Some 30 years ago I was at a "loop detector" signal on my bike (small side street to a main street). Knowing my bike didn't have the mass to trigger, I dismounted to press the walk button. Got a ticket for abandoning a vehicle on a public roadway.

As a traffic signal technician, I can confirm that Ari is spot on. Great video!

I once had a cop just tell me to go at one, pulled up beside me and was like, "Just go man." Apparently, particularly at night, most cops understand that motorcycles can treat them as stop signs in the right circumstances. Virtually no cop will hassle you for "running" one, as long as you stopped and looked.

Being the type of rider who rides very late at night most times due to work, (around 1-4am) I've gotten stuck at far too many red lights that simply refused to turn green whenever I pulled up. The fact that it would be so late at night, there was practically never anyone else around in a vehicle big enough and low enough to the ground that would trip the sensor so I'd end up having to detour through adjacent parking lots just to make it past a stuck red light lol. This video helped a lot and at least now I know what to do to get those stupid lights to turn green at 2am 😂

I remember I was riding early in the AM and as I pulled up to a light (this one by me it takes forever to turn green even with a car). I knew I would be stuck. As I rolled up, the attendant working on the light itself saw me, gave me a thumbs up - and manually changed the light for me. Gave him a thumbs up back and yelled out, "thank you!" Simple but one of the nicest gestures I've received as a rider. Ride safe, all.

Pennsylvania signed the “Ride on Red” law July 20, 2016, originally intended for motorcycles but applied to all motorists that get perpetually locked at a red light. It went in effect 60 days after signing so it’s in effect today. No amount of cycles of the light but the rider/driver must ensure safety. They basically said it isn’t a free pass to run a red so exercise caution and it’s mostly intended for rural areas where other traffic is less frequent to help trigger lights.

I have actually worked in a municipality for 15 years in our sign/signal division (I however do signs 99% off the time) and you’d be AMAZED at how many calls a week we get where “lights aren’t cycling” almost exclusively with cars though. ALMOST ALWAYS it’s because a car didn’t pull up enough to trip the censors. As someone that’s new to motorcycles I never knew this was a problem. Thanks for the video.

Coming home after a late shift I had a traffic light (with a red light camera) that often gave me issues. More than once I jumped off the bike and hit the pedestrian crossing button to get a change. After several complaints the Transport Dept eventually tweaked it, a week before I moved house and it was no longer on the road home.

I just ran them as I am old and time is too precious...I will give this a try. Thank you. Gotta say after a hard weeks work, a quiet Saturday morning, strong cup of joe and a new Shop Manual video brings a smile to my face...

The problem with double loop detectors from someone that wrote software for an asphalt paving company producing a traffic light solution in the early 1990's is that the earths own magnetic field isn't constant and is ever changing. There is background magnetism that is ever fluctuating. Thus, the double loop helps to cut down on false tripping. But the sensitivity needs to be above the highest background magnetism for the entire year, or you have someone going out every few days to adjust it. So, if you are a smaller motorcycle 600cc's or less, move to the center of the loop and stop and start your bike. It will register. I know. I wrote the software for it using my own Honda Hurrican 600 (now CBR 600). This software is mostly used in the Southeastern states from Texas to Virgina.

Nice. I'm glad you mentioned the last part about contacting your city. I can't remember how I found that bit out it was so long ago, but I've found the two cities that I've contacted over the years about the loop detectors have been very responsive and helpful. One of them responded right away after submitting a request online. They can adjust the sensitivity remotely. They were like, try it now and let us know it it is OK. 😀

This is a problem for people who ride bicycles as well. I've used a method that might be tricky with a motorcycle, but I thought I'd share anyway. Tilt the bike to the side in order to bring it closer to the sensor. With a bicycle you can bring it almost flat with the road before anything beyond the tires contact the ground. This has worked very reliably for me. Not sure how much of a tilt you can achieve with a motorcycle practically. I found a parking lot with a gate that was triggered by the same sort of in ground loop. It worked well as a testing setup because the gate would open the moment the sensor was triggered. No need to wait for a signal to cycle. I would lean my bike down and the gate would immediately open up. Very satisfying.

I usually take a right on red (if allowed). But honestly, I'm rarely at a light long before a car rolls up. In my state, you're not supposed to run the red until you are confident that you've missed THREE cycles.

