Why Motorcycles Get Stuck at Traffic Lights | The Shop Manual
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- čas přidán 18. 02. 2022
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Most of the time traffic signals work fine for motorcycles, but every once in a while there’s one that just refuses to recognize you. Why do motorcycles get stuck at red lights, and what can you do about it? We explore how traffic signals are triggered and the simple steps you can take to help get a green light.
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Some 30 years ago I was at a "loop detector" signal on my bike (small side street to a main street). Knowing my bike didn't have the mass to trigger, I dismounted to press the walk button. Got a ticket for abandoning a vehicle on a public roadway.
Ok… I know that’s not funny, but I still kinda laughed lol. Sorry mate 😂😂
What were you smoking? 🤩
That's messed up. But funny. I hope you pledged not Guilty and went infront of a judge for this one
@@darwinLee81283 Agreed that cop needs to see a doctor about the stick up his...
@@darwinLee81283 I did go to court. Pled guilty with an explanation (told I could do that). Judge wasn't having any of that.
I remember I was riding early in the AM and as I pulled up to a light (this one by me it takes forever to turn green even with a car). I knew I would be stuck. As I rolled up, the attendant working on the light itself saw me, gave me a thumbs up - and manually changed the light for me. Gave him a thumbs up back and yelled out, "thank you!"
Simple but one of the nicest gestures I've received as a rider.
Ride safe, all.
Nice of him, but better yet maybe he could have adjusted it to not be such an eternal wait.
@@quillmaurer6563 Unfortunately, there's a city/county office that controls the interval of a light according to certain data determined by average number of vehicles per minute versus time of day. The tech has no wiggle room over the settings, and it would be a permanent mark on his record to change the settings by even a couple of seconds. I get the frustration, and I've often wondered how much more expensive a smarter system really is; i.e., one that can handle 2 am single vehicle at a deserted business area light, instead of waiting for a second vehicle from that side road before changing.
And THAT will NEVER happen to ME !
@@johnrussell5592 i'm from germany and i know way too many crossroads with heavy fast moving traffic where one side line get's a 10 seconds green before it is red for over 2 minutes. and that side line is an not so often used exit out of a highway, so if you exit there you go 4 cars at a time and wait ages when the rush hour hits...
Same happened to me. He was working on something and once he saw me he flashed some light at the stop light. Changed the signal. I gave him the thumbs up.
I once had a cop just tell me to go at one, pulled up beside me and was like, "Just go man." Apparently, particularly at night, most cops understand that motorcycles can treat them as stop signs in the right circumstances. Virtually no cop will hassle you for "running" one, as long as you stopped and looked.
Just leaving my comment here in case I get pulled over.
Depends where you live
@@Austin-vo2gh fr my town cops would ram your bike w a explorer for testing them
I think it'd be easy to talk your way out either way. Like, hey I've been here for 10 minutes and it's not safe for me to sit here waiting for a car to come. I've definitely drove through a few just because no car was ever going into the turn lane I was in.
Yep the police in my area are cool they let us riders get away with a lot when I think about it.
Being the type of rider who rides very late at night most times due to work, (around 1-4am) I've gotten stuck at far too many red lights that simply refused to turn green whenever I pulled up. The fact that it would be so late at night, there was practically never anyone else around in a vehicle big enough and low enough to the ground that would trip the sensor so I'd end up having to detour through adjacent parking lots just to make it past a stuck red light lol. This video helped a lot and at least now I know what to do to get those stupid lights to turn green at 2am 😂
As a traffic signal technician, I can confirm that Ari is spot on. Great video!
Why do you hate motorcycles so much? 😭 What have they ever done to you??? 😝
Thanks for the feedback @TrackSol. I read a lot of the FHWA Traffic Control Systems Handbook and was lucky enough to talk extensively with a traffic engineer for the City of Long Beach.
@@AriH211 Careful, you're sounding pretty journalistic there.
@@Jagknorr Hey, I’m a motorcyclist that became a traffic signals technician. I don’t hate motorcycles. Maybe redirect your ire to the traffic engineers.
@@TrackSol i don’t know any traffic engineers. Could you please pass on my ire? 🤣
Pennsylvania signed the “Ride on Red” law July 20, 2016, originally intended for motorcycles but applied to all motorists that get perpetually locked at a red light. It went in effect 60 days after signing so it’s in effect today. No amount of cycles of the light but the rider/driver must ensure safety. They basically said it isn’t a free pass to run a red so exercise caution and it’s mostly intended for rural areas where other traffic is less frequent to help trigger lights.
You'd think Revzilla would know that since they are located in Philly. Or at least their retail location is.
From PA but still don't know what you mean by this law. Can you summarize?
@@malachiwhite356 I also live in PA, and what the law does is say that if the traffic system fails to recognize any vehicle, a car or bike for example, then the opparator can proceed with caution. This is simmilar to states like tennesee
@@theitalianstallion8455 Okay, thank you for explaining to Westmoreland County!
They should just make them all with radar/light sensors (smart signals), ones close to me (UK) change if you flash your headlights as you approach, not all locally do though.
