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- Cyclist Simon Jenkins admits to frequently running red lights in London.
- He blames the city's chaotic traffic laws and road conditions for this behaviour.
- Jenkins argues that the essence of cycling is movement, which is hindered by current regulations.
- He observes other cyclists also disregarding red lights due to frustration.
- Jenkins advocates for fewer, not more, traffic rules to improve the cycling experience.
A long-time user of London's streets, Simon Jenkins, admits to frequently cycling through red lights, attributing the behaviour not to personal disregard for the law, but to the increasingly bureaucratic and chaotic nature of traffic regulations. Jenkins, who has navigated the city as a cyclist, driver, and pedestrian without incident, finds himself "perpetually on the wrong side of the law." He highlights the frustration of driving at the legally permitted 20mph on many roads, only to be aggressively overtaken by larger vehicles. This, he argues, creates an environment where cyclists, feeling like second-class citizens, are driven to disregard traffic signals.
The core philosophy of cycling, Jenkins contends, is to maintain momentum. However, London's congested and often poorly managed road network actively hinders this. He observes that while he dutifully waits at traffic lights, he is often "jostled by swarms of cyclists riding through on red," a reaction born from the perceived unfairness of being treated like a car driver. Jenkins' proposed solution is not to introduce more rules, but rather to simplify and reduce the existing bureaucratic tangle that makes navigating the city a constant challenge for all road users.