Stranded at Stoplights

Stranded at Stoplights

Every motorcyclist has likely experienced the frustration of being stranded at a traffic signal that hasn’t detected your bike’s presence. When this happens, your options are to wait at the intersection until a larger vehicle arrives to trip the signal, or take your chances in running through a red light. Gasp!

That second option can be costly on many levels, so I’ll recommend checking out this informative WikiHow article pertaining to our very plight; How to Trigger Green Traffic Lights. Now you’ll be armed with a few tricks to try the next time you find yourself stuck at a stubborn signal.

  • Mike

    In Minnesota there is now a law that if the light doens’t “trip” after a reasoanble time, it is legal for the motorcyclist to treat it aqs a stop sign and proceed through the red light. Many local police don’t even know this, so some of us carry business cards with the State Statute written on it.

  • Patrick Davies

    Here in Oregon, many traffic signals are of the type triggered by vehicle presence. These operate by sensing metal above, much like a metal detector does. I have been “caught” at this type of signal and find that if I slip my trans into neutral and briefly swing my sidestand down and up again, the sensor is able to detect the presence of metal and trigger the system that the lane is occupied. Works for me.

  • Karl

    Or just turn right, then pull a U-turn then go where you need to go. that’s what Orlando PD told me when I ran a light that wouldn’t change.