Coming home after a late shift I had a traffic light (with a red light camera) that often gave me issues. More than once I jumped off the bike and hit the pedestrian crossing button to get a change. After several complaints the Transport Dept eventually tweaked it, a week before I moved house and it was no longer on the road home.
" week before I moved house and it was no longer on the road home."
Of course.
I have actually worked in a municipality for 15 years in our sign/signal division (I however do signs 99% off the time) and you’d be AMAZED at how many calls a week we get where “lights aren’t cycling” almost exclusively with cars though. ALMOST ALWAYS it’s because a car didn’t pull up enough to trip the censors. As someone that’s new to motorcycles I never knew this was a problem. Thanks for the video.
I believe it. Very often, here in Georgia, people will leave two car lengths in front of them at a stop light. It's baffling but it's almost the norm around here.
Or here, in Michigan, people like to stop beyond the stop line and chill in the intersection. I swear most people have no idea what a stop line even is or its purpose.🤦🏻♂️
I drive long truck and trailer combos for a living and it always makes for some fun, let those people get scared I’m going to hit them for a second when I make a left turn in a 21’ long truck with a 65-70’ bumper pull trailer behind me. 🤷🏻♂️🤣
@@MBIvey1 This happened to a guy I worked with, he pulled up the city truck too far and had to back up for a semi that was turning the corner and backed right into a BMW. 🤦♂️
I just ran them as I am old and time is too precious...I will give this a try. Thank you. Gotta say after a hard weeks work, a quiet Saturday morning, strong cup of joe and a new Shop Manual video brings a smile to my face...
Glad to hear it Michael.
LoL,
✊ right on brother
I run them too. I’m not going to sit there forever like a moron waiting for a stupid light to tell me it’s ok to go.
Problem though….some lights here in Tulsa where I live are getting cameras and they can actually mail you a ticket! Can you believe that BS? Happened to my son on his sportster.
@@AriH211 d as
if a light is triggered and it does not turn green within 2 minutes you can run it when the cross road is clear
same as if the light is BROKEN and wont change for cars
The problem with double loop detectors from someone that wrote software for an asphalt paving company producing a traffic light solution in the early 1990's is that the earths own magnetic field isn't constant and is ever changing. There is background magnetism that is ever fluctuating. Thus, the double loop helps to cut down on false tripping. But the sensitivity needs to be above the highest background magnetism for the entire year, or you have someone going out every few days to adjust it. So, if you are a smaller motorcycle 600cc's or less, move to the center of the loop and stop and start your bike. It will register. I know. I wrote the software for it using my own Honda Hurrican 600 (now CBR 600). This software is mostly used in the Southeastern states from Texas to Virgina.
Thank you Nathan
Thanks Nate
Wow. Great tip man!
Thanks for sharing that
Does that include WV? We don't have 'ride on red' here.
@@matthewbeaver5026 I don't know the answer to that as the paving company I worked for only sold to the southern states. West Virgina wasn't one of them. The only way to know is to try it out, and if it works, it works. I'm sure other manufactures of traffic lights that have double loops have run across the problem before in the last 30 years and have a solution for it.
This is a problem for people who ride bicycles as well. I've used a method that might be tricky with a motorcycle, but I thought I'd share anyway. Tilt the bike to the side in order to bring it closer to the sensor. With a bicycle you can bring it almost flat with the road before anything beyond the tires contact the ground. This has worked very reliably for me. Not sure how much of a tilt you can achieve with a motorcycle practically. I found a parking lot with a gate that was triggered by the same sort of in ground loop. It worked well as a testing setup because the gate would open the moment the sensor was triggered. No need to wait for a signal to cycle. I would lean my bike down and the gate would immediately open up. Very satisfying.
I used to do the same laying my bike down over the sensor when I was a cyclist. In my area they are updating most traffic lights to the new video camera operated ones and those detect cyclists and motorcycles perfectly.
Nice. I'm glad you mentioned the last part about contacting your city. I can't remember how I found that bit out it was so long ago, but I've found the two cities that I've contacted over the years about the loop detectors have been very responsive and helpful. One of them responded right away after submitting a request online. They can adjust the sensitivity remotely. They were like, try it now and let us know it it is OK. 😀
I usually take a right on red (if allowed). But honestly, I'm rarely at a light long before a car rolls up. In my state, you're not supposed to run the red until you are confident that you've missed THREE cycles.
Yep, in many states it’s several cycles, more than one always as far as I know.
I'd run it after 1. Ain't nobody got time to wait for 3.
Fuck that I miss one cycle of the light & I'm taking off! As long as no cars r near by
Just finished my first day of rider's safty about an hour ago and it's 1 full cycle in WA state. But even my instructor said it's your call whether you wait or not haha (we were discussing commuting early in the morning when there is close to no traffic when disregarding the law. Some of our lights take a long time and you won't even see another car the whole time you're waiting)
If im coming up on a light with no one else to trigger it and i know its not gonna change for me then i just go when its clear otherwise im not waiting for more than 1 cycle.
I started revving at the light. I found that, as long as you rev high enough to charge the stator(^3500 RPM on my bike), it creates enough EM to trip the light.
