By Gunnar Schupelius
Gunnar Schupelius believes that those who sit in the saddle like to pretend to be members of a persecuted minority who have to defend themselves every step of the way.
When there are cars in line at the red light, cyclists will pass to the right or left and then line up in front of the first waiting car.
They stand there until the traffic light turns green. Then there’s trouble: the bikes start slower than the cars, they ride next to each other or turn off. As a result, drivers cannot accelerate and drive on as they had planned.
Motorcyclists have picked up this bad habit. They don’t queue at the end of the queue either, but drive past the cars and cut in directly in front of the traffic lights. They are faster when starting, but they emit unpleasant exhaust fumes that get in the drivers’ noses.
But back to the bikes: is it actually allowed to pass the waiting cars? Yes, bicycles are even allowed to overtake on the right.
The road traffic regulations say in § 5, paragraph 8: “If there is sufficient space, cyclists and moped drivers may overtake vehicles waiting in the right lane at moderate speed and with particular caution on the right.”
That’s where the problems start: who says there’s “sufficient space” to overtake? The cyclists think that even the smallest gap is sufficient and push past the cars. This is dangerous. On the other hand, there are drivers who deliberately pull far to the right so that the bicycles have a hard time overtaking on the right.
The road traffic regulations probably allow overtaking in front of the traffic lights. However, it does not provide for bicycles and motorcycles to line up in front of the waiting cars. This is only permitted if an area on the road is reserved and marked for it.
These so-called “installation areas” are also available at a few intersections in Berlin. There, the lane directly in front of the traffic light is painted red and has a pictogram showing a bicycle.
Here, the cyclist should “align themselves to the left, center or right”, depending on “the direction in which they want to continue”, writes the ADAC. For example, “visual relationships with turning drivers should be improved”.
These “set-up areas” ensure safety, especially for the cyclists. Motorists are at a disadvantage because, as already mentioned, they are prevented from continuing their journey quickly.
In general, it is a matter of mood how cyclists and drivers get along with each other at the intersection. And it’s heated up: Those who sit in the saddle like to pretend to be members of a persecuted minority that is constantly in danger and has to defend themselves every meter of the way.
Therefore, the cyclists demonstratively drive past the waiting cars and stand in front of them at the traffic lights. The gesture says, “Me first, now it’s my turn.”
If the car drivers then react angrily, the cyclists take this reaction as further proof of their being disadvantaged on the road.
Pushing is always unpleasant and is never allowed anywhere, neither in the supermarket, nor at the outdoor pool, in the cinema or on the street. You learn that as a child.
Anyone who hasn’t learned it and rides a bicycle and likes to jostle at traffic lights should study the road traffic regulations again. There it says in § 1, paragraph 2: “Anyone who participates in traffic must behave in such a way that no other (…) is hindered or bothered.” There is nothing to add.
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