Red Light Jumping (but different to the normal ranty stuff)

[morrisman]

Mrs Morrisman wanted to go to Windsor to take photos last evening so I loaded the bike in the back of the car for a pootle around. Riding up Alma Steet I come to a set of lights that were on red and I stopped, the lights then cycled to allow the cross traffic to go, then to let the approaching traffic go with a filter across me, so that's all fine, must be my go next. But no it went green for the crossing traffic again. It then dawned on me that the lights had not sensed my presence so were just ignoring me and I may have died there before it went red or at least until a car joined me.

So I went across against the red

How do you trigger lights in this situation?

 

[Rob3rt]

I would just do as you did! There is a set of lights just outside of our club 10 HQ that have this issue, I just wait until it is safe and then go.

 

[puffinbilly]

Simply answer is you can't - I have a little gizmo that I use to change the lights to green as I approach, works every time

 

[HLaB]

I forget what the rule is but I believe after a certain period you are allowed to assume that there not working (not detecting) and proceed.

 

[Mile195]

I seem to remember there's something in the highway code that allows jumping of a red light if they are not working (although the last time I looked at that was 1997!). I can't remember what the rule is - probably something about waiting a given number of minutes before assuming they aren't working.

 

[HLaB]

How do you trigger lights in this situation?

If there's inductive loops you might be able to ride over them to trigger the lights or take a central position to trigger a microwave sensor but if they are not sesitive enough/ not working no amount of this will work and if present you can push the ped button and cross as a ped and if not proceed with caution.

 

[Tim Hall]

Rule 178 of the Highway Code

You MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing. Only go forward when the traffic lights are green if there is room for you to clear the junction safely or you are taking up a position to turn right. If the traffic lights are not working, treat the situation as you would an unmarked junction and proceed with great care.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 36

If the light isn't detecting you there's a good case for saying it isn't working. IANAL thobut. Complain to the local authority to get them adjusted - I've had success with this approach. Meanwhile, if they're induction loop lights a black rectangle in the road shows where the wires are buried. Ride so your wheels go along the wire, rather than crossing it, giving a better chance of the loop detecting you. Steel bikes are better than plastic and soot bikes at this.

 

[RWright]

I have a problem triggering a couple of lights close to my house. I either cut through a business parking lot or wait and go across when everything is clear. I have read you can put a magnet on the bottom of your shoes to trigger them. I forget the type I saw suggested to use, I haven't tried it.

 

[themosquitoking]

I saw a video somewhere where someone attached strong magnets to the bottom of the bike, they tripped the induction loop good.

 

[Sara_H]

I have one of these lights on my route that only turns to green if theres a car waiting. It's a retail park (cycly path feeds in to car park), and the shops are generally closed when I pass through so no cars! It leads to a busy dual cariageway, no way I'm going through on red!
Theres a ped crossing a few yards up, so this is one occasion where I blatantly ride on the pavement and press the button go across the crossing and then get into the flow of traffic. If theres peds about (there usually aren't) I get off and walk.

 

[morrisman]

Thanks all!

 

[Sittingduck]

I saw a video somewhere where someone attached strong magnets to the bottom of the bike, they tripped the induction loop good.

Could be dodgy if you ever have to cycle across a level crossing.

 

[themosquitoking]

Could be dodgy if you ever have to cycle across a level crossing.

Rule 5???

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Could be dodgy if you ever have to cycle across a level crossing.

Theres a few of them around here.

 

[summerdays]

I complained about a set of lights and after about 18 months they changed the setting. It was fine most of the time as I normally rolled up with traffic, but every now and again it would be quiet and I'd suddenly realise I was sitting there and not getting a green light!

It took so long to get fixed that even now a year after I am likely to look for following traffic if I arrive with no vehicles there.