Waiting for the traffic light

[Valkjerk]

I don't know if this topic has been brought up before but I can't see how it hasn't. I'm sure a couple of you can access it if it's there. I was reading the post about group riding stopping and going as a group and I found it to be interesting and informative. Now, back to my topic. Sometimes I have to sit through 2, 3, 4 light cycles until I am able to proceed. Usually it happens when a cage enters the "zones" sensors under the pavement. However, I sometimes check traffic and then go but would that be illegal according to some of you LEOs? They didn't write me but they did pull me over.

[RainMaker]

Some states allow "safe on red" running red lights.

http://www.carinsurance.com/Articles/states-where-motorcycles-run-red-lights-legally.aspx

[Chrisj CMA]

States/Counties are different.  Most places that have a motorcycle friendly law on the topic make it so you are supposed to wait for so many light cycles (2 or 3) and then you can go when its clear.  I have one light that is in my travels locally here that sometimes "sees" my bike and sometimes doesn't.  I wait two cycles and  90% of the time before I get through with 2 cycles a car comes up.  

I really hate it when a car pulls up but goes past the line so now we both have to wait for another car or decide when to blast through the red.  

Im not sure what the law is here by me.  I use common sense, if I get a ticket Ill claim ignorance and then fight in based on common sense.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm not patient enough for 3 or 4 light cycles. After 2 I go if no opposing traffic. I do look for cops first though  

[Gavin_Sons]

I go after the first cycle and my light doesn't turn green. I'm not very patient at all.

[Jess from VA]

We're allowed to go if the light won't change on sensors.  If I get skipped once, I go as soon as it's safe to go (screw three cycles, I could grow a beard).  There are just a couple I know of locally that won't change for me..... I stop way short and wave the car behind me around.  Mostly I get confused looks.  I have read that putting your kickstand down will trip a sensor, if you're close to it.  I think the magnets are like deer whistles.... selling you air.

[fudgie]

Legal in Ind. Ive ran them but no visable cars in the area.

[Willow]

In Kansas we're allowed to go if traffic is clear and the light hasn't changed in a "reasonable amount of time".   

Our governor has been know to ride a motorcycle.  I'm told it wasn't a Valkyrie.   

[Oss]

I have a magnet under the bike
It is good for picking up paper clips I suppose

Here if the light fails to change for me I just cross

I have called DOT many times for a certain light and it just has to be run unless
a car comes up behind me while I am waiting

I have had luck with dropping the kickstand and starting the bike sometimes on
that light by the way

[wiggydotcom]

In Kansas we're allowed to go if traffic is clear and the light hasn't changed in a "reasonable amount of time".   

Our governor has been know to ride a motorcycle.  I'm told it wasn't a Valkyrie.   

Illinois is the same except they didn't define what was a reasonable amount of time. I interpret that to mean about one minute.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

In Kansas we're allowed to go if traffic is clear and the light hasn't changed in a "reasonable amount of time".   

Our governor has been know to ride a motorcycle.  I'm told it wasn't a Valkyrie.   

Illinois is the same except they didn't define what was a reasonable amount of time. I interpret that to mean about one minute.

Same here in The Great State Of Tennessee.

[Willow]

In Kansas we're allowed to go if traffic is clear and the light hasn't changed in a "reasonable amount of time".   

Our governor has been know to ride a motorcycle.  I'm told it wasn't a Valkyrie.   

Illinois is the same except they didn't define what was a reasonable amount of time. I interpret that to mean about one minute.

I determine it to mean however is long enough to determine the switch isn't going to kick for me.  Of course, clear traffic is also required.

[LadyDraco]

In SWVA  if the light has cycle once and 122 sec have passed a motorcycle (only)
may go through the red light..  And  of course if  it's safe  to do so...
  I have  used  this once...

This is a new law  that was passed in VA for Motorcycles only....

[Crackerborn]

60 seconds and go here in WI, motorcycles only and use common sense. Supposedly, ferrous metal in a vehicle trips the sensor not weight so you would think our chrome dragons shouldn't be a problem. I wonder how some of the newer cars are tripping the sensors? 

[old2soon]

I've got some on the 4 lane that don't "see" mine or other M/Cs. IF it goes a complete cycle AND traffic is clear I go. Have NOT been stopped and talked to bout the error of my ways-YET. Common sense might help ya out. RIDE SAFE.

[Mr Whiskey]

Pretty sure Tn.'s "dead red" law is 2 min. (122 seconds like Lady Draco's).
For me, if the sensor doesn't pick up my bike then it is malfunctioning. I treat that like a stop sign & act accordingly.

[F6Dave]

In Colorado there's a law that says a 'defective traffic signal' should be treated as a 4-way stop sign.  An LEO told me that law would apply when the motorcycle couldn't trigger the light.

[IamGCW]

I the light does not cycle I turn off the bike and then start it.  The magnetic field from the starter is picked up by the loop and it usually cycles the light.  I did have some rare earth magnets (very big ones) under my V-Star but they would pick up all kinds of metal from the road.  Got tired of cleaning them and learned this trick from another rider.

Gil

[Mr Whiskey]

I the light does not cycle I turn off the bike and then start it.  The magnetic field from the starter is picked up by the loop and it usually cycles the light. 
Gil

Learn somethin' new everyday, thanks!

[Jess Tolbirt]

I the light does not cycle I turn off the bike and then start it.  The magnetic field from the starter is picked up by the loop and it usually cycles the light.  I did have some rare earth magnets (very big ones) under my V-Star but they would pick up all kinds of metal from the road.  Got tired of cleaning them and learned this trick from another rider.

Gil

i wont buy one either, especially off of ebay

[Titan]

Here's a list of the states where bikes are allowed to proceed when the light doesn't work.


http://www.carinsurance.com/Articles/states-where-motorcycles-run-red-lights-legally.aspx

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Here's a list of the states where bikes are allowed to proceed when the light doesn't work.


http://www.carinsurance.com/Articles/states-where-motorcycles-run-red-lights-legally.aspx

Interesting info. I'm surprised more states then the list haven't done anything about a law. Noticed KY is not on the list , but since living here I haven't had any issues. I always seem to trip the signal. Maybe different states have more effective sensors.