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Stuck On Red (Traffic Lights)
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 |
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#2
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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. 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 |
#3
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Stuck On Red (Traffic Lights)
Chuck wrote:
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. 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. -- I do not accept unsolicted commercial e-mail. Remove NO_UCE for legitimate replies. |
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Stuck On Red (Traffic Lights)
On Sun, 04 Jul 2004 02:17:39 GMT, "Sticker Jim" wrote in
message ers.com: 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 |
#5
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Stuck On Red (Traffic Lights)
"Chuck" wrote in message ... 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/de...roduct_ID=1707 |
#6
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Stuck On Red (Traffic Lights)
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 |
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Stuck On Red (Traffic Lights)
On Sat, 03 Jul 2004 20:19:57 -0500, Chuck wrote:
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. 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 |
#8
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Stuck On Red (Traffic Lights)
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" wrote in message om... (Chuck) wrote in message ... 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 |
#9
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Stuck On Red (Traffic Lights)
bill marsh wrote:
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. |
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