😂
Works best if you REV TO 10 GRAND THEN DROP THE CLUTCH IN FIRST GEAR.........
I just get off the bike and go press on the pedestrian button. It works every time!
Why waste your time... just look and then go if it's safe
@@jameslove6 illegal
As an IT guy that used to commute in DC on my bike I used a couple of high power neodymium Hard Drive magnets wrapped in duct tape and zip tied to the bottom of my lower cowling. Worked great.
This presentation was outstanding. We have less of a problem with this in the UK, but it still manifests here and there. Now I know a few tips on what to do if it does. Thank you.
I've Installed loops for many parking systems. The best way to get it to work is put the kickstand down. I always used a small aluminum clipboard to test loops. Metal as close to the surface of the road will be the best trigger. We had issues with many lifted trucks and jeeps not triggering them. Best rule of thumb is the loop inductive height is 2/3 the length of the smallest side of the loop. I.e. if the loop is 3ft by 5 ft the field created would only rise 2 ft above the loop.
So a sturdy Steel Kickstand can go a long ways is what you are saying...?
You put the stand down it shuts you're engine off
@@sachsgs2509 what sort of shitty bike does that?
@@sachsgs2509 put it in neutral
@@fausimo great idea👌👌👌
If it goes through a whole cycle, and its still red, as long as no other vehicles are coming, just run it. Thats what i do. Pennsylvania's Ride on Red law allows for any vehicle (car, bicycle, motorcycle, even a horse and buggy) to proceed with caution at an intersection if the traffic signal is malfunctioning or if it's vehicle-detection system fails to recognize you.
Same in MN. it’s not stated how long you have to wait. Just “reasonable”. So on a light I would hit every day I would stop, check traffic, and just drive off.
texas doesnt have any motorcycle light laws like that, and the cops around here are generally not remotely understanding for motorcycles
@@williamw3559 that's the first time I ever heard something from texas wasn't better lol. wow.
If the light never changes, then it never goes through a cycle. 😁
@@LTVoyager No no, that's not what he means. The cycle CAN happen and completely skip you. For instance in my city there's a 4 way intersection which if I'm turning left on my motorbike, I can literally watch the red light for the opposing side of the road turn green and then yellow and red and what's supposed to happen next is the lanes horizontal to me would then turn green, once they're yellow and then red it is supposed to be MY turn, but instead it will go right back to the opposing side and the straight on my side. It "goes through the cycle" without letting the left turning lanes (my lane) go.
It’s ironic how many people look for guidance or permission on when they’re “allowed” to move freely around this world based on a colored light hanging from a pole. If a traffic light is malfunctioning and there isn’t anyone around, just go. The purpose of a traffic light is to regulate the traffic flow safely. Once a traffic light becomes defective, it’s up to the driver to use their ‘common sense’ and good judgment making skills to determine when it’s safe to proceed. What I love about riding dirt bikes off highway is that there are no traffic laws. You must be very aware of your surroundings at all times, making you a better rider overall. Bottom line, a colored light or painted strip of concrete doesn’t always dictate when you can or can’t proceed.
So glad live in Arkansas and can go through the light. Been stuck at them riding a dirt/street bike and it is a pain so glad I seen this!
Happens ALL the time. I run the SOB.
Faxx
My go to 3 methods are in order
1. Lane position
2. Get the car behind to move up closer
3. Get off my bike and hit the crossing button for the green side making my red turn green.
But lane position works 99.9% of the time
#3 is sooo much more effort than I'd do. Lol, is abandoning a vehicle in an intersection less of an offense than running a light? 😆
@@TravisTerrell A red light camera only cares about one thing.
Do you have the data that generated that statistic?
It’s ok, I know you don’t. I just don’t understand the habit of making up numbers. It’s a blight on our culture and discourse.
@@hidad5601 I've done all 3 and put my kickstand down on line for the wiring, ran the light after a couple cycles when it was safe or I turned right, went to the next turn around and made a u-turn then back to the light and made a right and I would try and beat the light before it turned red. I was not aware red light camera's had feelings. 🤔🤣😁 Years ago I got caught by a 🚦 camera running a red light in my truck. My rear tires were still inside the inner most crosswalk lines when the light turned red. That camera is no longer there.
#3 brings back long forgotten memories. 😁
Excellent, informative video. Thank you, Ari !
Great video! Just started riding and there's one light by my house that never changes for me. Gonna go test some of these methods.
Cheers
When I've been trapped in a gated community that my bike wouldn't trip the auto open exit gate, I have found that applying a little extra front brake a little late (causing more force on the front tire) would trip the switch. Not recommending to always do that, but it's worth a try if you're stuck.
Funny story. I was stuck at a red light in the middle of the night. After waiting about a minute, I proceeded through it. Well, there was a cop hiding across the intersection. Pulled me over. I explained why I went. He said, "you should've made a right, then a u turn".
So I replied, "I should've looked left to make sure it was clear, then proceed, then look at traffic from the other direction to make sure it's clear, then proceed?"
He said, "exactly".
