Many cities are putting in new cycling facilities– successfully attracting new riders.
As I think about all the things that we cyclists can do to improve their image– stopping at a red light seems the most visible and by extension the most powerful.
Our image among the cycling community is one of “rogue” users. And of all the laws that are the most emblematic of this it’s stopping at lights.
Here’s a radical proposition– for those on the fence about stopping at Reds– consider that the best time to stop at a red is when there are the most people watching me. The synergy there is that I’m making a statement to the broadest possible audience. Furthermore, stopping just might encourage a few other cyclists to stop– increasing the spectacle of cyclists being nice.
I look forward to your thoughts!
