Traffic Lights

[jetboy]

Sorry if this has been posted before...

How on earth do you get traffic lights to register that you are waiting at an intersection? I was sitting on the corner of Chapel Road and Ormiston Road by that ugly new bridge (for those of you who know East Auckland) waiting at the bloody lights for about 3 entire phases before deciding to run a red

I've had this a few times now - how do you get the things to see you!?

[jim.cox]

I've had this a few times now - how do you get the things to see you!?

Contact the local council's traffic engineering department.

The vehicle sensor's sensitivity is adjustable.

Sounds like it needs a tweak

[jetboy]

Contact the local council's traffic engineering department.

The vehicle sensor's sensitivity is adjustable.

Sounds like it needs a tweak

Thanks, but it seems it's not restricted to this particular intersection. I've been around East Auckland and South Auckland and had this problem at just about every intersection.

If there is a car behind me it's sweet, otherwise, no matter where I position myself of the sensor (sometimes you can see them) the thing doesnt register!

[Warr]

Has never worried me enough.. just wait for a break in the traffic and prooceed with caution, knowing full well I'd have an argument if spotted me.

If it worries you enough I have heard that zip-tieing a decent magnet under your bike can sort it.
.... Decent as an something like the head magnet out of a hard drive.

If you felt like pursuing this method seem to recall seeing it mentioned on a UK biker site, so you may find more details with the right google search

[xwhatsit]

I don't know why I post this over and over again....

But here goes.

Look down on the road at the traffic lights. In the middle of the road there's a big bisected rectangle that looks like it's been carved into the road. This is the sensor (coils of wire under the tarmac). Park directly in the middle, on the bisection. It will even pick up a 70kg scooter made out of plastic (or a bicycle). Trust me, I do two-thirds of my riding at night after the normal timed sequences are disabled and switched to sensor-mode.

Why doesn't this work normally? Because motorcyclists are indoctrinated with the `ride in the right wheel-track'. Fine, you should do it the rest of the time, but at traffic lights you need to park right in the middle of the road to trigger the sensor (just use your eyes, you can see the lines carved into the road). Also you're more visible for cars behind you so it's a win all around (apart from the oil and shit you get on your tyres).

[Badjelly]

Look down on the road at the traffic lights. In the middle of the road there's a big bisected rectangle that looks like it's been carved into the road. This is the sensor (coils of wire under the tarmac). Park directly in the middle, on the bisection...

Yes, but in my experience the position of the sensors does vary.

If you can see the sensor lines, stop your bike on one of them, I don't think it matters which one.

If you can't see the sensor lines, the middle of the lane is your best bet.

[Mystic13]

I don't know why I post this over and over again....

But here goes.

Look down on the road at the traffic lights. In the middle of the road there's a big bisected rectangle that looks like it's been carved into the road. This is the sensor (coils of wire under the tarmac). Park directly in the middle, on the bisection. It will even pick up a 70kg scooter made out of plastic (or a bicycle). Trust me, I do two-thirds of my riding at night after the normal timed sequences are disabled and switched to sensor-mode.

Why doesn't this work normally? Because motorcyclists are indoctrinated with the `ride in the right wheel-track'. Fine, you should do it the rest of the time, but at traffic lights you need to park right in the middle of the road to trigger the sensor (just use your eyes, you can see the lines carved into the road). Also you're more visible for cars behind you so it's a win all around (apart from the oil and shit you get on your tyres).

Yep, agree and there are lights that still don't work. The magnet thing works and there are posts on here about it.

Or you could get a HD.

[Swoop]

Try putting your sidestand down close to the sensor. A bit of metal closer to it may help.

[shafty]

Great tip Xwhatsit;

I have also heard that switching off your bike, then restarting (ie electric start ((as if there's a choice nowadays!)) activates ithe loop also.

Haven't had such a prob wth the ST mind...............

[xwhatsit]

Yep, agree and there are lights that still don't work. The magnet thing works and there are posts on here about it.

Or you could get a HD.

Really? I'm yet to find one. Whereabouts?

If you do find one you can't trigger even when parked directly on the centre of the sensor (that vertical line, it's the most sensitive), then you need to write a letter to the council and politely inform them of the issue. At least in the experience of at least one Wellington rider (James Deuce) this has resolved the issue.

[slofox]

Funny thing, but I have NEVER had this problem...

[CookMySock]

Or you could get a HD.

WOT? Are they made of metal or something?

Steve

[CrankyPants]

A cop I know says 'just do it'. Actually no, he says if you believe that it's not working, apply the give way rules and proceed with caution. That's what he told me to do the other week when same thing happend to me.

[BMWST?]

jump of the bike ,run across the road and push the ped crossing buttom parrallel with your intended direction of travel....dont put your side stand down.With your bike now lying across most of the lane you will triigger the sensortry the ped crossing one...with the stand down tho

[jetboy]

Thanks for the tips guys!

I tried parking in the middle of the visible rectangle but doesn't always work.

Like the magnet idea, aside from all the loose crap it could pick up from the road.

I'll see how it goes with the side stand thing - hopefully this works.