I've Installed loops for many parking systems. The best way to get it to work is put the kickstand down. I always used a small aluminum clipboard to test loops. Metal as close to the surface of the road will be the best trigger. We had issues with many lifted trucks and jeeps not triggering them. Best rule of thumb is the loop inductive height is 2/3 the length of the smallest side of the loop. I.e. if the loop is 3ft by 5 ft the field created would only rise 2 ft above the loop.

It’s ironic how many people look for guidance or permission on when they’re “allowed” to move freely around this world based on a colored light hanging from a pole. If a traffic light is malfunctioning and there isn’t anyone around, just go. The purpose of a traffic light is to regulate the traffic flow safely. Once a traffic light becomes defective, it’s up to the driver to use their ‘common sense’ and good judgment making skills to determine when it’s safe to proceed. What I love about riding dirt bikes off highway is that there are no traffic laws. You must be very aware of your surroundings at all times, making you a better rider overall. Bottom line, a colored light or painted strip of concrete doesn’t always dictate when you can or can’t proceed.

As an IT guy that used to commute in DC on my bike I used a couple of high power neodymium Hard Drive magnets wrapped in duct tape and zip tied to the bottom of my lower cowling. Worked great.

If it goes through a whole cycle, and its still red, as long as no other vehicles are coming, just run it. Thats what i do. Pennsylvania's Ride on Red law allows for any vehicle (car, bicycle, motorcycle, even a horse and buggy) to proceed with caution at an intersection if the traffic signal is malfunctioning or if it's vehicle-detection system fails to recognize you.

I started revving at the light. I found that, as long as you rev high enough to charge the stator(^3500 RPM on my bike), it creates enough EM to trip the light.

Here in Auckland there will always be someone coming up behind you soon, What I doo is stop forward of the line so the car behind me can stop over the sensor,,, sometimes they don't, so I have to signal them to roll closer so they can set off the light... We know all about the signals... the lines in the road are very visible to us, but many people in cars think it's all about timing, and don't understand that there are sensors in the road, and the best part about that is that when THEY stop over the line, it triggers another sensor that takes a photo of their car and they get a ticket in the Mail!

I've also had this happen in military trucks. Most, not HMMWVs, sit high enough that they won't trip older/ out of tune sensors. Then we get to do the Baghdad boogie by blocking traffic and running the light.

Happens ALL the time. I run the SOB.

When I've been trapped in a gated community that my bike wouldn't trip the auto open exit gate, I have found that applying a little extra front brake a little late (causing more force on the front tire) would trip the switch. Not recommending to always do that, but it's worth a try if you're stuck. Funny story. I was stuck at a red light in the middle of the night. After waiting about a minute, I proceeded through it. Well, there was a cop hiding across the intersection. Pulled me over. I explained why I went. He said, "you should've made a right, then a u turn". So I replied, "I should've looked left to make sure it was clear, then proceed, then look at traffic from the other direction to make sure it's clear, then proceed?" He said, "exactly". I said, "exactly". After an awkward silence, he nodded as if he understood how what I had done was basically the same thing he suggested, he said, "be safe".

So glad live in Arkansas and can go through the light. Been stuck at them riding a dirt/street bike and it is a pain so glad I seen this!

This presentation was outstanding. We have less of a problem with this in the UK, but it still manifests here and there. Now I know a few tips on what to do if it does. Thank you.

Also the automatic gates, as a delivery driver I got stuck once inside a private residential area, I had to jump over the gate and input the gate code from the outside for it to open.

My go to 3 methods are in order 1. Lane position 2. Get the car behind to move up closer 3. Get off my bike and hit the crossing button for the green side making my red turn green. But lane position works 99.9% of the time

Another workaround, but varies based on traffic and road design, is to turn right on the red, u-turn, then turn right again (if wanting to go straight). If turning left, you could do the same move, but instead go straight after your u-turn and through the green light.

Excellent, informative video. Thank you, Ari !

I just read Utah’s motorcycle manual in preparation for learning to ride and it says that you can run a red if it refuses to turn. “ An operator of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle, who is 16 years of age or older, may, after bringing the vehicle to a complete stop at the intersection or stop line and determines that the traffic-control signal has not detected the operator’s presence by waiting a reasonable period of time - and not less than 90 seconds at the intersection or stop line - proceed across the roadway if there are no other vehicles or pedestrians near the intersection."

