Stuck at Traffic Light - Scooter Not Detected by Street Sensors

[DanH]

I like this guy's YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Vwpo_Xbgk

He dispenses common sense motorcycle logic and does great reviews. Worth a browse.

In the embedded video above, he suggests attaching small magnets to the undercarriage of your scooter - this will help the street sensors detect your ride, therefore reducing the risk of getting a traffic ticket for impatience.

The intersections in our neighborhood are a mix of cameras and under-pavement sensors. I'm never sure which has which sensor, so I'm often stuck in a left turn lane doing jumping jacks on my scooter seat (to trigger the camera) or rocking fore and aft on the tires (to trigger the magnets).

How do you folks avoid getting stuck at a traffic light when the sensors don't see you?

[john grinsel]

Wait a couple of cycle, then run the light if safe looking.

[CROSSBOLT]

When John Grinsel and I started riding (back when they had wooden frames and two small wagon wheels) the traffic light sensor was a heavy, rubber rectangle in the street surface that was some pneumatic pressure switch, I think and MAYBE a Harley woul trip it but nothing else! I tried the magnet thingy one our previous scoots and it does NOT work! Do like John says and go when safe after the second light sequence. Make sure you leave room when possible for a car to trip the coil (if you can see where the coil is...).

[monkeybongos]

Make a right turn if there's not a long line of vehicles coming the other direction (and right on red is legal), then U-turn when safe, then another right at the original intersection.
Won't always save time, but allows you to keep moving.

[john grinsel]

And call your state governor's office to complain!!

[Stig / Major Tom]

I think there is a time period after which a safe turn is permitted. ( I did this once dead in front of a deputy sheriff! )
I pull to the curb with blinkers on and wait for a car, then pull behind him. I do this every day....on W/E corner muffler shop is closed...so I go through then turn left.
(I first ran into this in SoCal 52yrs ago.)
Or, like John said, send a letter of complaint to your politician on Jupiter.
Stig

[CALtd-SLO]

I had this problem on signal to leave our housing area. Then a painted bicycle appeared on pavement 6 ft from curb. I stop on that and no longer have signal issues.

[Tromper]

I've had good luck flashing the camera lights with my brights a few times, particuarly since I changed out the halogen headlight for LED, & some luck using the kick stand to trigger the magnet ones.
I've also used the bike sensors as noted by CAL.

Far as waiting a couple cycles goes.  They actually promulgated that as legal a couple years ago around here.
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.184

One of the few sensible bike laws I've seen 'em make 'round these parts.

[Forbes1964]

When John Grinsel and I started riding (back when they had wooden frames and two small wagon wheels) the traffic light sensor was a heavy, rubber rectangle in the street surface that was some pneumatic pressure switch, I think and MAYBE a Harley woul trip it but nothing else! I tried the magnet thingy one our previous scoots and it does NOT work! Do like John says and go when safe after the second light sequence. Make sure you leave room when possible for a car to trip the coil (if you can see where the coil is...).

I remember two intersections where there seemed to NEVER be a car needing to make a left turn at night when I was around. I remember waiting Three or four cycles thinking that when it allowed a left for the car facing me, it would eventually allow me to make a left. I was wrong . I simply began to allow one cycle at those intersections and run the light if safe.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[CaptonZap]

Most of the ones around here have a button for the pedestrians mounted on the light pole, so I jump off and punch the button a few times and run back to the scoot and wait for the light to change.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Most of the ones around here have a button for the pedestrians mounted on the light pole, so I jump off and punch the button a few times and run back to the scoot and wait for the light to change.

That's pretty exciting when crossing 4 lanes!
Stig

[klaviator]

There are several intersections around me where I know the sensor won't detect my scooter and change the light.  I just plan a right turn followed by a U turn and another right.  It's a chance for me to practice my cornering technique and adds a some fun to my ride!