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Automatic Traffic Lights
Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 5:37 am
by Big B
wondering if anyone else has run into this, maybe i'm invisible.
i've noticed that when i pull up to a stoplight with the automatic sensors (trigger the left arrow when someone's in the left turn lane) that several times when i'm in the straight lane, the light basically ignores me (stays red). this has happened even though i've pulled up to (and sometimes a little over) the white line.
dunno, maybe wisconsin stoplights suck
Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 5:47 am
by t_bonee
I get it all the time. I either:
1. Hope a cage comes up behind me and creep up so they can get some car on it to trip it.
2. Go right on red and turn around someplace.
3. Wait through 2 or 3 light cycles and if no one is around or coming, blow the light.
You can also try putting down your side stand or putting the bike in neutral and on the sidestand then running over to push the walk button if there is one.
Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 5:53 am
by KarateChick
I remember a fairly long thread/post about this very thing, maybe about a year ago but darn, I don't have time to look for it. Maybe someone else will remember where it is and link it to here....
Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 6:17 am
by The Grinch
Look for the markings on the road where the road crews made the cuts to install the sensors. The sensor patterns are usually square or circular. Move your bike so that most of its mass is over one of the sensor lines.
Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 12:53 pm
by Myself002
XM23 wrote:Look for the markings on the road where the road crews made the cuts to install the sensors. The sensor patterns are usually square or circular. Move your bike so that most of its mass is over one of the sensor lines.
i tired that the other day... didnt work to well haha
Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 2:38 pm
by BigChickenStrips
in TN if you wait 3 cycles of the light you can legally run it on a bike.
THIS IS ONLY IN TENNESSEE AND MAYBE A FEW OTHER STATES THOUGH!!!
i just hope for a car behind me or a break in traffic where i can go. if its super-low traffic like 6AM on a sunday morning, i just stop, look both ways a few times, and run the light.
Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 2:43 pm
by dieziege
Around here it is mainly a problem with old intersections... the intersection closest to my house (put in two years ago) triggers perfectly every time... other sensors don't ever seem to trigger no matter how you position the bike.
The smart solution is to only turn right.

Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 2:59 pm
by NorthernPete
Beh, if I sit there long enough...Im blowing it... not if theres a cop around, but if its clear...
Although the right on red is probably the better choice...
three right turns will get you left....
Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 3:34 pm
by Kal
It's International.
Sadly a few of the lights that do it to me are equiped with Red light cameras... Leading to a fine if you do go through them.
Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 4:27 pm
by snwbrdr
i have more than once hopped off my bike and run across the street to hit the crosswalk button. once when i did it i got pulled over for it. the cop was on the other side of the intersection in a gas station and thought i had stashed something.