Right up there in the most frequently discussed cyclist politics topics is: “Where do you wait at the traffic light?”
As this is a serious matter I’ve given it plenty of consideration. In fact I’ve given it so much though that when I arrive at a traffic light I find myself stumbling in a sea of options. Eventually parking my two wobbly wheels probably where I shouldn’t be.
I’ve been through different turning points in my life on this issue. After cycle training I found myself acting like a car and positioning myself safely in the middle of a lane and waiting there for the light to turn green. Lately things have got sloppy. I now position myself as far forward as possible without running a red light. I guess technically I am running it as I’m positioned in-front of the light. However, I find that this forward position gives me the enjoyment of a few key seconds to move off before cars.
Where do you wait at a traffic light and why?
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I don’t think you can have any hard and fast rules on this one because it depends on the conditions at the time, the type of road (small, narrow, wide, potholed) Prevailing road conditions and what level of traffic there is on the road. If there’s a lorry at the lights and I’m approaching I’ll sit behind the lorry, never at the side or in front, I don’t trust their powers of observation. If it’s a wide road I’m happy to sit near the kerb, if it’s a narrow road I sit in the middle and take off fast when the lights change.
I agree, the best place is nice and far infront of the cars. Where there is an advanced stop line that is often full of taxis and motorbikes its nice to get a bit ahead. The only problem is, particularly within the jurisdiction of the over zealous city (of london) police, the constabulary consider this to be illegal and therefore bad.
I was once pulling onto Holborn Circus, up hill from Smithfield, where a couple of extra seconds to pull infront of the traffic is essential to not be pushed off the roundabout at the wrong exit.
However a self important member of the City Police Bike-squad decided that because this meant waiting infront of the line, I had run the light like a crazy person with no regard for safety. When people like this see things in such black and white terms, its often safer to take the more dangerous option, in order to mitigate the risk of being taxed, I mean fined.
ERIC—-re. roundabouts……stick your right arm out as you go round the roundabout, and then stick your left arm out to exit. I’m a cyclist and a driver, and I’m sure you will get more respect from drivers if you do that.
Phill. Thankyou for the advice, as a fellow driver and cyclist I agree that signalling is essential. It is however another matter, and not the subject of this discussion. I think that an optimal trafficlight position, followed up by effective signaling as practiced by anyone who cycles properly is the best way to cycle safely and considerately.
At lights, I will try to weave my way to the front of the queue, usually boxed up in the cycle box as far left as possible, comparing bikes with the cyclist next to me.
I do not like waiting behind vehicles especially if they are buses or lorries purely to the fact all that exhaust smoke goes directly into my face. I would rather be in clear air at the front and will also make me more visible to the drivers. I’m always in a lower gear so can usually push off pretty quickly and not impede anyone.
With regards to the lights, I hardly ever wait at a light, usually a quick glance to check no coppers around and then I’ll creep out as far as I can get safely. Then when the green man comes on the for the pedestrians I will take my cue to cross. Never if there are coppers around though. Then I’ll be as good as gold.
Recent example in St. Pauls, at a light with a couple other cyclists. All 3 of us itching to get away before the lights turned green. A traffic cop waiting at the bollard up ahead. I do not know whether they didn’t notice him but they moved off. I waited about 10 secs after and then moved off too literally just before the lights turned. Lo and behold the copper beckoned the two of them to pull over and gave them a ticking off (and maybe a fine). Cue warm gloating feeling building up inside…
Key to cycling is to be switched on at all times and cycle smart.