I said, "exactly".
After an awkward silence, he nodded as if he understood how what I had done was basically the same thing he suggested, he said, "be safe".
Thanks for the tip on the gate... where i live my MT09 will trip the gate to open and let me exit, but my much higher and lighter KLX300 doesn't. I'll have to give it a shot. Usually I just wait for someone else to leave (or someone to come in and exit through the entrance)
@@jeffreyarvik5936
Just be careful to not lock up the front. I tried a few things prior to applying extra brake. Mostly to do with position, but also putting down the kickstand. Finally, I thought, maybe it needs to be "heavier". And it worked. Every time.
@@jessed7544 - it's not about being heavier, this type of detector does not sense pressure. When you apply the front brake firmly your front suspension compresses - it lowers that big chunk of metal between your feet closer to the sensor.
Pressure sensors that detect weight haven't been used since I was riding as a kid, they will look like a wide strip of metal across the lane. One other detector that I've seen in some private communities is a rubber strip that looks like a tube laid across the road. Traffic engineering also uses these as temporary counters, but they're not in wide use for permanent traffic control devices because they're not really durable enough for high volume traffic.
I got stuck several times at an auto exit arm at a hotel, despite reporting it and was unable to leave the lot each time. Third time I gave up, sawed the arm off and billed the hotel for my time. I have never seen anything fixed so quickly.
This happened to me the other day leaving a gated community. I rolled up and of course it didn't open. There's two sensor pads on the ground and no matter what I did with stopping hard or getting off the bike and stomping it wouldn't open. After a short while I almost had to call my cousin to drive his car over to get it open for me. Someone then was entering from the other side and when they came in I just rode out the enter side lol.
Also the automatic gates, as a delivery driver I got stuck once inside a private residential area, I had to jump over the gate and input the gate code from the outside for it to open.
😂 same!
👆🏼
I have this at my current office, and the bike will just fit down the pedestrian entrance!
I’ve also found some success with rocking my bike back and forth (as if you’re starting to engage the clutch) to help trigger the sensor. Great tips though!
Often wondered about that. Thank you!
This is more prominent at night. If I'm turning left or going straight, sometimes is less stressful to just turn right, and make a U-turn.
Yes.... simply adjust your route.
This is great! In Michigan, almost all the major intersections force you to do this. It’s called the Michigan Left, and I think it is much safer.
@@daviderwin3135 then you got to wait for other light to change to make a uturn
@@ItsTheDon27 This is a good point!
If its night and there's no cars in sight to help change the light I simply just go through it.
Good info. I've found some on my usual route that are more sensitive in one lane than the other. Sometimes a car comes and the driver stops way behind the sensor. I try to wave them forward and they just stare and look puzzled. Some if not most car drivers have no idea what makes lights change.
There are so many stupid people.
I wish there was a pill to cure stupidity.
Love when i see a driver pull past the sensor knowing theyre going to be staring at that red light for 10 minutes before the give up and run it. Got a light down the street from me that does this religiously. Shame people cant figure out that stopping at the white line is in their best interest. Shows how little most people are actually thinking while driving, stay safe out there
I usually remind my friends that I want about the same space at a stoplight as a car takes; i.e. don't get too close. Especially for drivers who know a little bit about motorcyclists and want to be polite, it's REALLY confusing to be told to get CLOSER.
@@hurleyman77 i point at the light and at the sensor, point at my bike and shake my head
You know, look like a lunatic
@@swskitso 🤣 they really should teach stuff like this in school. Raising a country of idiots lol.
This is a really nice information!!! Thanks!
the camera work by long beach airport was beautiful! great job guys
I usually get off the bike and hit the pedestrian crossing button, this gives you time to get back on the bike as typically the pedestrian light will go green before the traffic light ! Also a great way to stretch the legs on a longer ride 😜
👍
I've done that many times with a car.
What a pain!
Unbunckling, open door, closing door so no other vehicles will hit it , running across the street, push button, running back across the street, open door, sit down, close door and buckling back up again.
How simple it is with a motorcycle!
This is unnecessary. It is legal to go at a nonfunctional light.
Be careful, you can actually get a ticket for abandoning your vehicle on a public road. This is a huge loophole, and yes, it is stupid. But running the light can have you get a ticket (depending on the state), "abandoning your vehicle" to do the right thing can get you a ticket!! It is just really dumb and a solution should have come out long ago. You should never have to "guess" if you are breaking the law just for trying to get down a road!
I'd run the light before doing that. Very dangerous. As retired career firefighter, the last thing you should do walk in traffic areas, especially these days.
Where I live they usually use infrared sensors. We still have issues though sometimes. I have found that if you run over and hit the pedestrian crossing button it will turn the light green. Although this is rarely needed.
I remember I did that once, jogged over to press the walk signal, super late at night. The cross street light turned yellow instantly, so I'm bolting back to get ready for takeoff! Cross street light turns red, and LITERALLY JUST THE WALK SIGNAL CHANGES! So I'm still at this red light looking like a doofus as the imaginary pedestrians get to cross, I've never been so disrespected in my life! Just ran it at that point lol
Haha we've still got some of the old ones that has the killer yellows, where the other direction goes to yellow and as it shuts off you get the green at the same time they get the red.
