Stop lights?
#2
of Clan Nrubso
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Kitsap
Bikes: Cannondale F400, Surly LHT,Motobecane Le Champion Ti, Novara Veloce
Three total. The first two are always red in my direction. One of them completely fails to detect bicycles, the other is overly sensitive and picks me up to soon; it's usually yellow by the time I get to the intersection.
#4
English Bloke
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Redondo Beach, CA
Bikes: I presently ride a Fuji Sportif 1.1, Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra '09, a "home brew" Cyclocross, and a Trek Allant.
Living in the city of (red) lights
I have twelve to go through, most of them in the first half of my journey, and I do stop if they're red.
I have twelve to go through, most of them in the first half of my journey, and I do stop if they're red.
#5
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Two. One of them is red half the time, but since I'm coasting down a hill towards it for about 1/3 mile before I get to it, I just slow down if the timing is wrong, so that it's green when I get to it. The other one is only red about 1/10 the time, I'm on the major road and a small road T's in to it, the light's on a sensor so it's mostly green in my direction.
The former doesn't seem to be on a sensor, so it's not an issue. The latter has a sensor on the minor road. Occasionally I've been coming down that road going back towards work, hitting the light in the left turn lane. It does pick up my bike and change after 20 seconds or so.
The former doesn't seem to be on a sensor, so it's not an issue. The latter has a sensor on the minor road. Occasionally I've been coming down that road going back towards work, hitting the light in the left turn lane. It does pick up my bike and change after 20 seconds or so.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Nine along my normal route. Seven, but more stop signs on my primary alternate route. I seem to catch the one nearest my apartment as a red light most of the time. Other lights are spread out and kind of hit or miss depending on what kind of time I'm making and luck of the draw. On a good day, I hit at most a couple lights. Those nine lights are packed into the first 1.5 miles and the last mile of my commute. The rest is on an MUP.
#10
14 lights (I didn't realize it was that many!) in 10 miles. On average, maybe 5 will be red. I have the timing of some of the lights figured out so I know how fast I need to go to maximize the greens, but it partly depends on when I get to the first in a series of lights. Out in the 'burbs near my house, the lights are at least partially triggered by sensors, so there's no way to time them.
#11
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I've got 54 stoplights and 3 stop signs on my 15 mile commute, usually in the morning I hit them all red, on my way home (with a headwind) they always seem to be green . They just replaced one of the stop signs with another light that doesn't have sensors for bikes.
#12
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 819
Likes: 95
From: Upstate New York
Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile, Austro Daimler 'Ultima', 2012 Salsa Vaya, 2009 Trek 4300, Fyxation Eastside, State Matte Black 6, '97 Trek 930 SHX, '93 Specialized Rockhopper, 1990 Trek 950
I have one traffic light on my 15 mile commute home from work. Living in the middle on nowhere rocks!!!!
#13
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
The route I take in the morning is about 15 miles.... let's see:
Total- 8 lights, 6 are usually red when I get there. one is 50-50 red or green. If that one is red I can do a right turn on yield and left turn into a parking lot to miss it. Of those 6 that are usually red, I follow the "Idaho Law" at half of them.
Total- 8 lights, 6 are usually red when I get there. one is 50-50 red or green. If that one is red I can do a right turn on yield and left turn into a parking lot to miss it. Of those 6 that are usually red, I follow the "Idaho Law" at half of them.
#14
Too many to count, 30, 40, 50? No idea. But if I maintain a decent pace I can make most of them. This morning I stopped maybe 5-6 times. Yeah, I stop at red lights...
Last edited by AdamDZ; 09-02-10 at 12:36 PM.
#16
never counted, but there are several lights and stop signs on my route.
some i always stop for
some i slow down, look, go
depends on the situation
even if it is green, i slow down and look. I was almost hit last night while going through a green light by an oncoming car turning left in front of me. he was obviously only watching for cars.
some i always stop for
some i slow down, look, go
depends on the situation
even if it is green, i slow down and look. I was almost hit last night while going through a green light by an oncoming car turning left in front of me. he was obviously only watching for cars.
#21
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Funny you should bring up railroad crossings- for a while I was commuting with a friend (not anymore because I like to ride in earlier than he does). Anyway, he knew the train schedules (freight trains) for the track we need to cross, and it is very consistent. This is something I never noticed when driving a car.
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 16
From: Oxnard, CA
Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX
13 lights, 4 stop signs on 5 mile commute to work. 9 lights, 4 stop signs and a round-a-bout on 5 mile commute home. Average about 1/3 red and I stop at all reds and stop signs.







Fixed!