We Heard Your Feedback on Traffic Lights

February 07, 2013

We Heard Your Feedback on Washington Traffic Lights!
Tell us which lights in your area don’t turn green for riders and we’ll report them!

Last week’s blog article about a proposed Washington law (Senate Bill 5141) that would allow riders to cautiously run red lights has generated buzz amongst our readership. Turns out many of you are truly fed up with having to turn right or get aYour Browser Does Not Support iFrames. ticket. We want to help do something about the issue, so we’re compiling a list of problem intersections to send to the DOT—but we need your input!

Fill out the form on the right to report a problematic traffic light in your area. If your light won’t turn green when you’re on your bike, we want to know about it. We’ll be taking your submissions straight to the DOT, thanks to a tip from one of our readers, George K.

George wrote:
“In response to your article on red light traffic laws and detection of motorcycles, please let people know that, although this new law will prevent us from getting tickets, it doesn't correct the problem. You can and should complain to the Public Works department of any city or the WSDOT about WHERE the light isn't detecting your motorcycle. The law requires priority corrective action on these complaints. I've used it to complain about 4 lights, and all 4 were fixed within a 3 week period.”

George directed us to the Washington State Legislature’s website, which states that:

“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. Jurisdictions operating existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals shall establish and publicize a procedure for filing these complaints in writing or by e-mail, and maintain a record of these complaints and responses.”

That law is current—so when we submit your complaints to the DOT, you will see a resolution. As one of the leading motorcycle gear retailers in the country, we’ll stand up for our riders and their rights on the road. So help us help our riding community and report a weak traffic sensor through our form.

George wasn’t the only one to share his advice last week. We received some very insightful feedback from other readers as well.

Brian A. emailed us this advice:
“I ride a motorcycle on the street and have had this issue many times. I talked to a guy whom I work with at Redmond City Hall about this. What he told me is that the sensors in the road in front of the traffic lights are circular in shape. Most motorcyclists, me included, believe that being in the center of the circle will work for them when in reality if you pull up to just inside of the edge if the circle where the signal is the strongest, that will activate the lights sooner. “

Bruce S. posted on Eagle Leather’s Facebook page:
“Thanks for emailing the article about the Red Light sensor issue. Do you know that the left hand turn lights in front of the 7/11 next to your store are not activated by a motorcycle? I have waited there a few times and finally bailed.”

Justin B. also posted on our Facebook page:
“I watched the feed while SB 5141 was being discussed in Olympia. One point that was expressed during testimony is that these devices occasionally fail. In such a case, it does not matter if you have a magnet on your bike.”

We promise to keep you posted as we learn more about Senate Bill 5141 and the related riding ramifications. Until then, let’s work together to keep the roads fair for riders. Report a problem traffic light to Eagle Leather!

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