Traffic Sensors

[Nenna]

What do you guys do about sensors that won't pick up your bike, and thus won't give you a green? Sometimes the start button works for me... but not always. Suggestions?

[LiN Mae]

I learned from the MSF class that you should wait three rounds before SAFELY proceeding to run the red light. I got stuck yesterday twice at lights that would not turn green (in the rain, no less!). Since I felt uncomfortable about gunnin it through a red, I decided to wait until a car rode up to activate the sensors. Luckily in both cases, I didn't have to wait too long...

...then again, I also learned from the class that you must ALWAYS use both the front and rear brakes. But I was advised otherwise...

[Andre Alforque]

BTDT:

http://www.hypercycles.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1790
http://www.hypercycles.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=263

This has worked for me 99% of the time (positioning the tire in the correct place).
http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/signals/detection.htm

Bicycle rims lend themselves well to detection by inductive loop detectors because they provide an excellent conductive loop and are located close to the ground where the loop wires are. By positioning the rims over a straight leg of the loop wire pointed in the same direction (as shown in Figure 2), the magnetic field lines around the wire pass through the profile of the wheels. The integral sum of the magnetic flux density across each wheel's profile determines the induced current around the rim loop and the opposing magnetic field it generates. The larger the area of the wheels in comparison to the area of the sensor loop, and the better the positioning of the wheels to intercept the maximum magnetic flux, the greater the percentage reduction in the sensor loop's inductance. Note that positioning the wheels at a different angle or moving them to either side from the wire reduces their effectiveness.

[DucMonzter750]

Yea... I hate sitting at the light & waiting:whistle: for it to turn green.:red:

I usually wait untill it's clear and safe, then go!:headbang:




* what about the flux capacitor*

[afrothunder]

damn andre!
thanks! that was informative but way to long!
*no i did not read the whole article* ;)

[Andre Alforque]

Originally posted by afrothunder
damn andre!
thanks! that was informative but way to long!
*no i did not read the whole article* ;) McShiggits (http://www.hypercycles.org/forums/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=145) posted up that essay a long time ago. I got around to reading it after a few days when I had time and a cup of coffee. ;)

but yeah, the picture says it all. Just make sure your tires are directly over the lines in the road.

[MatrixChick04]

OK just so you guys know i have asked my teachers and a few cop about this subject. I know they tell you to wait 3 times but just make sure there aren't any cops around, just because they told you to wait it is always concidered running a red light. No matter what some cop will be a **** about this topic. if you need to go a direction and the light doesn't change maybe make a right and flip a B itch down the street. always safer then getting tagged by a car or a cop. always be safe.

[Nenna]

yeah the back brake is fun. um... yeah. i hit it too hard once and locked it up right in front of two cops on the street (it was either brake hard or run a kinda red light, and i was a newbie), and the guy cop yelled at me "use the front brake, it works better!" embarrassing!

[DucMonzter750]

:uhh: I was on ebay and saw this... I wonder if this would work? I'd just go out and get a heavy duty magnet!:uhh:


:shifty: Does anyone have this or has anyone heard of this?:shifty:


The Green Light TriggerTM attaches to the bottom of any bike and helps make the bike more "visible" to traffic signal detectors.
Bikes with Triggers get stuck at red lights far less often than those without.

Simple, safe and effective
Thousands in use all over the US and overseas
Unconditionally guaranteed
The most effective solution on the market
Works on motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, and bicycles

[DucMonzter750]

photo #1

[DucMonzter750]

photo #2

[spy98]

yeah, just buy a magnet at radio shack, and zip tie it to your bike.

Ususally if I get stuck and theres no car coming, I'll jump off the bike and hit the pedestrian button

[Andre Alforque]

Originally posted by DucMonzter750
photo #2 Waste of money. You should really read the essay that was on the link I posted. It addresses the effectiveness of these "boxes" (i.e. not that effective).

As was mentioned, they're basically just strong magnets. You can get these magnets from various places... like an old hard drive that you no longer use.

Most effective is just placing your wheels in the right place -- right over the lines in the ground. If that doesn't work, do the turn-turn-turn.

As also mentioned above: getting off your bike to hit the ped signal is illegal, as is running a red light; no matter what the conditions. If you plan to do this, make sure no cops are around.

[BioHazard]

Originally posted by Andre Alforque
As also mentioned above: getting off your bike to hit the ped signal is illegal, as is running a red light; no matter what the conditions. If you plan to do this, make sure no cops are around. [/B]

I don't think running a red light in this situation is illegal. If you don't get the turn signal after 3 cycles of the light, then you can consider it malfunctioning and make the turn when its safe.

