this) is fine. Kinda like the shenanigans I get up to on my daily commute.

[ManDownUnder]

I can understand it:

Right - so there was a stoplight-controlled pedestrian crossing, with NO pedestrians in the vicinity, and Mr jrandom decided it was foolishness to stop, then have to start from a stop and cycle up to cruising speed again.

I think that's perfectly acceptable. Good for him.

Ok - now I've taken the time to understand it... I'm inclined to agree. But for the sake of argument, can't I pretend to be unreasonable?

And of course, being a hypocrite, I also sometimes speed, currently have an illegal zorst on my bike, and sometimes do dumb or dangerous things.

Hypocrites unite! (Especially the cute ones... and bring a camera...)

[Mikkel]

I must say that I kinda prefer the cyclists to get out of the way at intersections - so if they jump the gun that's perfectly fine by me. Also, I doubt that a cyclist is likely to trigger the sensors at the lights and as such them running the red after having done a double-check is perfectly fine too. Hell, as long as people check and make sure that they aren't going to cause any danger or inconvenience by running the red lights there really isn't an issue as far as I am concerned.

What pisses me off is when they are riding two abreast - one inside the cycling lane and one outside it... on a very busy road... or in the twisties.

[Skyryder]

The best comeback lines always occur to one about thirty seconds after the opportunity to use them passes.

Yep agreed. I just think its god's way of preventing ya face from getting smacked in.


Skyryder

[Finn]

Yep agreed. I just think its god's way of preventing ya face from getting smacked in.


Skyryder

And he'd know.

[coffeejunkie]

What the hell were you doing on a pushbike?

Didn't anyone tell you....Exercise can kill you so why take the fisk

[McJim]

And what makes GN250 riders lesser riders than you your highness ?

Prolly the fact that they actually ENJOY riding bikes and say so rather than sitting in a funk saying all bikes are bad

Well done jrandom - keep up the good work and maybe one day you too will own an entire Campagnolo groupset

[Waylander]

I bet the cyclist that ran a red light in front of me thought the intersection was empty too. He realized his mistake while prying the rear wheel of his really flash (read expensive) mountain bike out of my old trucks bumper. He's lucky I saw him when I did else it would have been his head mangled up in the bull bars.

Think about that next time Random and realize that people like me are tired of breaking for idiots that do not give way, or cross the centre line, or cut in right in front of us and no longer bother to even attempt to touch that pedal.

[Lucy]

Just now. I had a dozen Bluff oysters all to myself. With chups. They were in Foveaux Strait yesterday morning. The oysters, not the chups.

A girlfriend that works for an iwi-owned fisheries company is an awesome idea. I have no idea why I didn't think of it sooner.

Ok that's it. If I ever meet you in real life I am definitely going to give you the bash.

What the hell is a traffic light anyway? Or a cyclist for that matter? I see bikes around here without motors, only they are always tied up on the back of cars.