Traffic Lights

[The Stranger]

I find that the traffic lights at the intersection of McLeod and Te Atatu roads often does not recognise that I am ther when on the bike.

In such circumstances I normally wait for a period then run the red when it is safe to do so.

How many others find this to be a problem?

[vifferman]

You occasionally get lights all over the where that are like that, usually due to an induction loop that's not sensitive enough (often because there's too much asphalt above it).

There are things to do to help trip it, like pushing your starter when directly over the loop (visible as a shiny strip of tar or line on the road), rolling back and forth over it, etc. However, you're probably best to just do what you have done, and if pulled up for running the light, calmly explain why.

[Jonty]

Try this thread, there is a good discussion :spudwave:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=6174

[Smorg]

I just jump up and down furiously until it picks me up............hate to have a bike that didnt weight as much as a truckload of texan's :whocares:

[Smorg]

they pick up metal??? Shit mabye i should have read that thread before i posted :(

[R6_kid]

me thinks you just want to be a forum whore :niceone:

you can buy those 'rare earth magnet' things and they aparently trick the induction loop into thinking there is a large object there.

[Big Dave]

You don't have to buy or install anything - Just put the bike on its side stand for a half a second, near the sensor - works every time.

[crashe]

I find that the traffic lights at the intersection of McLeod and Te Atatu roads often does not recognise that I am ther when on the bike.

In such circumstances I normally wait for a period then run the red when it is safe to do so.

How many others find this to be a problem?

yep all the time at that set of lights.

Which way do you come from....on McLead Rd....
from the dutch village or the other way (playing fields end)

I was there one day when the guy was fixing the lights... he also rides a bike... tried to adjust them to suit us bikers.... they worked great for a while... guess another worker has since played with them ... I hope that car comes along...

I did once speak to a cop about this when I was up on the Massey, Royal Rd turning right set of lights I had waited for 4 sets of lights.... he said go after 3 sets but do it safely and then report them to the city council that they are in that they are not working properly.

[Zed]

I find that the traffic lights at the intersection of McLeod and Te Atatu roads often does not recognise that I am ther when on the bike.

In such circumstances I normally wait for a period then run the red when it is safe to do so.

How many others find this to be a problem?You mean you stop at traffic lights when there are no other cars around? What sort of a *biker* are you CaN?? :msn-wink:

Vifferman & Big Dave gave some great advice should you happen to continue this ludicrous stopping!

[The Stranger]

Either direction on McLeod gives the problem.

I was kinda thinking if we got a bit of a list together of common problem ones I would write the council/s concerned and ask them to investigate and repair them as it is a safety issue.

I figured they would in fine council tradition do nothing but at least it may be possible to use it (the letters) as a defence if someone was pinged for running a red in such a circumstance.

[crashe]

Either direction on McLeod gives the problem.

I was kinda thinking if we got a bit of a list together of common problem ones I would write the council/s concerned and ask them to investigate and repair them as it is a safety issue.

I figured they would in fine council tradition do nothing but at least it may be possible to use it (the letters) as a defence if someone was pinged for running a red in such a circumstance.


The two I mentioned are the main ones that I have come across in the Waitakere City Council area.

Auckland city has the one coming from the city down Gt Nrth Rd by Western Springs... the straight throu takes forever and sometimes you have to wait up to 3 sets of lights.

[dawnrazor]

Never been picked up by a traffic light before, but i've been swung around by my tits, as the old joke goes... ahem

[Smorg]

me thinks you just want to be a forum whore :niceone:

you can buy those 'rare earth magnet' things and they aparently trick the induction loop into thinking there is a large object there.


Yep that is definately my only goal in life at the moment :mellow:

[Ixion]

Either direction on McLeod gives the problem.

I was kinda thinking if we got a bit of a list together of common problem ones I would write the council/s concerned and ask them to investigate and repair them as it is a safety issue.

I figured they would in fine council tradition do nothing but at least it may be possible to use it (the letters) as a defence if someone was pinged for running a red in such a circumstance.

Auckland City Council will (*usually) respond quite well to such reports. Sometimes it is difficult for them , if zealous road fixers have buried teh inductive strip under several inches of tarseal

The underlying problem is that bikes don't have have all that much inductive (steel) mass - ali frames, ali engines , ali wheels, plastic bodywork.

If you really want to solve it, sell the sprotsbike and buy an OLD Briddish job. Lotsa cast iron, works a treat/

[Waylander]

Yep that is definately my only goal in life at the moment :mellow:
Well perhaps you could continue with your goal without insulting Texans.

[vifferman]

The underlying problem is that bikes don't have have all that much inductive (steel) mass - ali frames, ali engines , ali wheels, plastic bodywork.
Plastic gears / whirly bits???
Revving your engine (or using the starter) works well because in the first place it's whirling around those coggy things (tech term) and in the second place, you're creating a wee magnetic field thingo (another tech term).

Incidentally, revving your engine is also a good way to balance your bike at slow speeds, due to the gyroscopic effect of all the aforementioned whirly bits (Moto Guzzis, ST1100/1300s and BMWs excepted...)

[Mr Skid]

Well perhaps you could continue with your goal without insulting Texans.Where would the fun be in that?

[The Stranger]

If you really want to solve it, sell the sprotsbike and buy an OLD Briddish job. Lotsa cast iron, works a treat/

Nothing is that big a problem.

[Smorg]

Nothing is that big a problem.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Aaron]

How many others find this to be a problem?
Have the same problem at the lights between Hoyts 8 and Denny's (?), in the left lane heading back into town. Often at night I'm the only one there. Had to wait for three light phases once before enough cars had pilled up behind and beside me to trip the sensors.

However, I have since found a trick that seems to better the odds of tripping the sensors. I've noticed the the induction sensors are in two squares in the lane, both parallel to the white lines. If I ride so the front wheel is between both sets of sensors then there's no problem :niceone:

Make sense?

Also have the same problem with fixed speed cameras... just cannot get them to go off :whistle: Cannot figure it out seeing as how the GSX is built like a tank.

[Drum]

The sensors are arranged in 2 figure eights, you will be able to see the saw cuts in the road. If not look for the small metal box on the kerb (normally left hand kerb). All the saw cuts lead there (and subsequently to the controller and then to the signals, or aspects as they are more correctly known - each light is a 'lamp' or 'lantern'). The strongest part of the electro magnetic field is directly above either of the 'eights'. So Aaron, when you put your front wheel between them, what you are actually doing is putting the bulk of your bike directly over one of the 'eights'. Note that in some smaller towns, or out of the way intersections the lights may not be vehicle actuated at all - so no loops etc - and work on a fixed timing. At these intersections you shouldnt have to wait more than 100 seconds maximum (normally 60 to 80 seconds).

[Korumba]

If there is a Walk/Dont Walk thing, Go push the button.

Dont forget to put yer sidestand down first tho..

Which will trip the lights make them go Green and a Truck will roll on thru and total the Bike..but best thing is you wont be on it..


Just run the Red!!!!!