Harris wrote:
>
>
> Not a dumb question at all.
>
> First, you need to learn how to trip the sensor. You will usually see rectangular cut marks in the
> pavement where the sensor wires are located. Place your bike (vertically) directly over one of
> those cut marks. The light may not change instantly; give it about 30 seconds. If that doesn't
> work, try leaning your bike (horizontally) over the center of the loop.
Good answer. Here's a fine point I've learned.
Around here, they put in special bike-sensitive loops at a few intersections. Instead of being just
4 ft x 8 ft rectangles, the visible saw cuts have an additional line down the middle. It looks like
two 2 ft x 8 ft rectangles, immediately adjacent to each other.
I found that these did NOT work if I lined up on the outer line, as usual! I had to be on the center
line - then they detected me very reliably. So that's another thing to watch for.
>
> If the light still won't change, carefully go through the red light. THEN, when you get home, call
> or write your local traffic safety department. Explain this dangerous situation, and ask them to
> adjust the sensor's sensitivity.
Also a good idea. I've done this with good results. They may eventually get complaints, however,
because when a standard loop is turned up enough to detect a bicycle, it sometimes responds to false
signals caused by vehicles driving by in the opposite direction in the adjacent lane. Apparently a
three ton truck ten feet away looks just like a bicycle right inside the loop.
But I didn't point that out to them. I just asked that it be turned up.
--
Frank Krygowski
[email protected]