Thought you said ran over a pedestrian
I've also had this happen in military trucks. Most, not HMMWVs, sit high enough that they won't trip older/ out of tune sensors. Then we get to do the Baghdad boogie by blocking traffic and running the light.
Strangely on this side of the pond many traffic lights have been changed from induction loops to infrared senses because it's cheaper, many ex military land rovers were painted with infrared absorbant paint
to make them invisible to night vision equipment, this also makes them invisible to traffic lights so the driver's have to get out and dance lol.
This happened to me & it sucked! So thanks for the pointers. I’m glad states know about this issue.
Pennsylvania also has a dead read law. Although it's called "Ride on Red" and it is more broad - it allows for any vehicle to run a red if it's malfunctioning or the sensor isn't detecting you.
As someone who rides daily, I just treat these situations like a stop sign and run the light. Where I went to college, it was legal to do so on a motorcycle.
(If in a low trafficked area)
It's legal to do in Arkansas (if little-known.)
Me too and i put a fanny pack to cover my license plate
In Nevada it's allowed after waiting 2 cycles. Bit of a bummer, since some lights don't cycle without being triggered, and an unreasonable cop could still hassle you cuz he wasn't around to witness you waiting. Oh, and sitting in the middle of the road all geared up in 100+ degrees for that long is probably technically more dangerous than cautiously running a red light. Still cool to not be completely ignored I guess.
After carefully looking around to make sure there aren't any cops.
@@thomaspike1475 if there are no cars coming, there are no cops coming either
Great video as usual!
Simplest solution is to put a couple of those cheap block magnets from Harbor Frieght on the bottom of the frame... Worked great for me on my Honda Shadow. Magnets induct a current in the coil and set em off. Usually a lot better than other traffic, which means you get to go sooner.
One trick that wasn’t mentioned that my buddies and I do is hop off the bike and press the crosswalk button to get the light to change 😜
illegal but works consistently
Yes! I did this when the detector was broken and even the cars wouldn't trigger it.
@@CrunchyMoto why would it be illegal?
@@alexwright3557 In some states it's illegal to leave a vehicle unattended while either running (even if parked on the side of the road), while in the street, or both.
dont do that, just run the light when the cross traffic is clear
This literally happened to me yesterday. Perfect timing of the video👍🏼Anyhow I always look forward to a Shop Manual
I drive a big semi truck, and one time I was stuck at one of these stupid lights. The cement truck ahead of me got sick of waiting, and I watched in amazement as he got out of his truck, and strolled over to the walk button. He pushed it and strolled back and the light turned green. Magic!
you guys did a good decision in getting him, always watched his videos on his other youtube channel
I've run the light, I've backed up and moved to the right and done right on red to keep moving too. Today I learned I can run them after a spell, being in Virginia. Thanks!
2 minutes or 2 missed cycles, whichever comes first when in VA
@@garrett8794 Thanks!! Now if the weather would change. I thought global warming would help extend my riding, but no luck.
@@scottstewart5784 Global warming will likely result in much colder weather in parts of the US. Poles getting a lot warmer, driving polar air south in the case of Americas.
3 cycles, leave on the 3rd……. in VA
@@garrett8794 curious, how can it b a cycle if yours never turned green? Or did u meant missing 2 cycles of green lights also?
I just read Utah’s motorcycle manual in preparation for learning to ride and it says that you can run a red if it refuses to turn.
“ An operator of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle, who is 16 years of age or older, may, after bringing the vehicle to a complete stop at the intersection or stop line and determines that the traffic-control signal has not detected the operator’s presence by waiting a reasonable period of time - and not less than 90 seconds at the intersection or stop line - proceed across the roadway if there are no other vehicles or pedestrians near the intersection."
Thank you Blair
I believe this got put into place in the last year or two.
I've had luck with the kickstand thing on stubborn lights. Seems like if you were going to mount a magnet on a bike to trigger lights that would be a good place to put it. Make it a really strong magnet and your bike is also safer to park on ferries or anywhere else with a metal deck.
I'm not a traffic technician, but I have installed mostly camera detection systems around here and most of what I see is the same not electromagnetic systems in the ground. The camera is pointed at the first vehicle spot closet to crosswalk or stop bar and once three vehicles or up to 5 have pulled into the spaced dots in the monitor screen inside the traffic box next to the intersection they turn solid white and then a count down starts, then the light changes.
Great video and information. I would feel safe proceeding through a red light that won't change but I'd like to be sure there isn't a traffic camera recording doing it, where I'm going to get a ticket in the mail the next week.
What also stinks is when you're first at the light and a car/truck pulls up behind you, but too far away to trip the sensor. Gesturing at the oblivious drive to pull up further is just about as exasperating as the stupid light sensor itself.
I used to have this problem a lot, but I've noticed that giving my bike a little rev usually solves the issue. But there are some lights that just don't work no matter what I try.
