New Law in Illinois for Motorcycles at Red Lights

[Hef]

If you have ever sat at a red light and your bike didn't trigger the device to change the light, then you probably did what I have I done. You waited for traffic to clear and than proceded on through the red light. As of January 1, 2012, it is now legal to do just that in the state of Illinois. Thank you law makers for a common sense law.

The new law:
Motorcycle Red Lights (HB 2860/PA 97-0627): Allows motorcyclists stopped at a red light to proceed through the light if, after waiting a reasonable length of time, the red light fails to change to green. Governor Quinn issued an amendatory veto to change the language of the measure, however both the House and Senate overrode his changes and the bill became law as originally passed.

[bscrive]

Although, I have never had that problem with the valk, it is a pain in the butt when I had smaller bikes.  I usually got off and hit the crosswalk button if there was one.  I can see this getting abused though.  Bikers will use it to run red if there is no leo around.

[Momz]

The Red Light law was passed by putting pressure on the IL legeslators by ABATE of IL, the AMA and the MRF.

Check out their websites to se what they have done for all riders. You may consider sitting in on a local ABATE meeting to find what else they are doing for you.

[Jess from VA]

Passed here in VA too, but it requires you to wait like two complete lite cycles..... I don't wait that long.

[Ricky-D]

Same type law was passed here in SC a couple years ago.

It doesn't seem to be abused and it really empowers the bike riders by removing the risk of a ticket.

I use it pretty much since there are a lot of traffic lights like that!

***

[Michael K (Az.)]

Although, I have never had that problem with the valk, it is a pain in the butt when I had smaller bikes.  I usually got off and hit the crosswalk button if there was one.  I can see this getting abused though.  Bikers will use it to run red if there is no leo around.

I may be misinformed but I've been told that hitting the crosswalk button only triggers the walk/don't walk sign at the next cycle. Many lights are set up with coordinating triggers so they change in relationship with other lights.

[fudgie]

Depends who determines 'resonable amount of time'. My amount of time is different then the Leo's.  Lucky for me when I'm in Ill, I'm hell bent to get to the other side. 

[MAD6Gun]

 I wait ONE light sequence. If no one gets behind me I wait for traffic to clear and then "Run" it. I Have not had that many problems with most lights however the light leading into my addition will not change for a bike,never has. In fact it would not change with my brother and I (on valks) sitting there.
 If I get a ticket for it I will fight it in court. I pay my taxes just like every car driver out there so they should be able to make lights sensative enough for bikes.
 I am relativly sure if a similar law came across  Indiana Governor Daniels desk, he would sign it. He is a rider himself......

[John Schmidt]

What I've done a number of times depends on if you can see the line in the road where they buried the sensors. I pull up to that line and put the sidestand down on it. That often is enough mass to cause it to change, not every time but a good percentage. I've even had a LEO that's hidden nearby at night speak to me on his loudspeaker, telling me to go on through.

[PhredValk]

It also works in the drive-thru at McDonalds and Tim Horton's (coffee and donuts); but it can confuse the poor attendant who has the next guy's order ready and has to start all over for you at the window.
Fred.

[Jess from VA]

I've had the bike in neutral and walked it back and forth about two feet on level ground to try and get the sensor to pic it up.  Worked a couple times, but mostly not.  And after the light obviously missed me, with a line of cars behind me, I've ridden over the line and motioned for the car behind me to pull up on my tail; that worked, if the driver knew what I was doing. There are a couple busy spots in my area I will not even get in the left turn lane unless there is a car in front of me.  

There are supposed to be magnets you can buy and stick under the bike, but I never wasted the money.

[Ricky-D]

There are supposed to be magnets you can buy and stick under the bike, but I never wasted the money.

Smart move!

They have been shown to not work at all.

***

[KSDragonRider]

We have that law in Kansas, however, the cities are allowed to decide if they will accept the law or not.. last I heard Wichita, KS had not accepted.  In the town I live in, it does not seem to be an issue. 
I have done that for years anyway, if there was no one there, i went.  Got pulled over once, i told them i thought the signal was broken, and i was off to call them about the problem..

