Advocacy & Safety - Bike only lights

Just curious, but has anyone ever heard about bike only traffic lights? You know, lights that go off earlier for cyclists. I and alot of bikers I see tend to start off a second or two earlier than the cars for various reasons, including safety. Is this just the cyclists around here, or is it a normal thing. If it is normal, then are there bike specific laws and traffic lights which allow for a sooner start, or is this just my own fantasy world?

Thanks

I saw a set of "bike-only" lights in Melbourne a couple of years ago. However, they were positioned in such a way that they only applied to those using the off-road path. I was using the road, so I used the proper traffic lights.

See the drivers out there that are dangerous because they don't understand, or have no regard for, the laws, traffic signals, and situations that already exist? Think they would be any more aware of the proper use of any signals that applied only to cyclists?

Just curious, but has anyone ever heard about bike only traffic lights? You know, lights that go off earlier for cyclists. I and alot of bikers I see tend to start off a second or two earlier than the cars for various reasons, including safety. Is this just the cyclists around here, or is it a normal thing. If it is normal, then are there bike specific laws and traffic lights which allow for a sooner start, or is this just my own fantasy world?

Thanks

It sounds like the cyclists who leave early are watching the cross traffic lights and leaving as soon as they turn red. Most traffic lights now have a 1-2 second 'all red' condition to allow late arriving motorists (red light runners) to clear the intersection and prevent horrendous T-Bone accidents. People trying to beat the red light usually speed up making the intersections very dangerous.

I am unaware of any special traffic lights on the road for cyclists. If there were any, there would probably be hopeless confusion with the normal lights.

I don't understand why it would be safer to jump out ahead of the other cars. Since they will just pass you a short distance down the road.

Never seen one. Can't really see a useful purpose for one.

On the west side bike path in new york there are in fact stop lights for bikes. Not that any body really pays attention to the. This of course goes for both cyclists and pedestrians crossing. though its probably good karma to obey them.

I would rather the sensors in the pavement be cued to something like our bikes rather than a special set of lights for bicycles only - unecessary IMHO.

See the drivers out there that are dangerous because they don't understand, or have no regard for, the laws, traffic signals, and situations that already exist? Think they would be any more aware of the proper use of any signals that applied only to cyclists?

No I don't, which is why I think such signals are unnecessary.