Thanks for the info!! I live in Virginia, moved there couple years ago... And I usually get stuck in a traffic light when I work late... At the end I cross it but I feel bad about it but not anymore 🙂
Virginia law allows motorcycle riders to proceed through a red light, as long as the motorcyclist: Comes to a full and complete stop. Checks all directions of travel. Waits at least two full cycles or two minutes (whichever is shorter).
In my area I know which ones will or won’t trigger ( after quite a bit of sitting like an idiot worried) videos liked this helped a ton , now if it’s late and one cycle goes by or my light doesn’t change in a fair amount of time (that depends on my mood) I just make clear indications that I’m Stu k ( in case of cameras ) and give a few light taps on horn as I just run the red. I always appreciate a driver that gives me space from behind but so far it’s extremely rare that trying to wave them forward to trigger light change works. Best practice is either knowing them or blowing them in my experience ( that’s what she said ) Yamaha v star 650 classic. New York State , 5 years riding
I just deem the signal as defective, and treat it as a stop sign.
I spend WAY more time on a bicycle than on a street motorcycle (Mostly ride track) so this is WAY more of a problem on my carbon bicycles.
Also, treating them as a stop is way more difficult on my bicycle since I can't clear the signal as fast, but oh well.
But yeah, the loop hole around the law is that you have to stop, determine the light to be defective (just as if it was flashing or blank), then proceed when it is safe
Do you put down the kickstand on it? 😄
I remember learning this in the study material to get my endorsement in Oregon, and it talked about diamond shaped and round marks on the ground, but I can never seem to remember which part to park on. I remember one was in the center, and the other one was the edge. Since you mentioned parking it on the edge of the circles I'm thinking I'm probably supposed to be in the center for the diamond ones. Might remember now after writing this.
Excellent video!
Every day going to work . Great vid helped alot
Excellent advice, I found out about stopping in the correct position over the inductive loop about 20 years ago, and when I started doing that, I didn't have any more problems. Motorcycle Consumer News printed a very comprehensive article on this subject quite a while back. They tested a bunch of the gimmicks that are sold promising to help, and NONE of them had any effect at all, they even put a Green Light Trigger directly on top of a loop and it still didn't work. They also talked to a engineer that worked for a company that made traffic control devices and he said a magnet won't trip a signal.
Perfect example of false advertising and unscientific quackery. Fooled me, so I studied the subject a bit and applied first-year physics principles. A static magnet does nothing, you need to increase the inductance the loop detects.
Yea the issue is they don’t all work like this. In ct the majority are weight sensitive. Basically like a weigh station pad heh.
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 lane placement is my go to, but i will absolutely run them after two cycles. Funny enough it never even occurred to me to fall them in.
Another workaround, but varies based on traffic and road design, is to turn right on the red, u-turn, then turn right again (if wanting to go straight). If turning left, you could do the same move, but instead go straight after your u-turn and through the green light.
Thanks for posting this i was wondering why it took so long for the light to change when I was sitting at a light the other day and there were no cars around.
This doesn't happened to me very often, but when it does I wait a reasonable amount of time then run the light when it's safe to do so. Unless it has a red light camera.
If the bike won't trigger the sensor, what will trigger the camera?
Thank you for the suggestions guys :). Bemuses me we're still relying on 60+ year old technology for the greater grids we transgress through Metros. Our Main Roads Authority here in Western Australia at least are very quick to recalibrate the sensors on any report.
Well its physics, just like you may still rely on a physical light switch (which is quite a bit older). The physics hasn't changed much, other than new vehicles have more plastic and carbon fiber so the sensitivity needs to be adjusted. Cameras are still troublesome with detecting a bicycle too, so either way the technology is broken.
@@jakegarrett8109 exactly. Plus, camera can be less effective at night, lens can get fogged up or covered by snow or dirt, and it requires regular maintenance/cleaning. So there's no one best technology for this task.
@@bratkax spot on!
One of 9th wonders of the world. Thanks for the upload
its a problem down under as well, i ended up hanging a small chain with a magnet on the end so it was about 1" from ground, works well.
This is more likely to happen at night or just low traffic hours. Check properly, and run the light. Even if a cop sees you he probably also saw you waiting endlessly for the light and should be understanding.
Just make sure you didn’t have a beer with dinner lol. Cops are rightfully going hardcore on DUIs.
Red light cameras will cause a ticket to be sent to you in the mail that you will get probably a month later and have to fight it in court.
@@iamtheiceman How if they never sensed ya in the first place
@@Shakiahjprod separate system. One in the ground to control the light. The other is a camera and radar, laser speed sensor in a pole pointed at you. Those are completely independent of each other.
In the UK the traffic light setup is slightly different, they sometimes have movement sensors that bikes just don't trip, I find a quick flash of my main beam headlight just before I approach the red light most often trips it to change the light.👍
Happened to me once or twice. In my case there was a clicking sound and a small black box under the light. If I was too forward, it wouldn't turn green. Pushed back 1-2 meters, and I got detected from the "sonar" type sensor and it turned green.
Yes, I sometimes end up waving my arms to trigger the movement sensor!
