Triggering traffic signals

I came across a how-to page on triggering traffic signals with bikes.  It has some interesting suggestions. I frequently get stuck at a few near my home.

http://www.wikihow.com/Trigger-Green-Traffic-Lights

I will try some of the positioning techniques over the next few days.  I'm a little skeptical about the magnets, but may try them also (I wouldn't buy them, but have old hard drives that might provide a few.)

You'd think a 700# bike would be big enough on its own...sigh!  
Framistat, PhD, Psychoceramics
(the study of Cracked-Pots)
'07 V-Star 1300 Tourer

Thanks for sharing that article - it's good to know these things. I got one of these lights near my home... what a pain that is.  
2005 Honda Shadow Aero 750C

I had my first experience with this situation today.  I was stopped in the left turn lane and the the sensors didn't detect me waiting there , consequently I didn't get the left turn green light which upset the traffic behind me.  I had to drive passed the stop line and encouraged the car behind me to close up to my rear which activated the light.

Stephanie  
Stephanie
Kingston, Ontario
Canada

Like the article states, look for cut lines in the pavement in the area where you stop, they will be filled in with the black tar sealer, which will give a distinct pattern.

Also, the magnets do work.  
Doug
www.bikerhide.com
Our hides saves yours

South Carolina has taken the worry out of tripping the light at a weighted intersetion.  After waiting for at least two minutes for the light to change, and it doesn't, motorcyclists can proceed thru any intersection at their own risk.  So here, its Right on Red after stop, and now Left or Straight Ahead on Red after waiting two minutes.  It sure makes it interesting sometimes.  Ya'll ride safe.  

HI;I have the magnets velcroed to the bottom of the running boards. They WORK.   I really didn't think thay would. The magnets were only 1$ for two. I have also put the kick stand down on the lines. This also seams to trigger the lites.
Washington ST. just passed a law that if you wait 2 cycles you can go. But the cops can still stop you for going. Just a trick for checking your helmet for DOT and  insurance and indorsment OH and DYI.. Around here the boys in blue  are just checking. They just need some $$$$.. scruffy  

My biggest complaint is the redneck imbeciles that install the systems so poorly that they have to start all over again. When you pull up to a strange light and see two or more complete patterns of lines cut into the pavement... then where do you stop?

...and what about the unmarked new pavement over the sensors? Repaving doesn't stop the sensors from detecting cars, but it does make it impossible to fine tune your position so they also detect your bike.

I only deal with bad sensors once. after that, I go a different route or plan on turning right at that signal. I can always go down the road and do a U-turn if necessary.

The last time I was in a hurry was in 1972. It didn't do me a bit of good then and I'm not going to waste the effort practicing.

regards,
Joe  

Arkansas has also enacted a 2 cycle rule for bikes, while this alleviates the problem I agree with Sloowpoke I make mental notes of problem lights and avoid those areas if at all possible  

It's actually not that the systems are installed poorly (although that is likely true in some cases).  Whenever an upgrade to the entire intersection is done such as replacement of new lights or controllers/cabinets, new detectors are installed.  The problem is, what do you do with the old ones?  Well, they are just disconnected and left since you can't rip them out of the road without repaving the intersection.

For newer signals, at least in Connecticut, if you see more than one set of lines and they are different colors, aim for the black ones.  Those are probably the new or working detectors.  The lines are just cables cut into the road so all you have to do is break the magnetic field.  Unfortunately bikes usually don't have enough metal to do it.

For new paved roads with signals, they either paved over the detector for aesthetics, or the installed a different detector (more bike friendly) that isn't underground.  Try to stay about 2 feet from the edge of the lane when stopped and that should put you right over the wire, or at least close.