Pennsylvania also has a dead read law. Although it's called "Ride on Red" and it is more broad - it allows for any vehicle to run a red if it's malfunctioning or the sensor isn't detecting you.

I’ve also found some success with rocking my bike back and forth (as if you’re starting to engage the clutch) to help trigger the sensor. Great tips though!

I drive a big semi truck, and one time I was stuck at one of these stupid lights. The cement truck ahead of me got sick of waiting, and I watched in amazement as he got out of his truck, and strolled over to the walk button. He pushed it and strolled back and the light turned green. Magic!

This is more prominent at night. If I'm turning left or going straight, sometimes is less stressful to just turn right, and make a U-turn.

I usually get off the bike and hit the pedestrian crossing button, this gives you time to get back on the bike as typically the pedestrian light will go green before the traffic light ! Also a great way to stretch the legs on a longer ride 😜

Great video! Just started riding and there's one light by my house that never changes for me. Gonna go test some of these methods. Cheers

I live in South Carolina and I rarely have the patience to wait anymore. If there aren't cars around, including behind me, after I stop, I go. If there are cars around and the light is long, I'll take a right and then safely U-turn, and I can usually beat the wait. There are so many people here that use that tactic in cars and on motorcycles.

Good info. I've found some on my usual route that are more sensitive in one lane than the other. Sometimes a car comes and the driver stops way behind the sensor. I try to wave them forward and they just stare and look puzzled. Some if not most car drivers have no idea what makes lights change.

Where I live they usually use infrared sensors. We still have issues though sometimes. I have found that if you run over and hit the pedestrian crossing button it will turn the light green. Although this is rarely needed.

the camera work by long beach airport was beautiful! great job guys

This happened to me & it sucked! So thanks for the pointers. I’m glad states know about this issue.

This literally happened to me yesterday. Perfect timing of the video👍🏼Anyhow I always look forward to a Shop Manual

Excellent advice, I found out about stopping in the correct position over the inductive loop about 20 years ago, and when I started doing that, I didn't have any more problems. Motorcycle Consumer News printed a very comprehensive article on this subject quite a while back. They tested a bunch of the gimmicks that are sold promising to help, and NONE of them had any effect at all, they even put a Green Light Trigger directly on top of a loop and it still didn't work. They also talked to a engineer that worked for a company that made traffic control devices and he said a magnet won't trip a signal.

Often wondered about that. Thank you!

Simplest solution is to put a couple of those cheap block magnets from Harbor Frieght on the bottom of the frame... Worked great for me on my Honda Shadow. Magnets induct a current in the coil and set em off. Usually a lot better than other traffic, which means you get to go sooner.

One trick that wasn’t mentioned that my buddies and I do is hop off the bike and press the crosswalk button to get the light to change 😜

As someone who rides daily, I just treat these situations like a stop sign and run the light. Where I went to college, it was legal to do so on a motorcycle. (If in a low trafficked area)

Thanks for sharing… I have always been one of the people thinking that there were pressure sensors of sorts in those cut areas of the pavement. One technique you missed… simply jumping off the bike (or having your lady do so) and run over to press the crosswalk button. I’ve had the wife do that a time or two.

Great video as usual!

I've run the light, I've backed up and moved to the right and done right on red to keep moving too. Today I learned I can run them after a spell, being in Virginia. Thanks!

I used to have this problem a lot, but I've noticed that giving my bike a little rev usually solves the issue. But there are some lights that just don't work no matter what I try.

This is a really nice information!!! Thanks!

I always ran the lights, being careful of course. A lot of my riding buds used to stick magnets under their bikes, I never bothered. Police also never cared if they saw use run reds at night or day. During the day we just filtered through the lanes to be at the front, lane filtering is illegal here, but cops don’t do anything about it either. I never sat there revving my bike cuz that is just obnoxious.

