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 :whistle:

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 :Police: 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 sensor;)try 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.

[Swoop]

I'll see how it goes with the side stand thing - hopefully this works.
Just remember to be in neutral, as some bikes will cut out if still in gear and the sidestand is lowered.

[Mschvs]

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!

Get a bigger bike! Haha

[vifferman]

The lights are supposedly triggered by metal passing through the induction loop, which causes a small current to be induced, which switches a relay. They are set to be triggered at a certain threshold. If they don't work for your bike, you can increase it slightly as described previously: movement, position, metal closer to the loop, or by pressing your starter (even when the motor's already running!) as this creates a magnetic field.

However (but!) The Council (whichever one, it's irrelevant) have some REALLY stupid traffic management shit (technical term) going on, so if you're unlucky enough to strike one of the lights which has an antiquated mechanical timer, it will make no difference: you will have to sit there. But (however!) for some reason, pedestrians rank highly in The Scheme of Things, so pressing a crossing button almost always makes the lights change relatively quickly.

Something I always bear in mind: traffic lights are stupid and were instituted to make intersections easier and safer to navigate. If the traffic lights are making this WORSE, then I ignore them.
F'rinstance: You're sitting at a traffic light in the middle of the dark, waiting to turn right. Nothing's coming.
The 'straight-ahead' light is green, but the 'turn right' arrow is red.
Still nothing coming?
Fukkit - I'm off.

Notherf'rinstance: You're on your bike, in the middle of the dark, and nothing's coming.
The light is red.
Nothing's coming.
You have a wee nap, and the light's still red.
Nothing's coming.
No-one is around.
The light's are being NaughtyLittleFuckatards, so don't deserve to be obeyed. Just go!

[jetboy]

Just remember to be in neutral, as some bikes will cut out if still in gear and the sidestand is lowered.
yes I learned this one rather quickly!

[jetboy]

The lights are supposedly triggered by metal passing through the induction loop, which causes a small current to be induced, which switches a relay. They are set to be triggered at a certain threshold. If they don't work for your bike, you can increase it slightly as described previously: movement, position, metal closer to the loop, or by pressing your starter (even when the motor's already running!) as this creates a magnetic field.

Ahhh ok sweet thanks for the heads up. May try the starter motor too - this won't damage the bike?



However (but!) The Council (whichever one, it's irrelevant) have some REALLY stupid traffic management shit (technical term) going on, so if you're unlucky enough to strike one of the lights which has an antiquated mechanical timer, it will make no difference: you will have to sit there. But (however!) for some reason, pedestrians rank highly in The Scheme of Things, so pressing a crossing button almost always makes the lights change relatively quickly.


Try driving in Holland. Over there, the bicycles have right of way...every time, no matter what. Last time I went over I got the shock of my life when, at roundabouts, you not only have to pay attention to the cars on the road but bicycles on the footpath too!



Something I always bear in mind: traffic lights are stupid and were instituted to make intersections easier and safer to navigate. If the traffic lights are making this WORSE, then I ignore them.
F'rinstance: You're sitting at a traffic light in the middle of the dark, waiting to turn right. Nothing's coming.
The 'straight-ahead' light is green, but the 'turn right' arrow is red.
Still nothing coming?
Fukkit - I'm off.


Yeah that's what happened to me last night. Dark, quiet, and no cops, so gapped it after waiting patiently for 10min. Thats 10min I'll never get back.

[vifferman]

Ahhh ok sweet thanks for the heads up. May try the starter motor too - this won't damage the bike?
It shouldn't do (but may depend on how your starter works). On a car, it generally spins the pinion out to mesh with the teeth on the flywheel, so if the engine's already going, it makes a gnarsty grinding noise. However, bike starters are different, and have a kind of clutch with a one-way roller bearing system, so just spins without engaging if the engine's already going. Or so I believe...
I've been told that (for my VFR) you can do this, and I've verified it by pressing it with the engine running. I've also had a sticky starter button and rode along for a few minutes wondering what the strange extra whirring/whining noise was.


Try driving in Holland. Over there, the bicycles have right of way...every time, no matter what.
I did - last August. I was very impressed with the status of cyclists - which also seemed to include scooter riders! I saw some whizzing along the cycleways, no helmets or other safety gear!


Yeah that's what happened to me last night. Dark, quiet, and no cops, so gapped it after waiting patiently for 10min. Thats 10min I'll never get back.
I've been wise to this for a long time - I started riding motorcycles in the 70's, and there were a couple of traffic lights in Rotorua that totally ignored bikes, so I learned to stop, look both ways, and go. (Mind you, back in those days, the MOT were generally a little more sensible and pragmatic about 'naughty' things you might do, so if they caught you doing this, they'd accept your explanation and let you continue. I'd idmagine there'd be some nowadays that'd look on it as a convenient boost to their ticket quota...)

[sunhuntin]

ive run a few reds that have refused to change no matter what trick i tried. i have a lot of success on the middle part of the sensor, but there are a couple of extra stubborn ones here.

dad got a ticket years ago in the wee hours when he ran a red that had refused to change. that was on a gn250.

[Mom]

yes I learned this one rather quickly!

Wait till you try to start your bike with the stand down :yes: Always good for your mates to have a good laugh at you :clap:

Yeah the sensors should detect you if you do actually stop over top of them. You can usually see the part of the road where they are. If you do stop over the "area" you think the sensor is in and it still does not trigger,like others have said just go (applying the Give way rule of course) and report the non functioning sensor to the council. They can be adjusted.

Riding on the road is fun eh?

[crazyhorse]

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 :whistle:

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

Buy a harley

[jetboy]

Buy a harley
...resisting smart ass comment.....

haha