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!  

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.  

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