Lazy Traffic Lights

Do any you guys have problems with traffic lights not registering you and hence not switching?  I sat at a complete empty intersection for toooo long waiting for a rotation before just going for it.  This happens every now and then to me.

Happens to me often. I run them. No patience. Haven't been stopped yet for doing so.

The only thing I could find is when a light isn't working correctly it is to be treated like a stop sign, etc.

[image: View Post]Knife, on 16 October 2011 - 04:25 PM, said:

Happens to me often. I run them. No patience. Haven't been stopped yet for doing so.
I don't imagine a streetcop would but it is the cameras I am worried about!

I've occasionally jumped off the bike, run over to the pedestrian button, then jumped back on the bike to catch the green. Other times I have ridden the bike onto the footpath for the same effect. I once got stuck for a few minutes, so I rolled forward and gestured for the 4WD driver behind me to roll forward over the sensor. The female driver was rather perplexed, then the penny dropped. I haven't run a red yet. Too many cameras and cops seem to be there when you expect them least.

The ghetto solution for this is to put your sidestand down on the wires.  Usually you can see them as lines cut into the tarmac.  The sidestand is steel so it guarantees tripping the inductive loop.

FYI - When Visiting NC.  Three minutes.

http://www.ncga.stat...ML/S1359v6.html

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2007

SESSION LAW 2007-260

SENATE BILL 1359

AN ACT to allow the operator of a motorcycle to proceed through an intersection controlled by a traffic signal only if the traffic signal uses an inductive loop vehicle sensor that activates the traffic signal and the inductive loop fails to detect the motorcycle and activate the traffic signal.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1. G.S. 20‑158 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"§ 20‑158. Vehicle control signs and signals.
…
(e) Defense. – It shall be a defense to a violation of sub-subdivision (b)(2)a. of this section if the operator of a motorcycle, as defined in G.S. 20‑4.01(27)d., shows all of the following:
(1) The operator brought the motorcycle to a complete stop at the intersection or stop bar where a steady red light was being emitted in the direction of the operator.
(2) The intersection is controlled by a vehicle actuated traffic signal using an inductive loop to activate the traffic signal.
(3) No other vehicle that was entitled to have the right-of-way under applicable law was sitting at, traveling through, or approaching the intersection.
(4) No pedestrians were attempting to cross at or near the intersection.
(5) The motorcycle operator who received the citation waited a minimum of three minutes at the intersection or stop bar where the steady red light was being emitted in the direction of the operator before entering the intersection."

SECTION 2. This act becomes effective December 1, 2007, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 12th day of July, 2007.


s/ Beverly E. Perdue
President of the Senate


s/ Joe Hackney
Speaker of the House of Representatives


s/ Michael F. Easley
Governor


Approved 9:00 p.m. this 23rd day of July, 2007

The loop is more sensitive at the corners.  I used to cut them and set up the electronics.

[image: View Post]gr8vfr, on 16 October 2011 - 09:26 PM, said:

FYI - When Visiting NC.  Three minutes.

That all sounds great except the 3 minute part, that could be 4-5 cycles through the lights. I don't have the patience, 1 cycle and it doesn't pick me up and I go through. I'd be happy to argue it in court but haven't been pulled over yet. Around town you learn where to sit on the intersections that do pick you up, on the ones that never do I wait one cycle then go through.

There's only one that I've ever had a consistent problem with. Either I wait a few cycles and run it (which I can legally do in OR) or I pull forward and get the guy behind me to trip it. It's always interesting to see the drivers reaction when I start motioning them to pull forward. I've also done the crosswalk button trick but it doesn't work when you're trying to trigger the light for a protected turn.

-Jake

[image: View Post]Monk, on 16 October 2011 - 04:53 PM, said:

The only thing I could find is when a light isn't working correctly it is to be treated like a stop sign, etc.
Not too long ago I read in the paper that in VA, you have to wait 2 minutes before it should be treated like a stop sign. Just an FYI.

Three minutes does seem like a long time to wait.  Any idea what the requisite time is for california?  

Last resort, wear a full metal suit, get off the bike and lay down at every intersection :laugh:

The light at the intersection leaving our neighorhood would not recognize my VFR so I called my local county road and bridge department and told them of my problem. Three days later I got a call back from them saying that they had adjusted the sensor and to let them know if the problem continued. I have not had a problem there since!

THANK YOU JEFFERSON COUNTY ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT!!!!!

get some powerful magnets then glue and ziptie them the INSIDE of your fairings.. at the very bottom, makes a huge difference.

