Commuting - Legally Running That Red (video)

This light not only doesn't trigger for cyclists. It is in the bicycle master plan not too. It appears I can just wait for an auto to trigger the light and then wait for the light to change.
I think not. Go here for the education on Arizona law http://azbikelaw.org/blog/when-traffic-lights-dont-turn/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_I92-faFro

Yeah, we have a 3 minute rule. If the light won't change in 3 minutes, off you go.

Yeah, we have a 3 minute rule. If the light won't change in 3 minutes, off you go.

I have a similar rule. I call it the 3 second rule.

Yeah, I already know which lights here won't pick me up so I just run them if it's safe.

I have a similar rule. I call it the 3 second rule.

Ah JoeyBike! You crack me up every time :beer:

Yeah, I already know which lights here won't pick me up so I just run them if it's safe.
You might consider reporting these lights to the local traffic department. They may adjust the sensitivity to make them detect bikes. And if they don't it would give you a stronger case to fight any ticket in the future.

If I'm at the front of the line, there's no cross traffic, and no cops nearby I don't wait for the green. I usually don't pass cars waiting at the red, since it just feels rude to me.

The exception I do make is in downtown gridlock. I pass everyone.

If I know I'm not going to get a green light...I go when it's clear. If I know I'm going to get one, I wait for it.

You might consider reporting these lights to the local traffic department. They may adjust the sensitivity to make them detect bikes. And if they don't it would give you a stronger case to fight any ticket in the future.

But if they make them detect bikes, then he can't run them legally and has to wait. :D

Which isn't all that bad either.

I don't roll like Joeybike. I make the appearance of attempting to follow the laws that are kind of reasonable. The one rule that is sacred to me though is that I won't run any red light or stop sign if that violates another vehicle's right of way.

No traffic? No problem; I just go. Traffic? Wait for it to clear, then go. I've used this philosophy in view of cops and they don't seem to have a problem with it. I guess they figure as long as I'm not disrupting traffic, they're not going to worry about it.

This light not only doesn't trigger for cyclists. It is in the bicycle master plan not too. It appears I can just wait for an auto to trigger the light and then wait for the light to change.
I think not. Go here for the education on Arizona law http://azbikelaw.org/blog/when-traffic-lights-dont-turn/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_I92-faFro


You might consider reporting these lights to the local traffic department. They may adjust the sensitivity to make them detect bikes. And if they don't it would give you a stronger case to fight any ticket in the future.

Since their Bike Plan states that the light will not get set to trigger for cyclist, I think he already has a strong case to fight any ticket.

I'ts been scientifically proven that a lugged steel frame just looks the way a bike is supposed to look.

uh....what?

uh....what?I have no idea how my post ended up in this thread...I posted it in a "steel is real" thread!
This is the first time I've even seen this thread.
Musta slipped through a black hole in the Universe or something.

Originally Posted by wheel:
"This light not only doesn't trigger for cyclists. It is in the bicycle master plan not too. It appears I can just wait for an auto to trigger the light and then wait for the light to change.
I think not. Go here for the education on Arizona law http://azbikelaw.org/blog/when-traff...hts-dont-turn/"


Originally Posted by prathmann:
"You might consider reporting these lights to the local traffic department. They may adjust the sensitivity to make them detect bikes. And if they don't it would give you a stronger case to fight any ticket in the future."

Since their Bike Plan states that the light will not get set to trigger for cyclist, I think he already has a strong case to fight any ticket.

Of course my post was a response to a post by Pezzle in New Jersey and it's unlikely that the lights in his area are covered by Arizona's Bike Plan. Putting my response after the quote from 'wheel' is misleading and distorts the context.

You know, if you put a small strong magnet across the under side of the BB. this will trigger the lights.

I don't have anywhere to put a Magnet my cables are by my BB. That is a good idea though.

