Red Light Question

[RRandawg]

I know this happens to all of us and I hate it. When you encounter a red light that doesn't turn green on on you, what do you guys do? I end up running it after 2 cycles. Will Mr. PoPo let this fly? Is there any other alternative besides running the light?

[RayDOActive]

i usually run it too, but im going to be checking one of these out soon:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4563497739&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

hope it works. as for one-time, dunno if they'll let it slide. sometimes if i can swing it at a 4 way stop, i'll cut to the right, bust a uey, and try out the sensor on that side. usually works out.

[deathblow]

i usually run it too, but im going to be checking one of these out soon:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4563497739&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

hope it works. as for one-time, dunno if they'll let it slide. sometimes if i can swing it at a 4 way stop, i'll cut to the right, bust a uey, and try out the sensor on that side. usually works out.


That is just a magnet. Just by a cheap magnet at Radio Shack and tape in to the bottom of your fairings, on the inside of course. An friend bought one of those and it didn't do crap.

[LiN Mae]

The light on Paradise Valley Rd. / Jamacha Blvd. off the 125 doesn't change unless there are cars to trigger the light. Usually, I get stuck if I get home late at night and I end up running the light after a couple of cycles. If I'm in an area other than that, I usually try to find another way around the stubborn light.

[RRandawg]

That is just a magnet. Just by a cheap magnet at Radio Shack and tape in to the bottom of your fairings, on the inside of course. An friend bought one of those and it didn't do crap.

So this magent method works? How big of a magnet do you need?

[Jelco]

randy, i used the magnet off of a hard drive. they're very strong. i used two, one on the inside fairing and one underneath to hold it on. seems to work for me. im sure you can use any magnet, the stronger the magnet the better. the sensors in the street differ in sensitivity. i try and roll over the sensors, they are usually marked by a black outline of an octagon.

if this fails- sometimes you gotta run the red.

[BioHazard]

Try going into neutral and touching the kickstand down, it usually works for me. However, after 3 cycles of the light I think it is considered malfunctioning and you can run it.

[teamgreenzx7r]

Usually I try and remember the spot to stop. But if the light doesn't turn green after 2 to 3 cycles I run it. I've some of the guys get off the bike and press the button for walking..

[afrothunder]

what i recall from the MSF course is that...
if you're there for at least 5 mins, and the light still does not turn green...
you're legally allowed to run the red light in a safe manner.

[nyburner]

5 mins? hell no, thats way too long.

i heard somewhere that the ignition switch will trigger the light sensor. it usually works for me [ie- left turn lane on la jolla vill dr. onto town centre dr.] not sure if it works for carbed bikes though...

[afrothunder]

5 mins? hell no, thats way too long.

i heard somewhere that the ignition switch will trigger the light sensor. it usually works for me [ie- left turn lane on la jolla vill dr. onto town centre dr.] not sure if it works for carbed bikes though...um, i'm not saying you have to wait that long...
but thats what you tell the popo if he pulls you over. :rolleyes:

"i waited for 5 mins. offi-ma-cer!"

[nyburner]

yea, i know what you meant. i was just sayin thats not a very realistic expectation. my rule of thumb is the same as many others....two cycles and then im out. most cops are surprisingly understanding about this issue.

*i talked my way out of yet another traffic citation last night. go me.

[TreAdidas]

Well I was at the police station back in Ohio and thought well since I'm here I might as well ask baout the red light thing.... So The verdict for the Cincinnati Police Department is that if the light goes through two cycles without letting you through then the traffic signal is malfunctioning and provided it is safe, you are allowed to run it.

Two cycles and I'm out... :werd:

[Dissident]

Hmm, tried to find the vehicle code on google and founf another thread on here with the same subject... http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=9&q=http://hypercycles.org/forums/printthread.php%3Ft%3D3451&e=9797

I try and stay toward the sides of the loop to I have more bike over the wire. If that doesn't work, I usually blip my starter, and after that, I just run it. Ok, ok, I usually just run it.

