The Weight of my Wait
In an effort to help fellow blog reader Ginger find a safe and ridable route from work to home next week during National Bike to Work Week, I explored some new routes the other day. It was a bit slow at times because of traffic lights. I waited numerous times, many times praying for a car, to come and hit the light sensor to trigger the light in my favor. This isn't a new phenomenon for me. There is one particular traffic light, at which I need to make a left turn, where no matter how I situate myself on the sensor, I end up waiting for a car. My conclusion has been that I must wait because my weight isn't enough to activate the sensor. Seriously, how many women do you know who would actually wish they weighed more. . .
On Tuesday, I was in some areas that are lightly trafficked - hurray - good for cyclists - and yet felt like an idiot waiting and waiting and waiting at lights that wouldn't change and didn't even have a pedestrian crossing that I could hobble to for help.
When I got home I did a little research and found that those traffic light sensors actually have nothing to do with weight and are most times magnetic. Clearly where I was riding they are not sensitive enough for bikes. So, what's a girl on a bike to do?
Here's what my research found:
Pennsylvania Bike Laws (Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues): Rules on helmets, lights, signals, speed, brakes etc. . . Nothing on when traffic signals aren't triggered by bikes. But, the code does indicate that bikes fall under the same rules as motor vehicles. Next, I consulted the PA Motor Vehicle Driver's Manual which told me, "a non functioning traffic signal should be treated as though it were a four way STOP (emphasis theirs) signal."
The same site, PA Bike Safe, by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation lists this advice under a section called Road Riding: "If your bike doesn't trip the detector, you have to wait for a car to do it, or else you have to go through the red light. Going through the red isn't against the law, because the light is defective." Now I have a couple of sources I can cite when I need to proceed cautiously through red lights that won't turn - especially because I actually strive to ride in areas not heavy with cars.
In just doing a Google search for "traffic signals not triggered by bicycle," I found over 395,000 references of cyclists with the same issues, many of whom had actually been issued tickets. It seems that in many areas the solution is wanting you to use pedestrian crossings - a bit tough when wanting to make a left turn and seemingly counterintuitive when all other laws are written that bikes are to adhere to the same rules as cars (not pedestrians). Although I don't know the exact cost, the same PA Bike Safety Reference cited, " Detectors are made that work for bicycles, at little or no additional cost. Federal design guidelines exist for these detectors." Hmmmmm. . . sounds like it's time for some bike advocacy.
When I bought a bike to become a triathlete I never imagined where it could lead me. . .
Ride Safely. Train Smart.
-Jen
You're such a good bike buddy -- waiting (im)patiently at all those lights just to help me find a safe ride! Thanks so much! Tomorrow's my first ride home and of course, with Little League and kids to move around, in addition to my 20 mile ride home, I'll have to make a few trips around on the bike, too, since the van with bike rack will be at my office.
Wonder how many other people commute on bikes across rivers that act as state lines? That bridge at Washington Crossing is probably safer for bikes than cars since it's about 5 feet wide!
Thank you! And, one of these Thursdays, I'll have to drag you home with me! :)
Posted by: Ginger | May 14, 2008 7:49:22 AM