Comments on: Seeing Red

By: Poo

Poo — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:35:53 +0000

The super strong rare earth magnets do work, but you need a rather large one slung very low to the ground, and you still need to stop directly above the sensor.

I can also see how moving your bike might work, seeing as the sensor is basically a giant ‘hall-effect sensor’ that detects changes/movement in it’s own magnetic field.

By: Road Rage Radar « Beat Biker

Road Rage Radar « Beat Biker — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:56:22 +0000

[...] are riding on roads that were designed for four-wheeled traffic, which puts us at a disadvantage at sensor-based traffic lights. Even the simple act of balancing the bike can be thwarted by a careless pedestrian or curious dog. [...]

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:07:08 +0000

Thanks for the comments. We also touch on some tips that help to trigger the sensors. I tend to rock my motorcycle back and forth right over the top of the sensor marks in the pavement. It could be all in my head, but I believe that the movement sometimes helps the sensors read. We also suggest that if you are riding in a group that you try to get more than one bike over the top of the sensor.

I too would like to hear if the magnets work. I am somewhat skeptical as to the performance of these magnets but would be willing to buy one if I was convinced. Anyone out there have one and feel that they work? Drop your comment and let us know.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:24:04 +0000

I have never had this problem. In Michigan our lights seem to be timed rather than triggered. In my MSF class we were taught a couple of things.

1) Look for the lines in the pavement where the mechanism was installed and try to drive right over those lines. This may place the metal of your bike as close to the magnetics as possible.
2) Make a legal “right turn on red.” Of course, this doesn’t help if you’re in a left turn lane.

But I’ve also heard folks talk about using strong, rare-earth magnets on the bottom of your bike. Here’s a blog post with some really good discussion about that idea. I’d like to hear if this really works.