I can't find any CVC wording about it, although I vaguely remember reading something about it in the motorcycle book, but I did find a similar law in other states...
NEW MINNESOTA RED LIGHT LAW


Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 169.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: Subd. 9. [AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE RELATING TO UNCHANGING TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL.]


(a) A person operating a motorcycle who violates subdivision 4 by entering or crossing an intersection controlled by a traffic-control signal against a red light has an affirmative defense to that charge if the person establishes all of the following conditions:


(1) the motorcycle has been brought to a complete stop;

(2) the traffic-control signal continues to show a red light for an unreasonable time;

(3) the traffic-control signal is apparently malfunctioning or, if programmed or engineered to change to a green light only after detecting the approach of a motor vehicle, the signal has apparently failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle; and

(4) no motor vehicle or person is approaching on the street or highway to be crossed or entered or is so far away from the intersection that it does not constitute an immediate hazard.


(b) The affirmative defense in this subdivision applies only to a violation for entering or crossing an intersection controlled by a traffic-control signal against a red light and does not provide a defense to any other civil or criminal action.

[Unstealth Ninja]

I bought one of those magnet things...it worked for a while and then fell off, i put it back on and it doesnt want to work anymore... Happened to me today, was getting on the onramp in the carpool lane of course, passed everyone got to the light and a no go, so everyone started passing me up so I was like WTF? Then when it was supposed to be my turn I said F*#$ it and just went. Didnt see any cops... :thumbsup:

[pgold21]

I tried the Grren Light Trigger and got poor results. I ended up taping the magnet off an old speaker to the bottom of the bike. Works a little better but still not perfect.

[mcrides]

I know this happens to all of us and I hate it. When you encounter a red light that doesn't turn green on on you, what do you guys do? I end up running it after 2 cycles. Will Mr. PoPo let this fly? Is there any other alternative besides running the light?

As others have mentioned, if the light doesn't change after 2 cycles, it means it's not recognizing you. That would be considered a malfunction.

After 2 cycles, you can proceed with caution if you can do it safely ie not if you are cutting off other traffic who have the green.

Most officers will understand that. It's the municipality's responsibility to provide a traffic light that recognizes registered, road-going vehicles. It's not your responsibility to make it
work.

I've never had a problem.


http://pages.videotron.com/mcrides

[MatrixChick04]

However, after 3 cycles of the light I think it is considered malfunctioning and you can run it.

what i recall from the MSF course is that...
if you're there for at least 5 mins, and the light still does not turn green...
you're legally allowed to run the red light in a safe manner.

well i have asked my friends and teachers this question plenty of times before. they all say "no matter what it is still runnning a red light" :squid: . if you run it they can still pop you for running that light, but thats not the spirt of the law. not ever cop will be following the letter of the law. i suggest if try making a right hand turn and getting around it that way. then your not breaking the law.

[Cyanide41]

If you tell the cop or judge (hopefuly not) that you sat there for 3 cycles and that light would not change, they usually understand. The main thing, is to make sure it is safe.

[GixxerDemon55]

I usually run it after a couple of cycles. I remember hearing a couple of police officers that ride sportbikes say they run it too if the light doesn't change. I sometimes get off the bike and push the cross walk button to make the light turn green (WestView & Black Mountain Rd)

[lovinit]

2 Cycles? I say just run it if it's taking too long on the first cycle. Sometimes I just run them cause there's no cars around and the light is stupid. Usually on lights that I know suck, I watch for the pigs, and then just go when its clear. It's a little bad, cause then I just started doing the same thing in my car once in a while. But I keep it safe :)

BTW, the light is triggered by a coil of wire that is laid down under the pavement. Electricity is run through the wire, which produces an electromagnetic flux, which changes when there are metallic objects and especially magnets in the vicinity, which slightly changes the current in the wire. Some lights are sensitive enough to where your bike won't trigger them, but if you roll the bike back and forth, then you change the field enough to trigger the light. Also, sometimes you can actually see the rings in the pavement, and then the best place to put the bike is not in the center of the ring, but on the edge so half of the bike is in and half is out. And it makes sense if a starter would trigge the light, because the solenoid coil for the starter is a big magnet. But I just run the light after one cycle if i ever have to. Unless there are cameras, of course.

