this morning..i was stuck in a major intersection for quite a long time...waiting to make a left...it went through 4 long light cycles, but the bike and myself was not heavy enough to trigger the sensor...and, there were no cars (early morning)....what are the laws?...(i'm in california)....can i just run the red and go?....

 

I thought those weight sensor lights were an urban myth ?

At least I've never seen one...

Anyway I wait for either 2 or three cycles then just go if I get stuck at a light.

 

I wait 2 cycles and go.. It's super annoying.

 

after 4 light cycles....and, this was a red light camera intersection (flash and video recorded)....it was a big intersection....i gave up on making the left...just went straight on the regular green...kept going until i found a regular left turn with no lights or sensors....i looped back around....was a hassle...

 

I believe the sensors are magnetic, and not weight. Some kind of loop in the pavement. I've found the "right" places to be in several intersections, and sometimes it helps me to roll the bike around back and forth and to the side until I find "the spot."

In Idaho, I understand that a motorcycle can proceed through the red if the sensor light is not triggered, when safe, and after the lights have went through at least one full cycle. Unsure of your CA laws.

 

a lot of time they're magnetic sensors.. Look on the ground and you should see the square perimeter.
Try this - go to the corner of the square, kick your kickstand down and lean it on the ground. Usually that's enough to trip the sensors.

 

A fix would be to add lots of STEEL farkles, also any aluminum bits that can be, should be replaced with STEEL. As an added benefit your bike would better trigger inductive loops. You may use more fuel but some of that would be offset by less fuel wasted sitting at lights that aren't changing or having to detour as you mentioned.

 

I use that trick sometimes.. Not sure if it works because cars always seem to pull up when I'm chilling on my sidestand..

 

I have heard that if you stick a rare earth magnet to the bottom of the bike it will work. If you ride on the sidewalk you can press the buttons….

 

I do the kickstand down and blip the starter. Also I think they are more sensitive closer to the inside edge of the loop than in the middle.

Never a sidewalk here when I need one to ride on:-(