Tired of waiting at lights, wondering if the sensor picks up bicycles? Sometimes we must push the pedestrian button to get a signal or even run a red light if there is no button. The Washington State Legislature passed a bill that will require intersections to have the capability to sense bicycles.
A brief excerpt: “All existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals that do not currently routinely and reliably detect motorcycles and bicycles must be adjusted to do so to the extent that the existing equipment is capable consistent with safe traffic control. Priority must be given to existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals for which complaints relating to motorcycle or bicycle detection have been received and existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals that are otherwise identified as a detection problem for motorcyclists or bicyclists, or both.” SENATE BILL 5482
How do intersection signals work for cyclists? Oftentimes you need to put your bike over a certain section of the pavement to trigger a signal – look
for a small white “T” or a small bicycle logo near the stop line or crosswalk. Keep your bike over this area – if you move, then the signal no longer senses that a bicycle is waiting and the light will not turn.
If you are waiting and you don’t think there is a bicycle detector, allow the cars behind you to scoot up over the vehicle sensors (oftentimes you can see large circular cuts in the pavement from when the loops were installed).
“LOOP DETECTORS tell the signal when a motor vehicle or bicycle is waiting for the light to turn green. Bike-specific pavement markings indicate where to position the front wheel in order to change the signal.”
