Originally Posted by
Walter S
How about red lights? For a lot of lights in my area, the light won't change for a bicycle. Or it takes waiting out a long timer that cars need not wait for. I've never been to court but if charged my defense would include that fact.
you are quite right about this being a problem. especially so, after my town installed (i'm sure at an extravagant price) "Smart Lights". they use cameras rather than metal detecting apparatti. they have to be aimed correctly, and apparently that money was not in the budget. so bicyclists and motorcyclists alike (including mounted police motorcyclists) have to routinely resort to the rarely used traffic law that states that malfunctioning lights should be treated as four-way stop intersections. it's a mess...
fortunately, i think the mounted LEOs have passed the word to the patrol police and they won't hassle us if we stop at smart lights where no automobiles or trucks are around to be "seen" by the camera and then proceed through with assured clear distance. i occasionally have to run these red lights on my motorcycle too.