Caph
. I wait in line with traffic at lights taking up the whole lane
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In most cases I try to avoid stopping altogether slowing well in advance and sneaking up to the lights. My short legs mean if I stop I have to dismount or fall over.
Flecc
. on the traffic lights I'm thoroughly familiar with, I take off at near the end of the red phase after the traffic in the cross direction has stopped and at the end of any pedestrian phase
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Pre-judging the lights works (for me sometimes) especially, when the driver is on holiday, as I can gauge the lights better. Not so good with the locals as they tend to move quicker and pre-empt the lights as well
Moon
. cycling really shouldn't be this dangerous
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If that worries you dont try West Country roads. Roads here were most likely built along ancient cart ways and probably modernised in designed (at some point in the ancient past) to take 1950s size cars and lorries. If you cycle here you must be prepared to have oversized cars, 4x4s, lorries, tractors and buses pass within inches (not feet) of you at 30 mph to 70 mph - as a norm. Some even brush you but you get used to it after a while.
PS: I can no longer watch the traffic behind me in my mirror while Im cycling, it stress me up too much if they pass me they missed me
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