Cop laughed and gave me a verbal warning.

[Bartman3562]

Wichita did allow this, about 2 weeks after it went effective.  Was always a problem at the light on my exit to work.  Once I bought the trike, it isn't a problem any more

[art]

I very seldom have that problem .I try to use the front brake from about ten mph while approaching the sensor strip so as to put more weight on it when I do stop.Its safe if the road is not wet with water or oil after it is the front brake an things can get a little hairy if your not careful

[Gryphon Rider]

I very seldom have that problem .I try to use the front brake from about ten mph while approaching the sensor strip so as to put more weight on it when I do stop.Its safe if the road is not wet with water or oil after it is the front brake an things can get a little hairy if your not careful

Weight has nothing to do with it.  From wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_loop):

Vehicle Detection
 
Vehicle detection loops are used to detect vehicles passing or arriving at a certain point, for instance approaching a traffic light, and in motorway traffic management. An insulated, electrically conducting loop is installed in the pavement. The electronics unit transmits energy into the wire loops at frequencies between 10 kHz to 200 kHz, depending on the model. The inductive-loop system behaves as a tuned electrical circuit in which the loop wire and lead-in cable are the inductive elements. When a vehicle passes over the loop or is stopped within the loop, the vehicle induces eddy currents in the wire loops, which decrease their inductance. The decreased inductance actuates the electronics unit output relay or solid-state optically isolated output, which sends a pulse to the traffic signal controller signifying the passage or presence of a vehicle[2].

The best way to trigger the loop is to put both wheels directly over one of the saw cuts.

[scoot]

There are supposed to be magnets you can buy and stick under the bike, but I never wasted the money.

All they ever did for me was pick up stray Harley parts. 

[Bob E.]

If a signal regularly fails to detect your motorcycle, find out who owns the signal and complain repeatedly until it is fixed.  They can be adjusted.  Be sure to find out who you talk to and keep track of when you called.  That way, if you ever do get a ticket at that particular signal, at least you can say "hey...I reported it was malfunctioning and it wasn't fixed."  I'm not sure about most states, but here in PA, every signal is owned and maintained by the local municipality in which it is located...even those on state roads.  So that is who you should call.

[Challenger]

Passed here in VA too, but it requires you to wait like two complete lite cycles..... I don't wait that long.

      Two complete cycles? If the light cycles, wouldn't you go when it turns green the first time? LOL!

[Jess from VA]

Passed here in VA too, but it requires you to wait like two complete lite cycles..... I don't wait that long.

      Two complete cycles? If the light cycles, wouldn't you go when it turns green the first time? LOL!

It never turns green for me, just skips my side of the intersection completely, or the left turn, or a right turn with no-right-turn-on-red allowed.  In urban mania, you can get stuck in busy traffic permanently (traffic never clears).... with the only way out to do an illegal U-turn (if you're lucky enough to not have a concrete median barrier).  Just another reason I hate all cities.

[Ricky-D]

In some places here now, the use of motion detectors are employed.

Seems like the same problems exist because of the low mass of bike and rider when compared to automobiles.

It is understandable to me, I think they adjust them to the least amount of sensitivity to avoid problems and recurring service calls.  All to save money.

***

[Rocketman]

I tried contacting my "local municipality", but they directed me to talk to the state.  The state directed me to talk to the locals.  No one owns any lights in Texas, apparently.  They just magically get installed by elves on Christmas eve.

[¿spoom]

Same type law was passed here in SC a couple years ago.

It doesn't seem to be abused and it really empowers the bike riders by removing the risk of a ticket.

I use it pretty much since there are a lot of traffic lights like that!

***

Likewise, it was passed here in WI around a year or so ago. Hasn't been a peep about it since, despite the usual "sky is falling" rhetoric when it was being proposed