"Trigger Green Traffic Lights"

[jpaul]

My understanding is that it has nothing to do with magnetic fields from the vehicle. Rather it is simply a matter of interupting the electromagnetic field of the inductive loop. If you haven't triggered the light, chances are you just need to move closer to or farther from the loop. Any metal, not just iron, should do.

PS: I believe MCN published an article on this very topic in the last 12 months. It was very informative and they worked with a city and their engineers to get the real scoop.

You are correct in that the detectors work by sensing the interruption of the electromagnetic field of the inductive loop. A magnet will have a greater effect on that field than another piece of metal with the same mass. Iron and steel will have a greater effect than aluminum. I've had some success by positioning my bike so the crankshaft is directly over the loop, as close to the corner as possible. This should maximize the effect that my bike has on the sensor, but if the sensitivity is set low enough it still won't trip the light.

 

[MelodicMetalGod]

You are correct in that the detectors work by sensing the interruption of the electromagnetic field of the inductive loop. A magnet will have a greater effect on that field than another piece of metal with the same mass. Iron and steel will have a greater effect than aluminum. I've had some success by positioning my bike so the crankshaft is directly over the loop, as close to the corner as possible. This should maximize the effect that my bike has on the sensor, but if the sensitivity is set low enough it still won't trip the light.

Agreed. However, the real issue is the sensitivity of the sensor. If there is a sensor that is truly suspect, the best (and least costly) course of action is to contact whatever governing body controls the sensor and aske them to adjust it properly.

 

[82Shafty]

There is a light like that by my house and I have had to blow it several times.


Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[MelodicMetalGod]

There is a light like that by my house and I have had to blow it several times.


Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

I've blown a static red light exactly once. Waited for about 5 minutes on cold rainy night after 1 am, no other traffic anywhere...except for one car that was about 1 mile away when I finally decided to roll against the red. Result: 1 ticket. The car that I saw so far away was a cop. He pulled up at the next light and wrote me a ticket in spite of my explanation. And cops wonder why they don't have more fans!!!

 

[RevRoy]

I used to be a cop, and I never stopped a biker who ran a red light. I knew whey there were running it. I was a motor officer, and I personally knew of several traffic control lights that would not react to a Harley. The citizens used to wonder why the wheel cops ran certain red lights.

I have found that lowering the center-stand works on some lights but not on others. On the others, I simply treat them as a Stop Sign. If you have to run a red light because it will not sense your bike, and if a cop stops you, the question to ask is, 'How long do I have to stay stopped?'

If you plead "Not Guilty," in my area the judges ask what happened, then dismiss the ticket.

 

[crabtrap]

I sat at a light at 4:00am for 5mins! so finally i want through,right across the street was a cop (i did not see,but he watched me the whole time) he pulled me over searched my bike (pulled seat)
and flat bedded it to impound.so be careful

 

[carzar252]

there are a few lights that I am finding in reno that muck up my riding time to time. my buddy works for the city and he gave me some tips (he rides too)

1. if there are camaras on the light post get in the center of the lane, that helps.
2. if there is an octagonal cut out on the ground in the lane, get right over it.
3. if that shiza doesnt work, be carefull and go for it.
4. watch out for the fuzz.

 

[Matchless]

Some more interesting views here: http://www.diylife.com/2007/09/24/trigger-your-very-own-green-traffic-lights/

 

[spyug]

For a cheap source of the magnets used in the commercial green light triggers found in the M/C mags and of the same type as mentioned in that article grab a defective computer harddrive. Crack the case and you will see a platter (the disk) with a stylus (writing arm) poised over it. The contraption looks like an old record player. Where the arm is fixed to the drive casing are two opposed magnets. Unscrew the fitting and remove the magnets.

The magnets are affixed to metal brackets which you can trim away to suit your fitting to the bike frame or center stand.

If you don't have a defective drive stop in at the local computer repair store they will have a ton of them lying around and you should be able to get one for cheap.

Recycle...reuse....words to live by.

Cheers,
Spyug.

