Cyclists should be allowed to ride through red lights, declares leading Scottish cycling figure

Gregory Kinsman-Chauvet, founder of the Glasgow-based cycling body Bike for Good, said Scotland should follow the lead of countries like France where riders can legally pass red lights at specially-marked junctions after giving way to pedestrians and other vehicles. It effectively makes them “Give Way” signs for riders, who can proceed if the junction is clear and it is safe.

Red lights are already widely ignored by cyclists in Scottish cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh but other bike groups rejected the proposal.

Kinsman-Chauvet told Scotland on Sunday: "After reading various studies proving that removing the obligation for cyclists to stop at red lights increased safety, I decided to test it myself. In Paris and Lyon last autumn I had the opportunity to experience this and quickly felt much safer on the road.

"At junctions, motor vehicles knew they had to prioritise cyclists and were more cautious. I was not stuck in traffic any more, I was part of the solution. It is time to change mindsets.

"Due to our health and climate crisis, we must re-prioritise our cities. It is time to give back priority to cyclists and pedestrians over cars.”

A Deliveroo rider in Edinburgh told Scotland on Sunday this month: “Running a red light can be exceptionally dangerous, particularly taking an amber gamble just as lights are changing to red. There are, however, numerous times when there are no cars in sight and riding through a red light is safe and has zero effect on any other party.”