View Full Version : Stuck On Red (Traffic Lights)
I live in Nashville TN., and ride an EZ-3 trike. I keep
getting hung up at intersections by red lights that
won't change.
Is there any device that can be purchased that will cause
the traffic lights to change?
This is important as I don't want to get mowed over by
motorists or harassed by the local law enforcement by
running a light.
Chuck
Just about all the lights where I live operate (roughly) on
the principle that they register changes in the magnetic
field in proximity to the wire buried under the asphalt. As
a bike doesn't have enough metal in it to register a
noticeable change, try buying a strong magnet (like a Neo
magnet) from the guys at wondermagnet.com. It wouldn't
necessarily need to be mounted anywhere (it would tend to
pick up small bits of metal and magnetic particles), just
have the magnet on a string that you can drop down toward
the road once you get to the sensor area. Maybe even a
weaker magnet would be strong enough to register on the
system. Sort of Mickey Mouse, but it might get you through
the lights.
> I live in Nashville TN., and ride an EZ-3 trike. I keep
> getting hung up at intersections by red lights that
> won't change.
>
> Is there any device that can be purchased that will cause
> the traffic lights to change?
>
> This is important as I don't want to get mowed over by
> motorists or harassed by the local law enforcement by
> running a light.
>
> Chuck
Chuck wrote:
> I live in Nashville TN., and ride an EZ-3 trike. I keep
> getting hung up at intersections by red lights that
> won't change.
>
> Is there any device that can be purchased that will cause
> the traffic lights to change?
A phone call to the DOT might fix it. It may be the case
that a light on sensors that doesn't change for a bike is by
law malfunctioning and must be fixed. You just need to bring
it to the attention of the proper authorities.
> This is important as I don't want to get mowed over by
> motorists or harassed by the local law enforcement by
> running a light.
You're allowed to proceed with caution through
malfunctioning stop lights, though making that
determination and proving it to the policeman who pulls
over could be tricky.
--
I do not accept unsolicted commercial e-mail. Remove NO_UCE
for legitimate replies.
On Sun, 04 Jul 2004 02:17:39 GMT, "Sticker Jim" <me@here.com> wrote in
message <7NJFc.2114$fFI1.168@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>:
>Just about all the lights where I live operate (roughly) on
>the principle that they register changes in the magnetic
>field in proximity to the wire buried under the asphalt. As
>a bike doesn't have enough metal in it to register a
>noticeable change,
For the older ones. Newer ones can (and do) detect bikes. In
the UK, if the lights don't change you can go through them
on red (they are technically defective) - check your local
traffic laws.
Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk (http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/)
88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at
Washington University
"Chuck" <pmprod@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:29643-40E75B3D-607@storefull-3133.bay.webtv.net...
>
> I live in Nashville TN., and ride an EZ-3 trike. I keep
> getting hung up at intersections by red lights that
> won't change.
>
> Is there any device that can be purchased that will cause
> the traffic lights to change?
>
> This is important as I don't want to get mowed over by
> motorists or harassed by the local law enforcement by
> running a light.
>
> Chuck
I have no idea if this works but you could try it
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?model_ID=0&Cat-
egory_ID=8&manufacturer_ID=262&product_ID=1707
One thing to try to do is look for markings on the pavement
where the light sensor is located. By this I mean sometimes
the road construction people will cut a hole in the pavement
to mount the sensor and then patch it so you are looking for
a big rectangle.
When you stop on your bike, try and stop on the edge area of
the cutout. Usually at the spot the coils are starting to
reverse and hence are more dense, meaning a greater chance
of triggering the light.
If there is no clear rectangle form on the road from placing
the sensors, try and stop where a car's wheels usually would
touch the pavement.
One last thing. It is my understanding that if you have
stopped and the sensors are not triggering the light, you
have a very legitmate claim that the the light is
malfunctioning and after stopping, you could proceed with
caution through the intersection.
Bob Krzewinski
pmprod@webtv.net (Chuck) wrote in message news:<29643-40E75B3D-607@storefull-3133.bay.webtv.net>...
> I live in Nashville TN., and ride an EZ-3 trike. I keep
> getting hung up at intersections by red lights that
> won't change.
>
> Is there any device that can be purchased that will cause
> the traffic lights to change?
>
> This is important as I don't want to get mowed over by
> motorists or harassed by the local law enforcement by
> running a light.
>
> Chuck
Chuck,
Some guy makes a magnet that attaches to a bike. I'll see if
I can find the link. Problem is that I can see this working
on a DF with the low BB, but where to put it on a Bent?
Slow Joe Recumbo
pmprod@webtv.net (Chuck) wrote in message news:<29643-40E75B3D-607@storefull-3133.bay.webtv.net>...
> I live in Nashville TN., and ride an EZ-3 trike. I keep
> getting hung up at intersections by red lights that
> won't change.
>
> Is there any device that can be purchased that will cause
> the traffic lights to change?
>
> This is important as I don't want to get mowed over by
> motorists or harassed by the local law enforcement by
> running a light.
>
> Chuck
Here's one product:
http://www.tricktape.com/product.asp?3=177
Joe Recumbo
On Sat, 03 Jul 2004 20:19:57 -0500, Chuck wrote:
>
> I live in Nashville TN., and ride an EZ-3 trike. I keep
> getting hung up at intersections by red lights that
> won't change.
>
> Is there any device that can be purchased that will cause
> the traffic lights to change?
This page explains how the traffic sensors work:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question234.htm
In theory you could activate them with a lump of iron or
ferrite (a black substance made of powdered metal bound
together with resin) as well as with a magnet. My guess is
that it would be best to mount the metal as low as possible
- perhaps on the forks.
I wonder whether steel-framed bikes have less problems than
aluminium bikes? It also helps to cycle through the loop
(that can be seen by the rubber markings on the road) rather
than to one side of it.
> This is important as I don't want to get mowed over by
> motorists or harassed by the local law enforcement by
> running a light.
>
> Chuck
Hi Joe: Carry it attached to string and drop it out of your
pocket when you need
it. Big problem with Aero no steel to make em change after
getting screwed once I then go thru them when it is
safe. Old Microwave magnatron Magnets are very strong
also about 2" in diameter and a whole in the middle.
Bill M Swamp
--
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental
illness,"
"Joe Keenan" <jkeenan7@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:5fe0f312.0407041833.48d97a1c@posting.google.com...
> pmprod@webtv.net (Chuck) wrote in message
news:<29643-40E75B3D-607@storefull-3133.bay.webtv.net>...
> > I live in Nashville TN., and ride an EZ-3 trike. I keep
> > getting hung up at intersections by red lights that
> > won't change.
> >
> > Is there any device that can be purchased that will
> > cause the traffic lights to change?
> >
> > This is important as I don't want to get mowed over by
> > motorists or harassed by the local law enforcement by
> > running a light.
> >
> > Chuck
>
> Chuck,
>
> Some guy makes a magnet that attaches to a bike. I'll
> see if I can find the link. Problem is that I can see
> this working on a DF with the low BB, but where to put
> it on a Bent?
>
> Slow Joe Recumbo
bill marsh wrote:
> Hi Joe: Carry it attached to string and drop it out of
> your pocket when you need
> it. Big problem with Aero no steel to make em change
> after getting screwed once I then go thru them when
> it is safe. Old Microwave magnatron Magnets are very
> strong also about 2" in diameter and a whole in the
> middle.
>
> Bill M Swamp
>
Stop with your tire over the painted dots or on the line
formed when they cut the pavement to insert the loops.
I find they react better the faster I approach and
stop on them.
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