Scottsdale bike plan
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/documents/traffic/Adopted+Transportation+Master+Plan/Bicycle+Element.pdf
"Traffic signals are usually installed because there are relatively high traffic volumes on both the
main road and side street. This means that throughout most of the day, and most of the week,
there is an adequate volume of motor vehicles on any particular approach to call the green
signal. "

It does say they should be, but they haven't headed my request.

Of course my post was a response to a post by Pezzle in New Jersey and it's unlikely that the lights in his area are covered by Arizona's Bike Plan. Putting my response after the quote from 'wheel' is misleading and distorts the context.Sorry, I did not realize you were going off topic from the OP.;)

I use the same due diligence as others have mentioned. If there are no cars to set off the light, then there probably aren't enough to justify waiting, so long as you're careful and look both ways. If a cop sees you waiting there all day for the light to change, he'd probably get suspicious anyway and bust you for loitering.

I think if I had my old Schwinn 10 speed from my childhood, I'd have no problem with lights. That old clunker could set off every light in a 10 mile radius, and if necessary, supply enough heavy steel to win a war.

You know, if you put a small strong magnet across the under side of the BB. this will trigger the lights.From Steven Goodridge, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering), a BFs member

A permanent (DC) magnet will make no difference. You need to raise the resonant AC frequency of the sensor loop circuit by reducing the effective inductance of the sensor loop. This happens when the AC magnetic field induces currents in a conductor such as a metal car or an aluminum bicycle rim. Sometimes the bike just isn't big enough to trip an insensitive detector circuit's change threshold, but these articles will tell you how to maximize your impact on the circuit.

http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/signals/detection.htm

http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/signals/green.htm

Okay, so today I am at a light, no cars AT ALL to change it for me. I make a move for the pedestrian switch, which is waaaay up on the sidewalk, of course. As I move I see a cop in the cross-traffic, stopping at the side of the road, JUST TO SEE IF I WAS GOING TO RUN THE LIGHT!!!

As soon as I hit the button, off he goes...

It's a 45 second rule here in Wisconsin. Though some of the roads that I traverse which happen to have such sensors actually have very convenient cross walk buttons that come out into the bike lane area.

Yeah, I already know which lights here won't pick me up so I just run them if it's safe.

Exactly. I'll wait if another car comes along that can set off the trigger, but certainly not when it's 2am and nobody is in sight. There is only one light on my usual route that I can set off with my wheels.

the other way to "legally" run a red light, is to make a right turn, followed by a (very) quick u-turn, followed by another right turn. That is, given that a u-turn is legal in that situation.

That video was stupid and in no way proved any point. The cyclist never even came to a complete stop. You have to wait at least 30 seconds to see if you are going set it off. If a cop saw that in my town that would be a ticket, no doubt about it.

That video was stupid and in no way proved any point. The cyclist never even came to a complete stop. You have to wait at least 30 seconds to see if you are going set it off. If a cop saw that in my town that would be a ticket, no doubt about it.

The video was probably stupid, but it would have more meaning as evidence in court.
If I didn't stop I would be smooshed by a pickup.

So every day I leave my house I need to see if they changed the sensor? Of course also when I come back home?

the other way to "legally" run a red light, is to make a right turn, followed by a (very) quick u-turn, followed by another right turn. That is, given that a u-turn is legal in that situation.
Which doesn't work on streets with medians or that's what I would do.

Which doesn't work on streets with medians or that's what I would do.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:hKnVam08j2qylM:http://downlode.org/Creative/Writing/Notebook/Illustrations/itsatrap.jpg

Another reason to ride Steel bikes. Lay the bike over sideways and it'll trip many lights.

Riding with the Saturday group they are used to waiting forever at certain lights. They all have carbon bikes. The light will cycle over and over. I roll up and say "I got it" and the light changes. They're usually caught off guard. :)

^^That's awesome!^^

I have a slightly different method.

I blaze through the red and leave them standing in my dust with their rules in their hands.