[Andre Alforque]

Originally posted by BioHazard
I don't think running a red light in this situation is illegal. If you don't get the turn signal after 3 cycles of the light, then you can consider it malfunctioning and make the turn when its safe. Trust me, it's illegal. Nowhere in the CVC does it mention it "okay" to run a red light. I believe only one state allows that (Nebraska or some thing). The reason being: the streets in California are fairly well maintained. If you do notice a signal light does not change for you, you're supposed to report it to the city; and then the city is supposed to re-calibrate the sensors or fix if broken. There might be various laws from city to city, but I wouldn't do it in front of a cop.

As a rule of thumb: never do anything questionable in front of a cop or in a busy area -- too many witnesses to kill!

[LIF]

At the MSF classroom, I was told you can go through the red after 3 full cycles. The thing is, if your not being detected, what cycles are the lights going through?
MSF also said that they are weight sensors up to 500 lbs or something.

[blndweasel]

Refer to this post: http://hypercycles.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1790

In CA, all traffic sensors are EM induction type, that's electro-magnetic for all you non-geeks out there.

Here's the money shot: http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/signals/detection.htm

** warning: heavy use of scientific lingo, jargon **

[BrandonC]

Theres a signal in front of my buddies house that I cant get to trip no matter what I've done. I just go straight through the signal and flip a u at the next signal.

[r1brip]

If the traffic is lite I will just run the red if Ive hit a few cycles. I think a cop would understand if he busts you for it, it seems like a valid excuse

[JC039]

By the book it is a ticket. No matter how many cycles you have been waiting.
But in California there is "Spirit of the law" and "Letter of the law" and police officers are trained to abide by the spirit of the law in anything other than Felonies.

So if you get pulled over and calmy explain the situation the officer should let you go.
Because the spirit of the law is to keep intersections safe and if you have been waiting your turn then it is understandable if you proceed through in a safe manner.

Now if he still gives you a ticket then he's a prick and you can just go to court on it and pretty much win. I'd like to see the police officers face as the judge questions him asking him why he thought he should give you a ticket for running a red light after you had waited a few cycles and saw that it was safe to go. The judge will go with the spirit of the law.

Also, police officers know their beat so I am sure they are aware of the traffic signals that give vehicles trouble.

[Jelco]

putting a magnet under your bike is the best way to go. i got two magnets off of a hard drive. it was a pain to get it out because i didnt have the right tool. it was an old hard drive, these magnets are very strong. they accidently got attached to each other and it took me awhile to seperate them. i put one on the outside of the fairing and one inside, right under my headers. this has worked for me. sometimes i have to roll over the sensor a few times, but the light does turn green.

[brownbrown4]

the night before yesturday i was at a red light late and there were not any cars to be seen. a car came at another turn and got green :( so i waited2 cycles........ :whistle: . time to go i said. a car was coming in the direction of the already green light. i went... as i looked back i saw the headlights getting closer....oh damn its a copper:pray: ..BUT he followed for a few yards checked my speed and then drove by..
not to mention i had my Blue leds on.

[JohnTL1]

:uhh: I was on ebay and saw this... I wonder if this would work? I'd just go out and get a heavy duty magnet!:uhh:


:shifty: Does anyone have this or has anyone heard of this?:shifty:


The Green Light TriggerTM attaches to the bottom of any bike and helps make the bike more "visible" to traffic signal detectors.
Bikes with Triggers get stuck at red lights far less often than those without.

Simple, safe and effective
Thousands in use all over the US and overseas
Unconditionally guaranteed
The most effective solution on the market
Works on motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, and bicycles
I had one of those on my VFR and it seemed to work pretty well.That is untill my exhaust melted the plastic casing.I had it zip tied to the centerstand.

[deno]

sorry officer, I have no brakes.


works every time. :D

[ssoulssurfer]

I actually noticed tonight when I was riding home (late at night), there was a couple of course that didn't turn. I was trying several different methods for once to see what I could do. What I found on two of them (both left turns), that when I slowed into the lane and grabbed the front brake close to the lines, it seemed to work. Also, when that didn't work, I would just rock back and forth a bit, seemed to work. Another thing, when I took that MSF course, this guy mentioned about how turning the bike off and putting the kickstand down, restarting with the k/stand down, trips the magnetic current. Haven't really tested this before though...