Running red lights?

[Ted]

I've got a bit of a problem... I tend to socalise in a town about 25-30mins away from where I live, and on part of the route I need to go through a small village. This village has a set of traffic lights because the road is only wide enough for 1 lane of cars. The traffic lights seem to work on a sensor, picking up either movement or light (not entirely sure how they work), instead of working on a timer. During the day time the sensors pick up my bike with no problems at all, however, during night time its a bit different! I've tried the usual tricks that work in a car; flashing main beam, rolling backwards and forwards, etc, to try and get the sensor to pick me up... and nothing happens!

So, I find myself running the red light to avoid sitting there for eternity!

How likely do you think the old bill are to do me for this? Even if I can show them that the traffic light's sensor doesn't pick me up?

How do these sensors work? Is it movement, light, or a mix of both?

Has anyone else had trouble with similar traffic lights and found a soulution?

Finding an alternative route is a bit out of the question...

[McGee]

[Itchy]

ask them to increase the sensitvity? (council) I was waiting at a light for ages once with Gman after about 8 minutes I ran the light,

or buy a steel framed bike, my NTV has no problems with this sensors my ally CBR does though.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Ted]

I think I'ld prefer to be able to filter than run lights! Except for this one single light that is!

I think my bike is steel framed... I know the lights get a bit funny even if I'm in my car, but if I roll the car back flashing the main beams it picks me up... Just dosen't work on the bike!

Would it be Highways that deal with the lights?

[yankeedoodle]

my best mate (dudeskin) had the same problem a few months back. he was riding his fs1 (before he had passed his test) on at night when he was the only one around, he found himself sat at lights for a full 5 minutes sometimes. even then, that was when a car came and waited behind him.he considered running the red light a few times but I don't think he did.he seemed to think that the sensor could be weight/pressure related and his bike (being a small,light 50cc) didnt set the sensor off.

in a seperate incident, while being driven to the bus station at 2 in the morning (I was catching a coach to the airport) the taxi driver would flash his lights when he approached a red light. he said he'd helped build the lights and that they had light sensors at the top that could sometimes be triggered by flashing your lights. can't remember if it worked or not, but a couple of interesting theories for you to ponder
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Bandit 600

[Pete.]

[Pete.]

[Ted]

I must admit, I always thought it was done on a light sensor, but what about during the day, it would have to be a movement sensor... But can that pick up light at night time?

I never thought about sensors under the road...

My bike weighs in at around 123kg (dry)
Plus me at around 82.6 (when I'm feeling light)
would make it... 205.6kg

Plus any petrol (12ltr tank = 28kg of fuel apparently), plus any kit, lid, leather jacket, etc...

So we're probably looking at about 250kg...

Would that be too light?

[Trill]

Had to send a letter to my local council to get the sensitivity changed for some lights in bedford, would get stuck there for eternity as unless you sat in *just* the right place it wouldn't pick up the bike, 2 weeks later it was all sorted (result!)

Also the traffic lights in another town near me do change as soon as you flash them with your lights, but they're the only ones i've found that definately do.
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Chrome don't get you home but it sure makes you look good pushing it there.
First bike: RS125 - Current bike: GSXR600 k6

[MattHirst]

I am led to believe that you don't have to wait at temporary (ie roadworks) traffic lights. Although i was told that no-one was told about this as it could lead to confusing insurance claims and stuff.

Does this law still stand or is it now illegal to run a temporary red light?
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[Jamie S]

A strong magnet in your left boot and swipe it over the sensor a few times.


I read some were that it can help.

[McGee]

Yes cause I want to walk around with a limp Jamie
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[Ichy]

[Stelmer]

Don't think those road sensors measure weight as vans and trucks are too wide to runover them.

I think they are induction loops. Try a hefty magnet on them......might work.

[MattHirst]

I always thought that the sensored ones work off that lil camera thingy on the top of the lights?

There are 2 sets near me, that go over 2 bridges (weak bridges my arse) and they always see me, day or night.
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[Ichy]

Doesn't need a magnet, just a big lump of ferrous metal.

Like Itchy said, report it to the highways department of the local council. They can adjust it.

[Finglonga]

As the others have said report the lights to the council or if temp to the contractors that own them.

Induction loops in road pick up movement as stated on loads of posts before. But the ones with sensors on the top pick up Movement and sense when something is approaching, pushbikes can set those off if set up correctly.

Oh and don't bother flashing your lights at them it wont do sweet F.A. apart from making you look a right twonk.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[MarJay]

Keiths usual advice to this question is "Ride up to them faster".

This is because the induction is a function of mass of ferrous metal and the velocity of the object.

Less mass means you need more speed to set them off!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[D O G]

[Tarmacsurfer]

[Jamie S]

I mean in the sole (sp?) of your boot.

[ncrn]

I have this problem with the lights in my town center, at 5:40ish there isn't anyone about so I have to get the sensor to trigger when I approach. I find that if I wait and leave braking really late and do a near emergency stop it will set of the sensor. Something to do with more force being applied to the road?
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[Pete.]

[Philious]

I had this ages and ages ago on my old 50cc moped, it was 1am and i was riding home, only i was actually sat for a full 15-20 mins and the landlord of the pub next to the traffic lights opened his bedroom window and proceeded to spout abuse.

To end this I popped the bike on the centre stand and walked to the traffic lights and pressed the button for the pedestrian crossing, and legged it back.

I think what annoyed the landlord more was the fact my exhaust had a big crack on the weld which holds the can to the pipe, and hence it sounded like a 50ft tall angry wasp lol
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Previously; Honda XR125 - Yamaha DT125r - Aprilia Rs125 - Suzuki GS500e, Currently; Kawasaki ZX6R + ZX10R
Theory : Passed 28/7/09 Module 1: Passed 21/09/09 Module 2: Passed 23/09/09

[ncrn]