The Red Light That Didn't See Me

[lecruz]

Hi there again! I have a question, but here's the backstory first. I approached a red light, with no other cars around me, and it didn't turn green. I probably waited for a good 3-5 minutes before giving up and turning right. I actually returned to the same light to see what would happen, and of course it still didn't turn green! This is the first time it's happened at a stop light. The others usually acknowledge me and turn green for me :lol:.

So my questions are: Does this happen to you often? What do you do about it? Always take another route? Just blow past it?

Thanks TWF!

[ridingAK]

It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. In some cases putting your kickstand down, and/or restarting the bike will cause the trigger to register you. The laws vary from state to state, most have a provision that if you wait through two cycles of the light, or wait 3-4 minutes at lights that don't cycle, you may treat it as a non-functioning light and proceed through as if it were a flashing red.

[Astir]

This has a pretty good explanation.

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

There is one light in particular that never sees me on my way to work. Even putting down the center stand. Luckily most mornings I don't have to sit through more than one or two lights before somebody shows up and triggers the light for me. I should try putting a magnet on my side or center stand... that would be an interesting experiment.

[theWolfTamer]

The magnets don't work.

If it's a light you have to go through often, call the locals and explain the light doesn't see you. They can adjust the sensitivity of the sensors so that it does. I got lucky because they were working on the light when I rode by on my motorcycle. The light I used to have problems with I don't any more.

[Astir]

The magnets don't work.

If it's a light you have to go through often, call the locals and explain the light doesn't see you. They can adjust the sensitivity of the sensors so that it does. I got lucky because they were working on the light when I rode by on my motorcycle. The light I used to have problems with I don't any more.

Good to know, thanks theWolfTamer! :thumbup:

[Gitana]

If there's no other traffic around, I just go through the light. I'm generally law-abiding, but not overly patient.

[FJRider]

I wait for a while and then go through it. The ones that I go through all of the time I call in and make complaints till they fix them

[Tractor]

If there is a cross walk, run over and push the walk button.

[kari-star]

If there's no other traffic around, I just go through the light. I'm generally law-abiding, but not overly patient.

in NYS there is a traffic law (I think) that allows motorcyclists to go through a light that isn't changing after waiting a certain amount of time. you should check, there is probably one for WA too!

[LittleRedRider]

If there is a cross walk, run over and push the walk button.

Just make sure the bike is securely on the stand and not uphill/downhill - the hubby tried that and the bike fell over :redface1:

[ridingAK]

I just researched WA law. It appears that there is a bill pending that would allow us to treat a light that does not detect as inoperative, or essentially as a stop sign.

[VStar]

I have never heard of a law that lets bikes go through an 'unseeing' light, I'll have to check this out for Ohio, unless someone already knows. I usually just turn right or try to find the sensor plate on the road and run over it.