Why do cyclists flaunt the rules (note this is not a bashing thread and SHOULD not be turned in to a "but what about drivers" thread )

[exdulwicher]

29 minutes ago, Dulwichway said:

On a more dangerous note, do motor vehicle drivers hurtle through red lights on a regular basis?

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-15014665/One-five-drivers-run-red-light-youre-likely-caught-dash-cam-roadside-camera.html

So, yes.

That said, there's a whole host of "statistics" out there varying from the fairly accurate but only applicable to one or two junctions right up to user-generated surveys (often conducted by road safety organisations or insurance companies) where they've anonymously polled customers and collated the results which often vary from dubious to wildly misleading and can quite routinely be very selectively quoted as well.

 

It's disappointing how few people can read literally the first line in this thread cos there's a few interesting points mixed in with the usual "bloody cyclists!" nonsense.

On 16/08/2025 at 12:02, Spartacus said:

Aimed at cyclists and others alike. Please don't use it to sling mud at cyclists, or drivers but to have a genuine discussion about causation and motivation.

 

[Dulwichway]

6 minutes ago, Hen123 said:

 

This thread is about cyclists constantly flaunting the rules like riding through red lights etc, so you think that is ok?

5 minutes ago, malumbu said:

"going through red lights all day long without a care in the world and no respect for other road users or pedestrians alike. If a motor vehicle did the same day in day out a big fine and a ban would soon follow."

A generalisation not a fact.   Others may wish to discuss the topic.  You have just posted a one sized fits all view, which suggests you are rather blinkered in your views.  Most cyclists have respect for other road users.  Most are also have driving licenses and virtually all are pedestrians as well.  I suggest that you open your mind.

My mind is fully open thanks!  (yours though? hmm..) Yes I do see the odd well behaved cyclist, some of my cycling family and friends being of that ilk too.

[Rockets]

55 minutes ago, Dulwichway said:

I'm not actually angry, (just helping the forum along☺️) just slightly annoyed that rules apply to some and not others.

And I think this is the crux of the issue - people get annoyed when they see drivers ignoring the rules so they also get annoyed when they see cyclists ignoring the rules and nowadays you can often see cyclists ignoring the rules at every junction in London.

23 minutes ago, malumbu said:

going through red lights all day long without a care in the world and no respect for other road users or pedestrians alike. If a motor vehicle did the same day in day out a big fine and a ban would soon follow."

A generalisation not a fact.   

No that is a fact. If you jump red lights all day in a car you will get fined and, most likely, a lot of points on your licence. Why? Because red light driving violations are policed at many junctions to stop people doing it. Is there the same policing of cyclists? No. 

I get the "loss of momentum" argument but us smart cyclists realise that losing their momentum is far better than encountering someone else's momentum midway through the junction.

I was at the DV/Red Post Hill junction today and a cyclist quite literally played Frogger weaving between cars coming from his left and right as he jumped a red light. Absolute idiot or "statistic in waiting" as I like to say! No doubt if a car had hit him someone (like Dulwich Roads) would have posted about how awful cars are and how dangerous our roads are for cyclists.

[tiddles]

As a driver, pedestrian and cyclist I am afraid that I have observed mainly cyclists ignoring the rules of the road - particularly when I am on my bike at traffic lights (mainly Dulwich village and red post hill junctions). The best ones were a chap in a cargo bike whizzing thru a red light with kids on board, plus the dad with 2 children behind him- jumping the red lights - the cars with the right of way had to avoid his small children going across their path..