I am just pointing out that three minutes is the law in NC...
No one sits there for three minutes. But if you are visiting our area as many of you do for T-Mac,
when you get to the red light an sit there for that long twenty seconds and then go...
If a cop sees you, just say, "I sat there for three minutes."

I keep the senate bill number in my wallet, I have heard the some PoPo do not know the laws.
But tickets usually are not written in WNC for minor crap like that.
Most cops ride with the exception of the NCHP.

If it goes a full cycle without changing, I just run it. We don't have red light cameras around here, so it's not an issue. I've heard of the sidestand trick, but forgot about it. I'll try to remember it for next time. And of course, they sell some magnets that are designed to do the same thing. But I'll try the kickstand before I spend any money.

Albuquerque lights are pretty good about picking up bikes since so many people use them here.  On base is a different story.  I wait until there is no traffic and I am "clear" of any LEO and then go should I wait too long at a particular light.

The 120 second wait here in Va. is long enough! I really don't like running the lights but, I do.

Happens here quite a bit. My rule is to wait one full cycle, then go if it's still empty. I also waived a car behind me to move up and he looked confused as well. I don't understand how people can be so oblivious. Bike in front? Light not changing? Uh....do the maths.

Or, kickstand down. It works.

my riding friends used to look at me weird when I did the side stand thing but now they have all adopted it too. When I was scooter commuting I got good enough that I could drag my Ruckus center stand with my left foot as i came to a stop to trip the lights, the noise did surprise pedestrians though.

Most of the loos are circles here in Oregon.  When I see them in the street, I pull up on one side and come to a stop with my crankcase right over the line.  It the loop is in a square pattern, I stop on the corners.  I have had trouble a couple of times and ran the light after a couple cycles.

This happens to me pretty often on one route I ride on. Not much can be done about it at this particular intersection, either I pray someone shows up on the other side to trigger the switch (cause its generally a pretty busy road to cross) or I just pull the good ol' N.E. right on red and turn around somewhere down the road. Takes a little time but a little time means more time in the saddle, so I can't complain about that I guess :laugh:

-Mike

[image: View Post]TheWarrior17, on 07 November 2011 - 11:03 PM, said:

Takes a little time but a little time means more time in the saddle, so I can't complain about that I guess :laugh:

-Mike

Can't complain there but San Diego lights seem to want to switch ever 500 minutes or so

It happens mostly when I'm in the left turn lane. One time I did the kickstand trick while in gear and the bike shut off. The wife, who was my passenger, panicked..."What Happened?, What's wrong?, Why did it stop?". I had to explain what I was doing and why the motor suddenly shut off when we got home. I too wonder what the wait time is in CA. Maybe a google will produce the answer. If I find out I'll let you all know.

[image: View Post]gll429, on 17 October 2011 - 01:04 AM, said:

get some powerful magnets then glue and ziptie them the INSIDE of your fairings.. at the very bottom, makes a huge difference.

http://www.greenligh...om/trigger.html

[image: View Post]kaldek, on 08 November 2011 - 03:23 AM, said:

http://www.greenligh...om/trigger.html

Good Idea. Where would one mount something like this?

-Mike

[image: View Post]TheWarrior17, on 08 November 2011 - 10:00 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kaldek, on 08 November 2011 - 03:23 AM, said:

http://www.greenligh...om/trigger.html

Good Idea. Where would one mount something like this?
Centrestand crossbrace, so they say.

I see the problem all the time.  Most of the lights in town won't register the VFR.  I have tried the magnet mounted on the bottom of the fairing, the kickstand trick, trying to line up in the corners, on the line and in the middle.  Nothing seems to work 100% of the time.  If there is no other traffic to trip the signal, I just go on the red when its safe to do so.  I don't think there is much else you can do.  I have not had any issues with police but if stopped I would just claim the light is malfunctioning.

[image: View Post]TheWarrior17, on 08 November 2011 - 10:00 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kaldek, on 08 November 2011 - 03:23 AM, said:

http://www.greenligh...om/trigger.html

Good Idea. Where would one mount something like this?

-Mike

Mike,
I have one if you want.  It came on the VFR when I bought it.  It was mounted under the MC at the bottom of the fairing using the tie wrap.  The previous owner drilled two small holes at the bottom of the fairing for the tie wrap.

The light by my work will never change for me when I leave.  Usually I wait till there are no cars and run it, or a car comes up behind me and trips it.  Its weird because going the other direction the light will detect my bike and change the light.  I even put a strong magnet out of a hard drive at the bottom of my fairing, but that particular light will not catch it.

I've also had good luck with other lights by hitting the starter button,  but this light is really stubborn and is immune to all my tricks.