Stuck at a red light...what to do?


K

killabee

New Member
Hey all,

I work very early hours and when I leave for work there is no one on the road. There have been times when I get stuck at a red light while riding my bike.

What are some ways to trigger the light to turn green?

Last resort would be running the red light. Has anyone ever had to run a light and had bad luck with a cop catching you?


Thanks!

-Jeff
 
F

FZ6R_Blue

not sure where you are but in MN if you have waited " a resaonable amount of time" you can go. check with local DMV or ask a cop
 
S

Sage

Well-Known Member
It actually recently became legal for a motorcycle to run a red light after waiting a "reasonable amount of time" which is around 2-3 minutes here in Illinois. I just make sure it's completely clear before I proceed
 
F

Fizzer6R

New Member
Jeff sounds like you might be going up too far to trip the signal. maybe ease up about a car's length back, then "walk" the bike up while sitting with your feet slowly could get it to change

i have heard about the safe to proceed through it also
 
F

FZ6R_Blue

the signals are tripped by certain amount of metal in the car/truck... bikes don't have enough to set it off.
 
C

Chevyfazer

New Member
For the old school lights that use the wires in the ground to detect metal it sometimes helps to put your kickstand down right on top of one of the loops, I superglued about 50 super strong, and really small magnets to the sole of my boot which seems to help also, or it might just be a placebo effect...
 
R

RACreative

New Member
killabee said:
Hey all,

I work very early hours and when I leave for work there is no one on the road. There have been times when I get stuck at a red light while riding my bike.

What are some ways to trigger the light to turn green?

Last resort would be running the red light. Has anyone ever had to run a light and had bad luck with a cop catching you?


Thanks!

-Jeff
Click to expand...
I just took the CA Motorcycle Test.. if you wait for 2 light changes and the left arrow does not turn green.... then you can go if it is safe... not sure about going straight, I would assume the same would apply. If a cop pulls you over it may be a good opportunity to ask what you should do :^)
 
F

FZ6R_Blue

A couple guys i know ride with them and they work...sometimes. im not sure how or why it works or doesn't work.
 
J

JSP

Super Moderator
Get off the bike and press the cross walk button. ;)
 
B

BrueThru

Sentient Being
Elite Member
B

BoneJj

Well-Known Member
there are a couple things you can do.

If your area has magnetic sensors (the cut lines in the pavement will be the tell tail sign where they buried the sensor cables. Take a few neodymium magnets and stick them to the bottom side of your bike, near the back as it's all to common and easy for a bike to overshoot the sensor wires.

If you have camera type sensors the easiest thing to do is as you come up to a red light turn your brights on, it will hit the camera and make you look bigger and it'll turn green faster, if you have those little camera type sensors around it's best to stay back from the light a little so that your brights can have some impact on the camera.
 
A

Alex6

New Member
killabee said:
Hey all,

I work very early hours and when I leave for work there is no one on the road. There have been times when I get stuck at a red light while riding my bike.

What are some ways to trigger the light to turn green?

Last resort would be running the red light. Has anyone ever had to run a light and had bad luck with a cop catching you?


Thanks!

-Jeff
Click to expand...
Didn't you just say "... there is no one on the road. ..."? Just go! Seriously.
 
B

BrueThru

Sentient Being
Elite Member
Thats what I do. Traffic present or not.

I'll wait thru the first cycle and if the second one doesn't fire, I act like its a stop sign...yield to on coming traffic and go when the coast is clear.

I don't think any LEO would hassle you as long as your acting responsibly.
 
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B

Blue-Sun

Elite Member
Can you make a "right turn on Red" and go around the block??

I did that last time I was stuck at a light that wouldn't change. Now, I just avoid that particular light/intersection & go a different route.
 
M

miketriebsch

New Member
Not going to lie, I run The light after sitting there for like a min. Lol
 
R

RACreative

New Member
Blue-Sun said:
Can you make a "right turn on Red" and go around the block??

I did that last time I was stuck at a light that wouldn't change. Now, I just avoid that particular light/intersection & go a different route.
Click to expand...
We just moved from AZ and I asked a cop what we should do.. that was exactly what he said to do... the only problem with that is that sometimes route changes to avoid intersections is often a huge inconvenience. I prefer to just run the red lights.. providing it is safe.
 
L

leprecaun jon

ESTABLISHED RESIDENT
Elite Member
i had simular issues with my scoot.... it didnt trigger the sensor so i use to have to ride up to the button form the cross walk and press it haha...

they also make a magnet thingy to put on the bottom of your bike...to trigger the light or make it cycle faster... seen them at some local shops around here
 

U

Uno979

Thuper Moderator
Premium Member
leprecaun jon said:
i had simular issues with my scoot.... it didnt trigger the sensor so i use to have to ride up to the button form the cross walk and press it haha...

they also make a magnet thingy to put on the bottom of your bike...to trigger the light or make it cycle faster... seen them at some local shops around here
Click to expand...
Yes the dealerships sell the magnets around $15-$20 and they work.
 
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