Stop at Red
Thanks for visiting stopatred.org.nz
Stop at red is a campaign to reduce crashes and improve the status of cycling in the eyes of the public and policy-makers, and to tackle the attitudes of those cyclists whose behaviour perpetuates the image of cyclists as irresponsible.
Its specific focus is on running red lights.
It also has two general aims:
- To encourage cyclists to show courtesy towards other road users and pedestrians.
- To encourage greater compliance with the road rules.
Stop at red was inspired by a UK campaign, and created by concerned cyclists, alarmed about how cycling is being undermined by the reckless actions of an unrepresentative minority.
We are simply asking people to sign our online petition in the form of a pledge to stop at red. We trust that by doing so you will also subscribe to the general spirit of the campaign. It doesn't have to be a war out there.
Sign the electronic petition. (coming soon)
For more information on stopatred you can contact us on: patrick [at] can [dot] org [dot] nz
Why stop at red?
If you are in the habit of running red lights then we would like you to consider this:
Running a red light may save you a few seconds but...
1. It's potentially dangerous.
You may get hurt. Others may get hurt - either directly by you, or by the effect of another vehicle having to take evasive action. The consequences could be fatal.
2. It annoys just about everyone.
There is a rising tide of hostility towards cyclists - evident on the streets, in the media and in the political process. (Women attack and rob cyclists ODT 12 July, Cycling: Don't rule the road, read the rules NZ Herald 21 July 2010)
3. It has an impact on general attitudes towards cyclists.
It undermines our chances of getting improved facilities. Better cycle routes are funded by taxpayer's money. How can we make a case for better funding when our image is poor?
We believe that an individual cyclist's behaviour can make a difference, so we are politely asking you to consider the consequences of your behaviour.
Besides, what's the hurry? You already ride the fastest vehicle in town!
The good news, lest we forget...
Cycling is part of the solution, not the problem.
Cycling is good news, no matter how you look at it:
- It's fun.
- It's good for you. What's more, if you use a bike as transport you are integrating exercise into your everyday routine.
- It's good for the environment. If you substitute it for motorised transport.
- It's good for society and culture. Cycle friendly towns are better places to live.
How to trigger traffic lights
Most traffic lights are activated when a passing vehicle triggers an electromagnetic coil buried in the road. You can often see where the road surface has been cut. Sometimes the council paints a row of diamonds or a little bike stencil to mark the buried cable.
Position your bike above the coil to activate the lights.
Note: this won't work for carbon fibre bikes.
(add pics here)
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Comments
Bums on bikes - Capital Times 4 August 2010
Bums on bikes
Why do bums on bikes not have to obey traffic lights like us real people?
This morning on the way to work one of them – without a crash hat I might add – snuck through our traffic jam, wobbled on his bike while he waited for a gap in the traffic and then rode right through the intersection against the red light which was holding up the rest of us .
I see it often, and they irritate me.
Jenny Mathes, Wainuiomata.
http://www.capitaltimes.co.nz/page/8/Letters.html
Use your head - Stop at Red
I agree with your correspondent Jenny Mathes, about cyclists running red lights.
It breaks the rules and annoys just about everyone.
So that's why Cycling Advocates Network is launching a Stop at Red campaign.
Stop at Red aims to encourage cyclists to show courtesy towards other road users, and to encourage compliance with the road rules. Boo to bad biking behaviour!
Mind you, cyclists get pretty annoyed when pedestrians step out without looking, and when drivers speed or overtake too close.
This story is not about bad bikers, it's about showing common courtesy and following some simple rules, whether you are on foot, on your bike or behind the wheel.
Interesting how red light
Interesting how red light "lawlessness" reflects the priority given to users, pedestrians, cyclists, the motor vehicles (in order starting at lowest priority in terms of infrastructure and facilities). i.e. pedestrian light phasing priority is usually the worse, with usually no where to wait out of the rain etc. In ChCh there is work being done after the Gehl report to look at how this might be improved. Pedestrians are supposed to be (according to the manuals of best practice) at the top of the pecking order. In CHCH there is an ongoing situation going south from Antigua Street bridge. Highlighted by a cyclist crossing on the green phase for pedestrians and cyclists going south who has twice nearly been hit by a cyclist coming from the right speeding through on a red light.
The comment has been made that some cyclists "jump" the red light, and sometimes this is to get ahead of the flow (abit like an advanced cycle box in terms of aim) whereas cars tend to go through an orange and often red light (something most cyclists would not do, as too risky).
When a cycle lane continues after a T-intersection then there should be no reason cyclists can not just keep cycling with a signal to allow them to do this, if not an issue for pedestrians. Any cyclist by passes need to be best practice including in relation to pedestrians. We don't want to shift the problem to pedestrians, already frustrated with crossings themselves.
I stopped running red lights
I stopped running red lights after a car driver followed me through one. I'd decided to sneak through on the pedestrian phase, and the driver behind evidently didn't check the lights but assumed since I was going, the light must be green.
Sadly for him, there was a police car right behind him. The siren went, the poor bloke no doubt got pulled over, I disappeared feeling like a right arse, having not only contributed to endangering a bunch of walkers but probably indirectly earning this driver some demerit points or something. That was it for me.
How often do cyclists run the red?
How regularly do cyclists run the red?
I have an hour or two of counts done in Wellington. Cyclists were a bit worse than cars, but not as lawless as pedestrians. The level of compliance changed dramatically from one intersection to another. It could be argued that an engineering solution should be considered where compliance is particularly poor (e.g. If 75% of riders are heading through red along the top of a T intersection, then put in a cyclist bypass (especially if the riders happen to be going up hill, or there is a seldom used footpath available, like opposite the Karori fire station).
The issue of lights not being triggered by bikes is something that needs to be addressed. Electromagnetic sensors designed for bikes don't work with carbon fibre. I know this complicates the issue, but it's such an easy out for riders that I think you need to counter it at the outset.
I think this is a good
I think this is a good idea,
I've often seen arguments by cyclists saying that since breaking road rules, like running red lights, doesn't directly cause accidents, it doesn't matter. this completely ignores the indirect effect of generating hostility towards cyclists in other road users.
There seem to be several differing accounts of the Outram incident, perhaps illustrating how deep the divide between different road user groups can be. both the articles and the on-line responses to them make for "interesting" reading.
Finally, lets not forget that many of these "good news" benefits also stack up as economic benefits, in reducing direct costs (imported fuel) and indirect costs (e.g heath care)