The Chainlink

The main thing those crosswalk timers end up doing is making me going through the intersection at full speed with less than a second left.

The crosswalk timers, by now I can tell if I can make it through an intersection or not even if this means I am going nearly as fast as I can.  I don't think this is safe, even if I have the light this still isn't the place to be racing, cars are still going to take a right turn and pull into my path.  I know intellectually that I have to stop doing this but when I'm half a block away and see 11 on the timer I can't resist.  It's thrilling in a way that LFT never is.

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Actually, I find them useful. I use them both while driving and cycling. Many times I will stop pedaling or come off the gas if I know I will not get to the intersection in time at the speed I'm going.

Though, I was never one of those people that speeds up when the light turn yellow.

I know intellectually that I have to stop doing this but when I'm half a block away and see 11 on the timer I can't resist.

This is called a lack of self control. It means you're unpredictable and that makes you a danger.

It's more the element of competition, the race against the clock.

I hope that you are not stopped only by being hit or causing an accident.

I can't be the only person that does this, the silent majority of crosswalk timer racers.  We are out there.

If you're planning to run or jump a light (or stop sign) on the bike you shouldn't be doing it under circumstances where anyone with the right of way has to slow, stop or wait for you.

I love the timers, particularly downtown, because they help determine if it's going to be safe or worthwhile to filter between cars to the front of an intersection. No sense passing a bunch of cars if they're all going to be passing you again in a moment.

Like Tom Z, I find them useful. Their presence also causes me to have even less sympathy for drivers who block the box. ;)

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