Triumphrat

brolane · 10-23-2007

Saturday morning I was riding my Speedmaster to Barber's. I stopped at an intersection with a traffic light governed by weight sensors. I was on a secondary highway waiting to cross a major four-lane. There was a left turn lane to my left. The same lane configuration was on the other side of the highway. I sat through the first cycle of lights during which all other traffic was allowed to move. I reasoned that the weight of my bike didn't activate the sensor. As I was debating on running the light when traffic was clear, a State Trooper pulled up behind me. He was one of the invisible guys. The car was solid black, no visible lights or antennae. He was not wearing a Smokey-The Bear hat nor did he have on a badge. He was clad in a golf shirt with the State Seal on the left chest.

I sat through two more cycles, then decided to take the plunge. As the left turn indicator turned yellow, I crossed the major highway, immediately pulled off the road and awaited the officer.

He told me that the weight sensor was not activated, then asked me why I ran the light when I new he was behind me. I asked about the alternative. He sat behind me for two complete light cycles. Thanks to this web site I had read where some states were required to install sensors that would recognized motorcycles...even bicycles. With that information, I advised him of my knowledge, adding that the failure of the light was the state's fault, not mine. He began smiling, advised me to ride carefully, we shook hands and we left.

How many other states and countries still have antiquated sensors which could be a hazard for motorcyclists? Have any of you encountered a similar problem?

RT · 10-23-2007

Often running around town the sensors will not trip even if two bikes stopped on them. If early in the morning and clear will run the light after the 2nd cycle, never stopped, yet. Should there be two much traffic will turn and do a u-turn back to the crossing and head on my way.

Eyun_G · 10-23-2007

According to all the literature I've heard/read, if you sit through at least 1 full light cycle without the sensor tripping, you can proceed while yielding to traffic that has the right of way. Sometimes on a certain road in town, the lights are timed, and the next one turns red as the one you're sitting at turns green. I've found that there is little cross traffic on this street, so a quick right at the red light, u-turn in the two lane side street and right turn back onto the main road is a way to bypass the super long lights. I wouldn't suggest it with Johnny Law around, but you could always plead you turned down the wrong street, just can't use that excuse too often.

jimballard · 10-23-2007

A simple trick, as long as you've got an electric starter, is to shut the engine off and restart it when you're sitting on the "grid". The magnetic field created by the windings in the motor should "trip" the light.

It seems to work for me: Jim

LoVel · 10-23-2007

I was under the impression that traffic lights were only for cars.

MickMaguire · 10-23-2007

I dunno about weigth sensors, but round here they use inductance sensors easily identyable by the square in the road where they cut the pavement to lay the sensor wire. I have found that the best way to ensure they trip is to put my bik eright on top of the wire as I pull up - they work more reliably (98%) of the time when I do that. If they dont trip I wait a cycle or two before pulling off like you did. Another thing that can help is if there is a car behind you pull right up to the stop line or just over then beckon the driver behind to pull up close, thereby using their car to trip the sensor for you.

2bugeyez · 10-23-2007

I have put my kickstand down on the seam & it seems to do the trick.

daytonacharlie · 10-23-2007

I have one of those light trip magnets mounted on my centerstand and 99.9% of the time this works for me but there is one light near my home that I have to run at least once a week. I've tried everything, sidestand on the wire, roll back and forth over the wire several times and even with the light tripper it won't change. I've been meaning to tell the county traffic works dept. about it but never seem to get around to it.

http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup...E-C6040637328C

dc

LoVel · 10-23-2007

When I come to one I know will not work I slam on the front brake real hard coming to a stop. This has actuall worked before. Make sure you are going straight if you try this method.

airrider03 · 10-23-2007

Looks like a job for the Mythbusters.
I've got two intersections that I know of. I've tried it all...kickstand, lining up with the sensor box...etc.
The only thing that works is ignoring the red light and treat it as a stop sign. I like the "it's the states fault" reasoning.