Readers have responded to Simon Jenkins' article admitting to cycling through red lights, challenging his justification and highlighting the dangers of such behaviour. Gary Ogin of London argues that Jenkins misinterprets Hans Monderman's "shared space" philosophy, which was never about allowing individuals to pick and choose which laws to follow.
Shared space philosophy misunderstood
Ogin explains that Monderman's concept involved removing infrastructure to force collective cooperation, eye contact, and mutual caution among road users. He contends that when cyclists ignore this negotiation process, vulnerable pedestrians are left unprotected, and the psychological balance collapses.
"Freedom without universal accountability isn't shared space. It is just a system that rewards the most aggressive road user," Ogin writes. He points to London's Exhibition Road as an example, where high-profile shared-space implementations faced fierce backlash and were reversed, and notes that the UK government eventually halted new level-surface shared-space projects.
Cyclists and motorists speak out
Peter Anderson from Barwick-in-Elmet, West Yorkshire, offers a different perspective as a lifelong cyclist. He welcomes red lights as opportunities for unplanned fartlek training, track stand practice, and rest breaks. Anderson suggests that Jenkins' "anarchic behaviour" and justification do little to help cyclists' cause.
Edward Collier from Cheltenham, who rides a bike, a motorbike, and drives a car, states that he stops at red lights on all three. He argues that cyclists who ignore traffic lights contribute to growing antagonism towards cyclists in general, adding, "Simon Jenkins should know better."
Personal accidents highlight risks
Joan Grabham from Cambridge shares two personal incidents. Four years ago, aged 83, she was knocked down by a young man on a bike, suffering a damaged wrist; the rider rode away quickly after checking she wasn't dead. In April this year, aged 87, she was knocked down on a pedestrian crossing by a black ebike, resulting in a deep leg wound that required police, ambulance, and hospital treatment. Four months later, the leg is still being treated, and the rider rode off after ensuring she wasn't dead.
Grabham concludes with a direct message to Jenkins: "Shame on you, Simon Jenkins." The letters reflect a broader concern that ignoring red lights undermines road safety and public trust in cyclists.
