Left hand turns from busy multi-lane streets
01-25-23, 06:05 PM
#51
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Several times I have sat at the light where Rt 35 Ts into Rt 92 in San Mateo County while the light cycles without ever giving me a green. No way to go, because the traffic on 92 is constant, heavy, and fast. The only thing that saved me was that eventually cars pulled up behind me over induction loops and triggered the light.
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01-25-23, 11:18 PM
#52
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Then there are the left lane signals which require more than a bike to trip the element to change the light. I even try leaning the bike down and over the lines and still no love. So I sit/stand there as the cars go round-robin over and over, with still no car behind me to trip the sensor. So…. instead of trying to cross back over the two lanes to my right, I do the illegal and take the turn when the oncoming lanes are clear. Not proud but am not going to stand there through who knows how many light cycles.
01-26-23, 12:25 AM
#53
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I'm in Washington like you - as long as you wait through one cycle of the light this is explicitly legal here. RCW 46.61.184: Bicycle, moped, or street legal motorcycle at intersection with inoperative vehicle detection device. (wa.gov)
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01-26-23, 06:29 AM
#54
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I'm in Washington like you - as long as you wait through one cycle of the light this is explicitly legal here. RCW 46.61.184: Bicycle, moped, or street legal motorcycle at intersection with inoperative vehicle detection device. (wa.gov)
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01-26-23, 07:06 AM
#55
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I don't stress much over those lights .... when there are no cars around, the worst thing that could happen would be getting a citation. The intersections which worry me are the busy ones where drivers are more interested in getting ahead than in not hitting a cyclist.
01-26-23, 08:46 AM
#56
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01-26-23, 01:03 PM
#57
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I do whatever is safest even if it takes more time. Be aware that motorists are conditioned to look for other cars and not for someone on a bike and easily cross in front or hit a rider. In heavy traffic the traffic lights work for the cyclist much of the time but there are many places with no pedestrian activation buttons and one is left to wait for a red light and then wait to see what the motorists will do.
