Exactly wrong.
Red Light Jumping is not acceptable at all.

If you can't abide by the laws of the road, you shouldn't be on it - end of fucking story.

Other people's bad behaviour does not justify behaving badly.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 15:28, 2 replies)

Quite
There is no need to get "up to speed" as a cyclist at the lights who is paying attention will almost always pull off in advance of the car behind them.
(Bazongaloid, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 15:57, closed)

"almost always pull off in advance of the car behind them"
Arf!
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Fri 23 Sep 2011, 16:00, closed)

Not acceptable at all?
Picture the scene:

Pelican crossing, button has been pressed, pedestrian has already crossed, light goes red, no hazards in any direction so I ride through with urgent documents for Decimus Fearon LLP (awesome name for a law firm no?) or whoever, saving time and therefore earning more money. And this is wrong?

The alternative is to stop and wait, therefore becoming a hazard to all the motorists who will inevitably pile up behind me and rev off as soon as the light flashes amber, cutting me up or squeezing me against parked cars because after all, I'm not a real road user I'm "just a fucking cyclist", a guest on the road in the eyes of most motorists. When I start being treated like a valid road user I'll start acting like one. Until then I'll do whatever I can to get to my destination as quickly as possible but more importantly as safely as possible.

I'm assuming you're a motorist who's ignorant of the fact that when on a bicycle you have an elevated, unobstructed, panoramic view of the road allowing you to take certain liberties safely, which cannot be taken by motorists.
(Lord Smegington, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 16:09, closed)

Not acceptable at all, no.
You wait at the light like every other road user. That's the rules - you don't get special exception to jump the queue because of the job you chose to do.

You're not more important than anyone else, you don't have special dispensation to break the rules.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 16:21, closed)

I think you're just jealous
and probably overweight. Start riding every day, it'll make you thinner, less grumpy, stronger, more attractive, better at doing everything and statistically 97% more likely to enjoy your life. It's a lovely day outside so I'm off to break some rules...
(Lord Smegington, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 16:38, closed)

try and do it
next to a bus
(andythepieman Is surfing the waves of indifference on, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 16:39, closed)

I'm not jealous at all, and I'm not overweight, but thanks for playing.

( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 16:46, closed)

Uh...
I'm not overweight, I ride almost every day and while I'm not a fantastic cyclist I'm capable of overtaking cars when I really want to.

Oh, and I think you're a dick. Get some more gears and you'll be able to pull away a bit faster.
( MatJ LOOK, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 18:31, closed)

Mr Vagabond has it right
I feel like a right dick sitting at red traffic lights when other cyclists pile past me through the red light. Am I a dick?

Someone please tell me I'm not a dick.
( AWPS, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 17:03, closed)

You're not a dick.
The point is that not all cyclists have the same dsicretion. Some will just ride straight through a red oblivious to pedestrians. The rest of us get tarred with the same brush and it hardly helps improve the public's perception of us does it?
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Fri 23 Sep 2011, 17:07, closed)

No, exactly.
( AWPS, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 17:09, closed)

nope not acceptable
just makes you yet another cunt on a bike to everyone who sees you do it
(andythepieman Is surfing the waves of indifference on, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 16:27, closed)

Picture this scene...
You're at a crossroads, both sets of lights are red because the little green man is lit.

You approach, see no pedestrians and only a car coming from the right - but he's got to stop because of his red light.
You jump the lights, because you've got an important job to do.

The driver from your right is also as self-important, and feels he can obey the law as he sees fit, and also jumps the lights (after all, his job is far more important than yours).

Who's in the wrong when you're a greasy smear on the road?

I can see where you're coming from, but at least admit you shouldn't do it, even though you think it's fairly safe.
(Kliper Filllets Getting noticed by twats on the internet since, Tue 27 Sep 2011, 12:17, closed)