Advocacy & Safety - traffic signal loop detectors

Real progress in California:

Assembly Bill 2521, authored by Assemblyman Jay La Suer of La Mesa and sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition, will require all new or replaced traffic-actuated traffic signals to be sensitive to bicycles. Yesterday the bill was unanimously recommended for approval by the Assembly Transportation Committee.


Those of you living in other states or countries may want to cite this as a precedent, if/when it becomes law. Several cities, including the one in which I live, are ahead of state law on this issue; others need the push this law should provide.

I hope Nevada adopts a similar law, I've waited a light for two cycles before it let me through, and that was only when a car came up and triggered it :rolleyes:

oh well :)

Originally posted by John E
Real progress in California:

Assembly Bill 2521...will require all new or replaced traffic-actuated traffic signals to be sensitive to bicycles.
This is more than a practical victory. It is a moral victory.

Check out:

www.GreenLightTrigger.com

They make a cool magnet, about the size of a domino, that is mounted at the bottom of the bike and triggers the sensing coils by giving the bike a larger "footprint". It works on all the signals I go through except one. Sells for about $7, shipping included, and it has a money back guarantee. I don't imagine they get any back.

Goatbiker

I always thought the person who developed such a device would
strike it rich.

Originally posted by Goatbiker
Check out:

www.GreenLightTrigger.com

They make a cool magnet, about the size of a domino, that is mounted at the bottom of the bike and triggers the sensing coils by giving the bike a larger "footprint".

Thanks Goatbiker. My road bike (titanium) "triggers" less than half of the traffic light sensors I encounter. My commuter (aluminum) doesn't "trigger" any of the sensors. I just ordered one. Hope it works. ;)

Let me know how it works!

I have issues with lights changing even when I'm on my motorcycle. It's very annoying.

The Green Light Trigger was in the stack of mail when I got home on Friday night. Put it on the titanium road bike and tried it on my usual Saturday ride. It did "trigger" 2 of 3 sensors that usually make me wait.
I'll put it on the aluminum commuter and try it Monday. It may not help because there is always at least one car ahead of me at an intersection that has already triggered the sensor. And many traffic signal controller are "timed" or won't change until at least 3 vehicles are waiting.

Oh well, it was only $7.95. I "wasted" more than that on the Delta Insight Mirror (http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=730550&prmenbr=8000&cgrfnbr=4500871) that I gave away because it didn't work as expected.
http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1h/gallery.rei.com/regularimages/628377.jpg

I'm a bit disappointed with my insight mirror, too. It doesn't really give a wide view, and I had to remove my wedge pack to see anything. Also, I often hit it with my knee on OOTS hill climbs. Still, it's better than having a mirror mounted on the hoods.

Sudbury is so old, the traffic lights don't even detect motorcycles. Besides, most interesctions don't even have sensors, they are strictly timed.

Next time a small loudspeaker dies on you (e.g. cone rot or tear or voice coil rub or burnout), salvage the magnet and attach it to the bottom of your bottom bracket.

ummm...John....
I don't think that will work for my Cannondale.

Originally posted by John E
Next time a small loudspeaker dies on you (e.g. cone rot or tear or voice coil rub or burnout), salvage the magnet and attach it to the bottom of your bottom bracket.
Now you're speakin' my lingo!

Originally posted by RonH
The Green Light Trigger was in the stack of mail when I got home on Friday night. Put it on the titanium road bike and tried it on my usual Saturday ride. It did "trigger" 2 of 3 sensors that usually make me wait.
I'd call that success.

Originally posted by D*Alex
ummm...John....
I don't think that will work for my Cannondale.
If your frame is aluminum, will a magnet lose it's power eventually? Don't magnets need iron or steel to retain their strength?