Chevy57

Illinois motorcycles and bicycles will be allowed to run red lights starting in 2012, but only in certain instances.

Motorcycles and bicycles often aren’t big enough to trigger magnetic sensors that switch traffic lights from red to green, WBBM Newsradio’s Alex Degman reports.

That could mean the riders either break the law and run the red light, or wait until another vehicle comes along.

Bikes | Traffic Laws | Chicago | The Daily Caller

Deafness

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purplecatty

Same here in Kansas state. They just passed same new law regarding this. I have ridden through red light several time. That ONLY if you actually stop at red light and don't see any vehicles left and right of lane. Then you CAN ride through red light. New law of course required to apply COMMON SENSE!!!.

I sure hope that Bikers don't just breeze through red light and incoming car on left or right lane have green lights. I'm sure Law describe that you must STOP at Red light FIRST and look both lanes, If there is NO vehicle on either sides then PROCEED through Red light

Usually it's a mantras for all Bikers that the should NEVER trust anything or anyone but to obey all traffic laws and watch out for drivers as well as animails including Deers. Look ahead of while you ride..

Catty

audiodef

Great. Another example of a need to fix things done the wrong way. How about... um... fine-tuning the sensors? We can have door sensors open if a rat runs by, but we can't have traffic light sensors detect a motorcycle? Really, people?

Banjo

Correct me if I'm mistaken, aren't the lights supposed to automatically change after two minutes?

The Highlander

All depends. Some of them 30 seconds, 1 minutes, even 5 minutes. I don't think motorcycles like to stand and waiting for over two mintues. It's pretty waste of gas for engine idle.

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Tousi

Same with cars, lol.....point here is often motorcycles cannot trip the magnetic strip to change the traffic lights.

Banjo

So they all really have to do is to re-calibrate the traffic lights.

Tousi

Explain what you mean. Recalibrate for timing/duration, etc or sensitivity of the magnetic strip.....

Banjo

The signal timing could be re-calibrated so people won't be kept waiting for an eternity at the lights.

They could easily improve the sensors, aka the induction loops though too as well. They just have to fine-tune it. Have you ever noticed the induction loops that they install in the roads?

Tousi

I doubt they are programmable or that it is cost-effective. As for the other, I believe light changing patterns are set for typical daily traffic flow so I don't think motorcycles would usurp this......and in any city over a million people this wouldn't be allowed because chances are there are enough cars around to trip the lights for motorcyclists.

Banjo

Traffic lights are programmable. Otherwise, why would they have buttons for the pedestrians to press? A lot of traffic lights have timers built in even with the induction loops in the road. The timers can be re-calibrated. Most lights don't last any longer than 2 minutes.

In a large city, it wouldn't make any sense to have the induction loops. They are usually operated on timers instead.

The Highlander

Do you have any idea how much cost for improve the sensors for just the motorcycle? I don't think induction loops will works very well for the motorcycle. It's make sense why new illinois law passed.

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Banjo

I'm not suggesting that the induction loops be replaced nor improved. However, I did say that that they can be improved too, they even have some specifically designed induction loops for bikes. They are shaped like brackets. I have seen them and they do work.

Anyway, it would be better to just re-calibrate the timers which are built in the traffic lights. It's more cost-effective this way instead of ripping the loops out of the road.

Grummer

motorcycles??!! what about V8, v12 cars? trucks, buses? anyone?
unless you're talking about big bore 2 strokes....but thats rare on US roads...plently in UK...apart from that motorcycles takes bugger all gas at idle...

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Banjo

Funny, isn't it?

I'm being treated like an alien for suggesting that they re-calibrate the timers in the traffic lights. Go figure.

Tousi

I already pointed that out to him; no redeeming value in rubbing his nose in it.

whatdidyousay!

When I am trying to made a left turn I have to wait forever for the lights to turns. I read in an AAA paper about how to save gas and one way was to drive your to the trigger magnetic sensors to made the light turn green. I live in Massachusetts so I guess you can get the red to turn green faster by driving closer to trigger magnetic sensors. I do this and I am really not sure ifworks or not.

The Highlander

I never said motorcycle's engine. I said engine idle. Why should i made a list like I4, I6, I8, car, That's silly. Just type "engine" and that's it. So V8, V12, trucks, buses are engine. Same thing.

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audiodef

That's what I said. I don't see what the big deal is.

audiodef

Not to mention safer than allowing people on wheels to run red lights for any reason. We're going to be hearing about accidents now. That's guaranteed.

dereksbicycles

In Chicago, you cannot make a left turn on red light. In Grand Rapids, MI, you can make a left turn on red light. It varies on different states.

I know that in a lot of place in Chicago and surrounding areas, you cannot make a right turn on red light. Period!! Other areas, you cannot make a right turn on red light from 7 am to 7 pm.

I can understand why they put up those rules in Illinois area, but yeah, I agree that it is waste of idle use if you cannot turn right or left if no other vehicles are around.

Banjo

Why would people be allowed to turn left on a red light?

dereksbicycles

I don't know why Michigan allows it. I guess there aren't as many cars there as Chicago and how road is designed.

Tousi

Because the lights are already calibrated for other and better reasons than for motorcycles.

Banjo

What other and better reasons? They aren't there to look pretty, you know.

Tousi

Who is talking about looking pretty? You are.....

Banjo

Careful, your eyes could get stuck up there. Besides, I asked you a question.

Tousi

Nothing wrong with my eyes. You can check that smarminess at the door. Answer is up there in post 10.

Angel1989

Here in CA there are lots of motorcycles due to the weather. All, or most of our traffic lights have cameras on top. I don't really know how they work, but when a car or whatever pulls up it sees you and changes the light when ready. They work thats all I know!

Tousi

I live here in CA and have had motorcycles; now a trike. However, I'm not seeing what you are getting at. Please clarify.