 

[seekinsoul]

For a cheap source of the magnets used in the commercial green light triggers found in the M/C mags and of the same type as mentioned in that article grab a defective computer harddrive. Crack the case and you will see a platter (the disk) with a stylus (writing arm) poised over it. The contraption looks like an old record player. Where the arm is fixed to the drive casing are two opposed magnets. Unscrew the fitting and remove the magnets.

The magnets are affixed to metal brackets which you can trim away to suit your fitting to the bike frame or center stand.

If you don't have a defective drive stop in at the local computer repair store they will have a ton of them lying around and you should be able to get one for cheap.

Recycle...reuse....words to live by.

Cheers,
Spyug.

I never thought of that. I have at least one dead HD lying around (hard drive, not the other HD, lol). That will save me a few bucks, which is always good

 

[t3rmin]

By the way, I've used the pull way forward and utilize the cage behind you technique a few times now. Unfortunately there's not always a cage behind...

 

[BrainBucket]

And riding with traffic, I find that some drivers will stay so far back from my bike (at least they showed some consideration, right?), that I was stuck up at the induction zone with cars waiting behind me and a light that wouldn't change. I inch up past the stop line and motion the driver to move up right behind my bike. That freaks'em out. Some have no idea what I'm trying to get them to do and keep as far away from me as possible.

I get off, and give them the speach. It really messes with them for a second, till they get it, but they're blocked in, so what can they do? It gives them the best "boy do I feel so stupid right now" expressions you'll ever see!

 

[bonanzadave]

Go to the farm store and get a couple Cow Magnets. Slap them on your center stand.

 

[argonsagas]

Go to the farm store and get a couple Cow Magnets. Slap them on your center stand.

Will this not attract the H-D crowd, along with more bulls...?8-[

 

[t3rmin]

What the heck is a "cow magnet" supposed to be used for?

 

[Dogma]

What the heck is a "cow magnet" supposed to be used for?

Just like an aluminum magnet. Used for advanced tipping techniques.

Ok, maybe not. From what I understand, you shove this down a cow's throat. It stays in the first stomach and traps any nails, fence staples, or other sharp magnetic things that might harm the cow if it goes further. Apparently, they sometimes Hoover these things up while munching grass.

 

[t3rmin]

Ok, maybe not. From what I understand, you shove this down a cow's throat. It stays in the first stomach and traps any nails, fence staples, or other sharp magnetic things that might harm the cow if it goes further. Apparently, they sometimes Hoover these things up while munching grass.

Hey that's just what my one-year-old child needs!

 

[Guest]

In the motorcycle class, they said that it was legal to go on a red light if you are certain that it is a sensor light, and if you have been there for 45 seconds or more. In Wisconsin anyway..

My dad has worked for the WI DOT as traffic electrican for 30+ years, his crew is often requested to adjust the loop sensitivty. They are happy to do it, but often people don't know who to call. Sometimes people seek the local TV "special investigative" news channel reporter to help so he gets on TV to explain how the systems works and tweaks it accordingly.

So for the SE Cheeseheads you can call the office in West Allis (Hawley Rd) and ask for the electrical shop.

 

[Zooks]

After waiting 7 minutes for the light to change (32nd and Sheridan - for Colorado people), I told my passenger to, "hold on a second", put the kickstand down, got off the bike and pushed the pedestrian "Walk" button. ...She thought it was pretty funny.:-D

Ooh, I gotta try that one...

Even funnier if you ride up onto the footpath (sidewalk). LOL

 

[Guest]

And riding with traffic, I find that some drivers will stay so far back from my bike (at least they showed some consideration, right?), that I was stuck up at the induction zone with cars waiting behind me and a light that wouldn't change. I inch up past the stop line and motion the driver to move up right behind my bike. That freaks'em out. Some have no idea what I'm trying to get them to do and keep as far away from me as possible.

Yeah, I've seen that, most of the time, in fact. I suspect that the natural gesture that indicates "motion the driver to move up right behind" is a little suggestive. I guess you need a sign that says "No, I'm not soliciting anything illegal."