Not exactly a shock if you commute in traffic.

I'm starting to ride more and more like a messenger. I don't like doing it in a team jersey (think of the poor sponsors!) but I really don't want to get run down by an idiot in a hurry - they usually stomp the gas and cut me off right after a red light turns, or right before a green light goes red. When I burn lights consistently, I can leave any particular car several blocks back within 2-3 minutes.

The trick of turning right into traffic, then hooking a U-turn, not so sure how safe that is, however...

I agree with Jim that this is no shock. To me, it's all about using the lights to your advantage to put distance between you and other traffic and to otherwise avoid biker-motorist conflict.

I can think of a number of places on my commute where it's safer to run red lights. One such place: I have to make a left hand turn from 14th Street down near the Mall. If I do it after having gone through a red light, it's easy. But if I have to cross several lanes of traffic to turn on a road motorists treat as an on-ramp to an interstate, well then it's a little trickier.

I completely agree as well and will state that in most cases everything I do on the bike that is breaking the law is actually done with my own best interest of safety in mind. Sitting in the left lane waiting for opposing traffic to turn left is not the safest place for a cyclist and I will often cut over before the light turns green in order to beat the oncoming traffic. Things like this along with a good sense of awareness seem to be the best options for urban cyclists.

i don't "run" red lights... i pause, evaluate, and proceed. :)

i can only add that i make sure i know the traffic pattern first. there are intersections where the opposing lane gets a green first/after my lane so you can use those to your advantage. just know what the traffic pattern is doing.... it rarely changes.

-j

james,

good comment. i would urge all readers however, to maintani a modicum of vigilance in all situations. there are a number of intersecitons with heavy traffic that i commute through on a very frequent basis. my really heart-stopping close calls have all involved my assumption that I knew what was gogin to happen and then someone doing something very unexpected. even if the patterns are dependable and reliable, vigilance on the bike is your best companion.

best,
sg