Stuck On Red (Traffic Lights)

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.

Quoted message said:

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 said:

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.

Quoted message said:

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.

--
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legitimate replies.

On Sun, 04 Jul 2004 02:17:39 GMT, "Sticker Jim" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

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

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University

"Chuck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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&Category_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

[email hidden] (Chuck) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

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

[email hidden] (Chuck) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

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

Chuck said:

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.

Quoted message said:

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" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Chuck) wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

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 said:

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.