Enter to win a free Kershaw pocket knife here: a.pgtb.me/W6wfPG Read more about why bikes get stuck at lights on Common Tread! rvz.la/3SNJfYi

I remember learning this in the study material to get my endorsement in Oregon, and it talked about diamond shaped and round marks on the ground, but I can never seem to remember which part to park on. I remember one was in the center, and the other one was the edge. Since you mentioned parking it on the edge of the circles I'm thinking I'm probably supposed to be in the center for the diamond ones. Might remember now after writing this.

Got stuck in Vegas once, was a ways from the strip. Sat through 3 cycles. Finally had enough saw a chance and took it while staring down a metro. He did not bother me.

I've had luck with the kickstand thing on stubborn lights. Seems like if you were going to mount a magnet on a bike to trigger lights that would be a good place to put it. Make it a really strong magnet and your bike is also safer to park on ferries or anywhere else with a metal deck.

Great video and information. I would feel safe proceeding through a red light that won't change but I'd like to be sure there isn't a traffic camera recording doing it, where I'm going to get a ticket in the mail the next week. What also stinks is when you're first at the light and a car/truck pulls up behind you, but too far away to trip the sensor. Gesturing at the oblivious drive to pull up further is just about as exasperating as the stupid light sensor itself.

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 lane placement is my go to, but i will absolutely run them after two cycles. Funny enough it never even occurred to me to fall them in.

I worked at the same Motorad that I bought my new Triumph from, we glued neodymium magnets under all our bikes and sales bikes. No problems at street lights any more.

I'm not a traffic technician, but I have installed mostly camera detection systems around here and most of what I see is the same not electromagnetic systems in the ground. The camera is pointed at the first vehicle spot closet to crosswalk or stop bar and once three vehicles or up to 5 have pulled into the spaced dots in the monitor screen inside the traffic box next to the intersection they turn solid white and then a count down starts, then the light changes.

I just deem the signal as defective, and treat it as a stop sign. I spend WAY more time on a bicycle than on a street motorcycle (Mostly ride track) so this is WAY more of a problem on my carbon bicycles. Also, treating them as a stop is way more difficult on my bicycle since I can't clear the signal as fast, but oh well. But yeah, the loop hole around the law is that you have to stop, determine the light to be defective (just as if it was flashing or blank), then proceed when it is safe

This doesn't happened to me very often, but when it does I wait a reasonable amount of time then run the light when it's safe to do so. Unless it has a red light camera.

Excellent. Most people still think it’s pressure sensitive. If a loop detector wire is ever cut, they replace the entire length of wire. Apparently splices affect the EMF. Where all the loop wires are gathered together and make the final stretch to the control box, that is called the Home Run.

Thanks for the info!! I live in Virginia, moved there couple years ago... And I usually get stuck in a traffic light when I work late... At the end I cross it but I feel bad about it but not anymore 🙂

This is more likely to happen at night or just low traffic hours. Check properly, and run the light. Even if a cop sees you he probably also saw you waiting endlessly for the light and should be understanding.

In the UK the traffic light setup is slightly different, they sometimes have movement sensors that bikes just don't trip, I find a quick flash of my main beam headlight just before I approach the red light most often trips it to change the light.👍

Thanks for posting this i was wondering why it took so long for the light to change when I was sitting at a light the other day and there were no cars around.

A motor cop in San Diego told me once that his rule of thumb is wait around 90 secs and if intersection is clear then safely proceed. Or wait for the lights to cycle at least once and hope the next cycle triggers your light and if not, proceed through when safe. This video is very helpful and I've always said that this situation forces riders to break traffic laws but I understand if ticketed even after waiting, are easily dismissed if appearing in traffic court. Years ago, then California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who's an avid motorcyclists attempted to pass a bill that would replace all existing sensors with newer motorcyclist friendly sensors but not sure how far he got with that.

Thank you for the suggestions guys :). Bemuses me we're still relying on 60+ year old technology for the greater grids we transgress through Metros. Our Main Roads Authority here in Western Australia at least are very quick to recalibrate the sensors on any report.

this happens to me even in a small car sometimes. my solution has always been to back up a little bit, stop and then inch back up to the stop light. obviously moving a bike backwards isnt as easy as a car, but if the intersection is completely dead it may be worth a try. has yet to let me down a single time

You could also make a right on red. Then a U-turn and possibly another right on red. This could help when going straight.