[stangbaby67]

Old topic, but a new rider.. Just picked up my first bike this weekend, and tried researching the red light question online. The only thing I could find was a law in Tennessee that allowed motorcyclists to run the red. Instead of guessing, I called the local PD and talked to the watch commander. He said it's never legal to run the red light (in Cali, at least), unless the light is clearly malfunctioning. He rides bikes, and advised to stick closer to the edges of the sensor pads where you can see the seams, and the lights should always change. If not, he said to go with right turns/U-turns, or going and pushing the ped X button.

[brownbrown4]

law is 2 cycles. i wait one on the lights i know wont change. did the 2 cycle wait it with a cop coming from my right with the green light ( i saw him and he was far) . and he just drove right past me. it was night , i know he saw me he was only 100 or so yards away and i was under a few street lights with a bunch of Blue LEDS shining under my bike.

[stangbaby67]

Maybe San Diego PD is nicer than Santa Barbara. Our cops aren't known for being nice too often.

[sersalaz]

when in doubt (and going straight) make a right, flip a bytch and right again.

going left, make a right and flip the bytch again.

......who am I kidding, I run the SOB!!!!

[mr01000101]

No clear answer, but does discuss the issue:
http://www.ducatigirl.com/california/dmv_b_roulette.html#nogreen
I remember the instructor from my MSF class saying that it's okay to proceed through a red light that isn't sensing your motorcycle, as long as (1) you have waited through "two cycles" of the signal, and (2) it is safe to do so.
That instructor also said that if a cop does happen to pull you over, just say that "I waited through two cycles of the traffic signal without it changing for me, then proceeded through the intersection once it was safe to do so."
Supposedly if you present this excuse, an officer won't (shouldn't) cite you for running the light.

[stangbaby67]

No clear answer, but does discuss the issue:
http://www.ducatigirl.com/california/dmv_b_roulette.html#nogreen
I remember the instructor from my MSF class saying that it's okay to proceed through a red light that isn't sensing your motorcycle, as long as (1) you have waited through "two cycles" of the signal, and (2) it is safe to do so.
That instructor also said that if a cop does happen to pull you over, just say that "I waited through two cycles of the traffic signal without it changing for me, then proceeded through the intersection once it was safe to do so."
Supposedly if you present this excuse, an officer won't (shouldn't) cite you for running the light.

I found that site also. It's really useful, but didn't give a clear answer to the red light question, which is why I called the PD to get a straight answer. I was told, flat out, that it's never legal to run a red light, unless the light is actually malfunctioning. I guess it just depends on the officer who sees you do it about whether or not you'd get the ticket. Being the total newb rider, I'm too afraid to run the red, and am more likelty to take my chances with the right turn/U-turn (I'm still kinda scared of those).

[brownbrown4]

I called the PD to get a straight answer. I was told, flat out, that it's never legal to run a red light, unless the light is actually malfunctioning.
whouldn't it be considered malfunctioning if its not sensing your Vehicle?

[sersalaz]

whouldn't it be considered malfunctioning if its not sensing your Vehicle?

that's what you ask the judge when you get a ticket for running the light, LOL!!

so many wrongful reasons riders get tickets, I can tell story after story.........

[brownbrown4]

that's what you ask the judge when you get a ticket for running the light, LOL!!

so many wrongful reasons riders get tickets, I can tell story after story.........
LOL, i know i know, i've seen many of your posts.
we are moving targets for the cops. hey at least your dark skinned too.
i cant tell you how many times i've got pulled over in my cars (once in Malibu for NOTHING), and stalked on my bike by cops...