I might look crazy but it's the only way sometimes... 🤣
When I was in Virginia Beach around 1982 I did see the weight switch. It was very distinct because it sticks out about one inch. Not something, you can use where they have snow plows.
I worked at the same Motorad that I bought my new Triumph from, we glued neodymium magnets under all our bikes and sales bikes. No problems at street lights any more.
this happens to me even in a small car sometimes. my solution has always been to back up a little bit, stop and then inch back up to the stop light. obviously moving a bike backwards isnt as easy as a car, but if the intersection is completely dead it may be worth a try. has yet to let me down a single time
I have a light pickup and have had this happen as well where it will not activate. It has a slight factory lift (around 2-3") so the sensor may not be detecting me.
Thanks for sharing… I have always been one of the people thinking that there were pressure sensors of sorts in those cut areas of the pavement. One technique you missed… simply jumping off the bike (or having your lady do so) and run over to press the crosswalk button. I’ve had the wife do that a time or two.
Yep. Sitting duck. I used to have to pass through North Hollywood at 2 am (not the good part of North Hollywood). I would give it a short time, rev my engine, bounce in the seat, flick my high beams a few times to trip the EMS receiver, then go on through. Never got stopped.
On my Road King the light trips 70% of the time.
It my old town in Canada, it’s a small town of like 50,000, but at night around 1am most lights would be red flashing off and on, except for the main road/ highway that cuts through town… but all the other lights, the red flashing ones, it’s treated like a stop sign, then back at 5-6 am the lights go back to regular cycle with green yellow red
If it's a recurring theme with a specific light, you could approach from the right lane, turn right, flip a U at the next driveway/intersection/turn-in then another right to keep going straight, assuming the ability to make a U-turn is within a reasonable distance from the problem light.
Lol do it anyway 😂
In the UK we have sensors on the top of traffic lights. Well most anyway. If there's no cars coming at night. Just flash the lights and they will change.
Thanks for this, I was wondering how this applies to the UK.
This system is also used in the UK but the design is different so it's not as common for this to occur.
Great video as always. I want to add that Indiana also has a "dead red" law for motorcycles, provided you wait 2 minutes at the red light first.
2 minutes for Illinois too.
Good video!!! I have seen people trapped at these lights before... myself I still have access to my brain so use it to spot a break in the traffic and just go. Like my mom always told me "look both ways and gunnit!!!" It isn't that hard. Remember it is always safer to consider red or green lights as "suggestions" that most don't follow. Depending solely on a light, green or red, is a quick way to die in the city. If it is red and not a car in sight for god sakes man.... GO!!! If the light is green first make sure Tony Texter is not closing in on the intersection!!! : )
Any chance on a follow up video? In some places there are different types of vehicle detection devices for signals. Would be nice to learn how to beat this problem in other circumstances.
Where I live on the NL the strips are usually squared, I try to place the engine in between them and that works
The traffic cameras don't have this problem.
Sometimes you can flash ur brights rapidly as ur approaching and it thinks ur a cop and switches to green instantly!
Good to know
But in India I never had this problem as almost all traffic lights are timer based and others who do not change lights we can drive through them with just some caution
Excellent. Most people still think it’s pressure sensitive. If a loop detector wire is ever cut, they replace the entire length of wire. Apparently splices affect the EMF. Where all the loop wires are gathered together and make the final stretch to the control box, that is called the Home Run.
I never understood how people believed that as that would require a movable platform like a giant scale.
I have never seen those circles cut into a road before, luckily I think most lights in my town are some kind of camera/ radar combo thing and they seem to work fine with my roadking and my buddy's tw200
I was getting stuck at the same lower-traffic light almost every time. Bought a strong 1" cube neo magnet (similar to but not the same as the one in this vid), and it’s worked for me almost flawlessly ever since. Sounds like it’s not a sure thing though.
It depends on the type of signal wire and how high the sensitivity is set at in the computer. If one magnet doesn't work, you can try 2. But I wouldn't go much past that as you start picking up nails, washers, bolts, lug nuts, brake calipers and sometimes entire front ends of cars laying by the side of the road. Oh, and then if you go too big, the possibility of getting stuck to garbage trucks that you pass by.
@@nathanwoodruff9422 I hate when the garbage truck thing happens and they're headed the wrong way
Works 90% of the time for me
It's not the magnetism but the inductance of the lump of metal which does the trick. Actually, a multi-turn coil APPROPRIATELY ORIENTED and with a ferromagnet core may be better the lump of metal.
I've always found, putting down the side stand makes a big difference. Moving connected metal down closer and even touching the road surface.
Funny how no car driver ever seems to pay any attention when you are trying to make them come closer behind you at a light so it will trigger the light...
because most people are clueless as to how they work.
One time I actually had to get off and tell the person behind me to move up because "my bike wasnt heavy enough to trip the weight sensor" I know that's not correct but I wasnt going to try to explain what an induction sensor is.
Only thing that sucks with doing that is alot of bikes have a safety switch that kills the engine when you out the side stand down while still in gear. Which means I'd have to put the bike in neutral first..such a pain in the ass
They never get closer when you want them too, but lordy, the second you want a little breathing room they are right up on your tailpipe.
