I wanted to share my traffic light strategy with you guys and hear more about what you do when confronted by the dreaded red light.

Red light battle plan

My red traffic light strategy puts great military strategists like Napoleon Bonaparte to shame. In fact if it was me versus Lance Armstrong on a busy central London road riddled with traffic lights then it is these tactics that would make all the difference. Without further ado here is my top secret, well refined, red light strategy:

Plan A: Approach as slow as a turtle and attack as fast as a tiger

If you see a red light up ahead then try and time your arrival at the light just as it turns green. This means you don’t grind to a complete halt and keep some of the forward momentum.

Plan B: “Some rules can be bent, others can be broken” Matrix

Is London Cyclist going to suggest jumping red lights? Me, never, ever! I don’t make a habit of jumping red lights but what I do tend to do is stop in front of the light. This is usually because there is no advanced stop lines or if there is a car is helpfully parked in it. I only do this if there is another traffic light across the road I can look at to see when it turns green. 

This gives you a couple of valuable seconds clearance on other road users.

Plan C: Yoda say: Bike gears, you must use

If I know I will have to come to a stop because it is a long light then I tend to flick down a gear before stopping to give myself a bit of a quicker and easier start.

Plan D: Timing is everything

After riding a certain route a few times you get to know the timings of the lights. For example on my old route back from work I knew that if I’m caught by a certain light I’ll be caught by the next two. So I always put in a bit of rapid pedalling.

Plan E: Use disguises to your advantage

So you’re at a light that helps pedestrians cross the road. Jump off the bike and what are you? You are a pedestrian. Wheel the bike across and hop back on. No harm done and you’re on your way home.

Plan F: Orange means go

If I know I can make it through a light while it is still on orange I go for it.

Plan G: Wiggle your way to the front

I always weave my way to the front of traffic so that when the light turns green I’m there waiting for it. This requires good, careful cycling so as not to knock off any mirrors or hit any fellow cyclists. Often I find a gap on the other side of the road (again only if it is safe to do so).

Your strategies?

Which of these tactics do you tend to use? Do you have any of your own you would share? Have you mastered the art of track standing?

Image by: Stringberd

• If safe to do so then get off your bike and walk across the traffic light – your not breaking any laws right?
• When stuck in traffic don’t just sit there – with a few manoeuvres you can be at the front of that traffic jam
• Anticipate the traffic – know when to speed up and when to slow down and see where there are potential spots to change lanes if one lane is moving faster etc
• Keep your bike in good condition – A good bike with pumped up tires etc will ride more easily
• Find a faster route to your destination – there is always a quicker way, don’t just stick to the same old route you have always used. Investigate new routes and find ones with less traffic lights
• Switch to a lower gear when you know you are coming to a stop, it will be easier to accelerate once that light turns green

Whilst in a city you are unlikely to reach your top speed you will get there faster.Do you know any more good speedy cycling tips?

See also:

• The comments people have left below with some amazing tips
• How to find and plan the perfect cycling trip in the UK
• Cycling accessories – things to know before you spend your money
• Top 50 cycling blogs

Image source: Jkonig Flickr stream

101-1411 23.5 mph

Originally uploaded by Chris(topher) Lin

Whilst I don’t have a speedometer on my new bicycle, due to the stop start nature of commuting in London back when I was at college I managed to get up to 26 mph, admittedly whilst going down a hill.

What is the highest speed you have ever travelled at on your bicycle?