My city has a lot of lights like this that I often get stuck at and my solution has been to just go right on red, then do a u-turn then go right on red again at the adjacent light. That way I'm not risking getting a ticket and I'm able to go on about my day in the direction I need to go. My other go to is to see if the light even has cameras, if not, I'm skirting right through it!

In the UK we have sensors on the top of traffic lights. Well most anyway. If there's no cars coming at night. Just flash the lights and they will change.

If it's a recurring theme with a specific light, you could approach from the right lane, turn right, flip a U at the next driveway/intersection/turn-in then another right to keep going straight, assuming the ability to make a U-turn is within a reasonable distance from the problem light.

Every day going to work . Great vid helped alot

I once had a cop hold the light for me at a super busy intersection while I was on my old cb400 waiting. He said it wasn’t heavy enough lol. But nice enough to let me through.

It's insane to me that in places where you can't turn right on red and the law doesn't allow you to proceed if the light refuses to turn green, you are legally required to sit there FOREVER. Technical shortcomings should not force me to break the law.

I've always found, putting down the side stand makes a big difference. Moving connected metal down closer and even touching the road surface. Funny how no car driver ever seems to pay any attention when you are trying to make them come closer behind you at a light so it will trigger the light...

Excellent video!

I am a professional in the Traffic Signal Industry, if you ride a bike just stay to one side of the lane or the other, this works when the signal is running with loop detectors or video detectors. It will pick you up on the edges of the zones

My former instructor here in Norway, said we could sneak ahead if it's clear to do so. He's a police at his main job, so I trust his words on that.

Any chance on a follow up video? In some places there are different types of vehicle detection devices for signals. Would be nice to learn how to beat this problem in other circumstances.

Great video as always. I want to add that Indiana also has a "dead red" law for motorcycles, provided you wait 2 minutes at the red light first.

Missouri resident and cycle rider. I've only had to go through a red light twice in my life here, both in the same part of town; never had an issue doing that. I'll wait at least a couple of minutes before I start to question if it's going to turn.

Ari and Zack were two of the finest motorcycle reviewers out there, its really sad that we can't see their reviews anymore..😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

I was getting stuck at the same lower-traffic light almost every time. Bought a strong 1" cube neo magnet (similar to but not the same as the one in this vid), and it’s worked for me almost flawlessly ever since. Sounds like it’s not a sure thing though.

you guys did a good decision in getting him, always watched his videos on his other youtube channel

Good video!!! I have seen people trapped at these lights before... myself I still have access to my brain so use it to spot a break in the traffic and just go. Like my mom always told me "look both ways and gunnit!!!" It isn't that hard. Remember it is always safer to consider red or green lights as "suggestions" that most don't follow. Depending solely on a light, green or red, is a quick way to die in the city. If it is red and not a car in sight for god sakes man.... GO!!! If the light is green first make sure Tony Texter is not closing in on the intersection!!! : )

Good to know But in India I never had this problem as almost all traffic lights are timer based and others who do not change lights we can drive through them with just some caution

If the traffic signals are not working as intended, they are defective. Treat it like any defective sign.

Yep. Sitting duck. I used to have to pass through North Hollywood at 2 am (not the good part of North Hollywood). I would give it a short time, rev my engine, bounce in the seat, flick my high beams a few times to trip the EMS receiver, then go on through. Never got stopped. On my Road King the light trips 70% of the time.

Cycle World ran a article on this back in 1995. Turn off the bike and start it back up....It was called Tripping the Light Fantastic. Worked on my ZX7r everytime

New rider and this happened to me yesterday riding my R3. Literally waited 2 cycles of light changes. I ended up having to run a red light 🤦🏾‍♂️

Even on a bicycle I find that if I put my wheel rims directly on top of the loop perimeter, it almost always changes. I have wondered whether a coil under the bike with a circuit that detects the frequency and then emits a lower frequency, mimicking a large hunk of metal in the coil, might work.