@@jamesmcguinness1530 how is going into neutral a pain in the ass? You're stuck at a red light which means you're not moving anyways. I always go into neutral if I know it's going to be a little while
I live in South Carolina and I rarely have the patience to wait anymore. If there aren't cars around, including behind me, after I stop, I go. If there are cars around and the light is long, I'll take a right and then safely U-turn, and I can usually beat the wait. There are so many people here that use that tactic in cars and on motorcycles.
In my experience in the Puget Sound area of Washington state, lights have camera as well as magnetic sensors. I've even had a DOT engineer tell me the brights flashing is the best bet. I use it even when on 4 wheels during middle of the night commuting with great success.
And if that's not successful, Washington state also passed a law in 2015 that allows bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles to proceed after one full cycle of the light.
Ari and Zack were two of the finest motorcycle reviewers out there, its really sad that we can't see their reviews anymore..😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
Even on a bicycle I find that if I put my wheel rims directly on top of the loop perimeter, it almost always changes. I have wondered whether a coil under the bike with a circuit that detects the frequency and then emits a lower frequency, mimicking a large hunk of metal in the coil, might work.
I don’t ride a motorbike, but a bicycle. When I had an aluminum bike, I used to lay it down to get my community gates to open or lights to switch, now that I have “upgraded” to a full carbon fiber setup, this trick doesn’t work. So I am stuck running the lights when no cars are there to help me out.
@@daviderwin3135 Yeah you need something conductive to affect the sensors. It doesn't matter if it's aluminum or steel. CF isn't going to do it.
its not that good when your whole bike is carbon
@@danjo1967 Very few people have carbon rims, so that's a vanishingly small problem.
UK has used inductive loops but now mainly uses infrared or microwave detection. More accurate and easier to maintain, no digging the road up. Emergency vehicles can flip the lights to green on approach. First traffic lights - 1869 Westminster, London.
You could also make a right on red. Then a U-turn and possibly another right on red. This could help when going straight.
It's insane to me that in places where you can't turn right on red and the law doesn't allow you to proceed if the light refuses to turn green, you are legally required to sit there FOREVER. Technical shortcomings should not force me to break the law.
If the traffic signals are not working as intended, they are defective. Treat it like any defective sign.
Places warning out of service tape over the signal. Fixed! Lol, gotta lock out tag out the sign.
Ive mainly had this problem on smaller bikes such as my honda cbr250r, but sometimes placement helps.
Got stuck in Vegas once, was a ways from the strip. Sat through 3 cycles. Finally had enough saw a chance and took it while staring down a metro. He did not bother me.
My former instructor here in Norway, said we could sneak ahead if it's clear to do so. He's a police at his main job, so I trust his words on that.
Try explaining that to a cop working in UP (if you get caught) 😉
Best regards from a former norwegian cop.
@@JohannesDalen I forgot to mention that's in situations like these when it won't change for you.
New rider and this happened to me yesterday riding my R3. Literally waited 2 cycles of light changes. I ended up having to run a red light 🤦🏾♂️
Good to know, helpful video. Honestly I always though it was weight. Oregon has a dead red light law only for motorcycles. You have to wait 2-3 light cycles, and no one in the oncoming lane. I've only had this happen a couple of times. Most of the time I can trip the light. And I have had to wave a car forward before but that is at a specific troubling light in the city I live in though.
I love these videos.
I have actually had this happen to me in my ancient Land Rover. I was sitting in a turn lane that refused to light up for me as the loop could not detect the chassis of my truck. I did eventually wind up running the light after three cycles of red and green. While I do not ride (too many other drivers here in NJ for my tastes) it really made me aware of what bikes can go through. If the light did not detect my almost 3 tonne vehicle, what was a bike going to do?
Usually backing up a few feet slowly and return to stop is good
My old jeep Grand Cherokee, my lifted K5, my R6, FZR and my yz6 all had issues.
In my state, it's legal for motorcycles to go through a red if they've waited and believe they are not being detected. (Not common knowledge--learned from a traffic-nerd newspaper column, but saved the statute for future use!)
Yes. The law in South Carolina is we can go after two minutes if it’s safe.
You can also flash your brights a few times if no one is across from you. Many lights have sensors designed to detect approaching ambulance, police and firetrucks. Flashing your lights and mimicking one of these vehicles can trigger a light change sometimes.
Absolutely not true. That is an infrared pulse on the OPTICOM, it is not the light that triggers it. The light that you see flashing is so the emergency personnel who do the truck check in the morning know that the pulse is working. The light is just an indicator. Kind of like how your LED bulb on your garage door opener remote flashes when you press the button, it's not the flashing light it's just telling you the signal is being sent.
This is correct when loop systems are used. A lot of citys are moving away from loops due to unreliability due to any major cracks in the road can cause them to not work properly or at all. Citys today are moving more towards radar, thermal and camera detection. So if you dont notice the grooves in the ground where loops are supposed to be. They are likely using the other 3 types witch normally dont have a problem with motorcycles.