Commuting - Green Light Triggers

Has anyone used a Green Light Trigger (http://www.greenlightstuff.com/trigger.html)? Last year I found my aluminum-frame bike didn't trigger traffic detector loops as reliably as my old steel frame, and I am wondering if that device would help, of if there are other tricks to use.

Let me add that the "prime spot" on loop detectors is marked by three orange dots here, so its not a question of position.

Thanks

Here is a link to a thread on the topic. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=77811&highlight=traffic+light+sensors)

Here is a link to a thread on the topic. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=77811&highlight=traffic+light+sensors)

I read that before posting. (Yeah, I'm a rare one who uses the search function). According to a post in that thread, a magnet should not be helpful with detector loops. It isn't clear from Green Light's site if the product is a magnet, a metal block, or a combination of both. Certainly some people think it works.

I would be curious to hear from anyone who has tried one if it made any difference at all.

Look both ways and own it.

I iwll try a rare earth magnet. I have a few very powerful ones if I can find them in my shop.

If my riding over the sensor doesn't trigger the light, I lay the bike over the sensor and it usually works. If I'm loaded up with stuff from work though, I confess to just going over and pushing the ped crossing button. That said, there is usually either enough traffic that the light is triggered by cars anyway, or its late enough that the lights just flash and I treat it as the stop-sign that it is.

Has anyone used a Green Light Trigger (http://www.greenlightstuff.com/trigger.html)? Last year I found my aluminum-frame bike didn't trigger traffic detector loops as reliably as my old steel frame, and I am wondering if that device would help, of if there are other tricks to use.

Let me add that the "prime spot" on loop detectors is marked by three orange dots here, so its not a question of position.

Thanks

I put one on my motorcycle and it worked great.

I iwll try a rare earth magnet. I have a few very powerful ones if I can find them in my shop.

Thanks.

I had an idea. Lets say all I need is a chunk of steel to trigger the loop.... why not buy a large, cheap, padlock and tape it under my pedal (or bottom bracket). Under $10, problem solved.

(Hmmm, if anyone in Ottawa sees a guy dropping padlocks over traffic loops this week, please do not dial 911. I'm ok, honest.)

If my riding over the sensor doesn't trigger the light, I lay the bike over the sensor and it usually works. If I'm loaded up with stuff from work though, I confess to just going over and pushing the ped crossing button. That said, there is usually either enough traffic that the light is triggered by cars anyway, or its late enough that the lights just flash and I treat it as the stop-sign that it is.

That's what I did -used the ped button. Dropping a bike with 20lbs of cat litter and a backpack full of groceries just isn't practical.

I don't think that any of our lights change to flashers at any time. I do have to deal with a few intersections that have heavy cross-traffic but no traffic on my street, so the wait can be a long one.

I put one on my motorcycle and it worked great.

Thanks for the feedback, that what was looking for. Anyone else?

(For some reason I am a bit sceptical of the accolades on any manufacturer's site)

I've never triggered one.

I look both ways, make sure no cops are around, then go.

Actually, wait, look both ways, go. If the cop stops you, point out that a signal that fails to actuate is considered broken and should be treated as a stop sign.

I'm amazed at all the things people do to activate the sensor. I happen to believe they also pose another form of danger for the cyclist. In my neck of the woods, we have a sensor on a cross street and it changes REAL FAST once the last car goes through the light. In other words, if you're not right behind the last car, you will cut througth the intersection on a dead red light on a four lane boulevard.

As a result, I don't like passing that light because it won't take me into consideration and will change to red while I'm entering the street!

Actually, wait, look both ways, go. If the cop stops you, point out that a signal that fails to actuate is considered broken and should be treated as a stop sign.

I agree, that sounds like the best answer, I have no problem doing it either.

But I wonder how a cop or the cyclist decides if you waited long enough to determine it was broken. I wonder how that would go in a court. Have you ever been confronted by a cop for this? I have had a cop watch me do this without any reaction.
Just wondering. I do plan to do more riding up there in the nice weather.