I remember seeing that magnetic device show up on the market about 20 or 30 years ago and motorcycle magazines especially. you were supposed to put this magnet at the bottom of your frame below the engine somewhere. I even thought of taking a large magnet, larger than the one that they sell, from a speaker and putting it under my motorcycle engine somewhere.. I have a few blown speakers from my guitar amplifiers with large magnets on them laying around. I even removed a couple of the magnets and use them for screw bolt and nut holders when I’m working on things so that the screws nuts and bolts don’t go straight to China. But I never got around to attaching one under any of my motorcycles to see if that would trip certain traffic lights.. if a magnet would do that all traffic light thing, Harbor freight sells a pretty powerful magnet that is about 24 inches long. And I think they sell them for under five dollars. And it’s just the right shape to attach to a long under the engine frame tube. I have a couple of them in my garage that I use for a tool holder on the wall. That’s what it’s advertised for at Harbor freight. maybe I will try that long powerful magnet from Harbor freight.. I’ve never known anyone that bought one of those light trigger magnets years ago..so I don’t know if they work or not. I guess in books , commercials,and in theory they work perfectly, but those light sensors don’t always trigger for cars or trucks. So I have my suspicions about them working for a small magnet on a motorcycle… I will try that magnet that I have from Harbor freight to see if that will trigger that light I don’t stop at anymore if the road has a green light and the left turn has a red light. I will get back here and let you know what happens I have been hit from behind while stopped five times. One time on my motorcycle waiting at a stop sign on my commute to work. Knocked me out of work for nine months. I must say it was the most profitable paid nine month vacation of my life. But that’s not the point.. I have several intersections that they put a left turn arrow on. Traffic coming and going on one road, the speed limit is 55 miles an hour. So I’m sitting at that light, and cars / tractor trailers passing on both sides with combines speeds of at least 110 miles an hour.. many times the vehicles are traveling 70 miles an hour in both directions on that country 2 Lane Rd. So the speed differential combined is 140 miles an hour..this intersection is in the middle of nowhere.. the very defination of hooterville..The intersection until about 2018 had no traffic light, just two stop signs from the side roads…The intersection is of 4 -one lane roads.. very much like in the movie North by Northwest, where Cary Grant was waiting, and eventually ended up being attacked by a cropduster plane….they created a left turn lane for some reason from the direction I usually travel. my motorcycles do not trigger that light. Ever. I sit there, and the tractor trailers especially the ones coming from behind past me and my fairing catches that air from behind,, it’s very very dangerous for me to sit there for no reason..I can see for at least 300 yards in all 4 directions on the road I am traveling as well as left and right..I just do not stop at that light and sit there on my motorcycle, or in my car or my truck. If the light is green for the road but red for the left turn, and there is no traffic coming from the opposite direction, I do not even stop. I will take my chances in traffic court. I will take all five of my court cases from when I was rear ended while stopped 5 times, As well as the medical bills and the lost time working proof into court with me ..I will challenge the court to review my driving record, I have never had a ticket or had an accident that was my fault ever, well over 1,700,000 miles , Driving since 1968 and riding motorcycles all that time also.. I live in Pennsylvania and they made a slight change to the law. The law recognizes that motorcycles don’t always make the light change when there is a sensor that is supposed to change the light to green. I don’t know the exact wording but it sounds like it’s OK to treat the red light like a stop sign if the light has not changed for a reasonable amount of time..

Had to run a red light in virginia where I sat in a turn lane that skipped me for2 light cycles. Cop saw me, pulled me over, yelled at me, wrote me a ticket. I went to court. The judge said I was legally allowed to do that and dropped the charge. When we looked over the cop just kept his head down looking at his paper work. I smiled, thanked the judge and left.

I have actually had this happen to me in my ancient Land Rover. I was sitting in a turn lane that refused to light up for me as the loop could not detect the chassis of my truck. I did eventually wind up running the light after three cycles of red and green. While I do not ride (too many other drivers here in NJ for my tastes) it really made me aware of what bikes can go through. If the light did not detect my almost 3 tonne vehicle, what was a bike going to do?

In my state, it's legal for motorcycles to go through a red if they've waited and believe they are not being detected. (Not common knowledge--learned from a traffic-nerd newspaper column, but saved the statute for future use!)

I have never seen those circles cut into a road before, luckily I think most lights in my town are some kind of camera/ radar combo thing and they seem to work fine with my roadking and my buddy's tw200

Can confirm. Tn. Has a 45 second "dead red" exemption for bikes. After waiting 45 seconds you are free to turn left or go straight if it is safe to do so.