No, cops in Boston don't stop cyclists for moving violations. Ever. It's an ongoing experiment to see if anyone can actually get one.

But, MGL and UVC says that a light that fails to change for a vehicle is defetive and should be treated as a stop sign. I guess the courts decide.

You might talk to your local transportation agency I have an aluminum framed bike and with only a couple of exceptions I can trigger the lights here. When I can't I treat it like a stop sign. Green light activators are illegal so expect a legal hassle if you get caught.

No, cops in Boston don't stop cyclists for moving violations. Ever. It's an ongoing experiment to see if anyone can actually get one.

But, MGL and UVC says that a light that fails to change for a vehicle is defetive and should be treated as a stop sign. I guess the courts decide.

Thanks. I guess I'll just have to enter the experiment this summer. It seems like all the larger cities are like this.

edit post: There's a hill down here where it's easy to go over the speed limit. There is a speed trap there sometimes. I have been trying to get a speeding ticket for years, with no success. I guess I have to do better than 10 over the limit.

I iwll try a rare earth magnet. I have a few very powerful ones if I can find them in my shop.Try throwing a washer in the air and follow it. :)

You might talk to your local transportation agency I have an aluminum framed bike and with only a couple of exceptions I can trigger the lights here. When I can't I treat it like a stop sign. Green light activators are illegal so expect a legal hassle if you get caught.

I'm trying to get feedback from local people, but from what I understand most have this problem with non-steel bikes. It does depend on the bike... steel rims, pedals, etc. probably help.

Green light triggers are NOT illegal in Ontario Canada (don't know where you are?!?)... unless you mean the type of trigger used by emmergency vehicles. This is not what we are talking about here. The device I linked to and similar devices merely add more steel and/or a magnet to your bike to increase the odds that a traffic loop will "see" it.

Look both ways and own it.
Ditto. It's free.

No, cops in Boston don't stop cyclists for moving violations. Ever. It's an ongoing experiment to see if anyone can actually get one.

But, MGL and UVC says that a light that fails to change for a vehicle is defetive and should be treated as a stop sign. I guess the courts decide.

I've been 'warned' after blowing a stop sign, but that was in Cambridge. Things are a little 'different' over here, across the charles.
The bike cop actually gave me a written warning! :eek:
But I still blow stop signs and reds.

I've been 'warned' after blowing a stop sign, but that was in Cambridge. Things are a little 'different' over here, across the charles.
The bike cop actually gave me a written warning! :eek:
But I still blow stop signs and reds.


wow ! mabye..............35 mph? :)

Nah, it was just like a slow around 10mph roll through, light traffic but I didn't notice the bike cop!
I could have easily dropped him, being a fat, out of shape policeman on a 'police bike', and me on my quick SS, but...

Sometimes I can't trigger a light with my Vespa, which has a steel body, not plastic. I have to get off the bike, run over and click the ped button. Fortunately in the morning there's a nice crossing guard that has seen me do that enough times he pushes the button for me now.

Never heard of one of those triggers. Sounds handy for my motorcycle, but I think I'd save the weight and just go through the red light on my bike.

Nah, it was just like a slow around 10mph roll through, light traffic but I didn't notice the bike cop!
I could have easily dropped him, being a fat, out of shape policeman on a 'police bike', and me on my quick SS, but...

:roflmao:

I have this mental picture of a fat cop practically blowing out the tires on a 50 lb bike with all the stuff including a defibrillator!

And you on a 15 lb vintage track bike... trying to decide to wait or not?? Hmmmm? I'll just tighten my double strap track pedals a little......nah.

I really am laughing out loud.

And you on a 15 lb vintage track bike... trying to decide to wait or not?? Hmmmm? I'll just tighten my double strap track pedals a little......nah.


Oh, I wish! My bike is a 20+ year old touring frame, about 21#.
FYI- that picture is hilarious. :roflmao: