Idaho's Common Sense--sweet.

[2aRover]

A new law goes into effect on July 1:

"Motorcyclists who run red lights will get a break--sort of. A new law allows the cyclists to go through red lights if they are unedetected by the traffic signal sensor... Under the law, motorcyclists must come to a full stop, wait for the traffic ight to cycle once, and then "exercise due caution" when entering the intersection to go through the red light."

From the Idaho Statesman, June 29, 2006

[Doons]

Damn, something you would never expect from a government entity.... Common Sense ! It borders on scary for me....

[mistercindy]

That does make sense. I can't stand sitting at lights, usually left turn lanes, and basically being forced to run the light or wait for a cage to pull up behind me.

[EuroFreek]

New York of all places has a bill being introduced for the same law. As much as they tax us, I'm glad a legislator is thinking about the bikes now and then!

[scottrnelson]

There's one traffic signal in my town that won't even "cycle once" if traffic doesn't come from certain directions. It's a T intersection with normal traffic flow from the right side of the top of the T usually turning left and traffic from the bottom of the T turning right. I'll get stuck trying to cross the intersection from the left side top to the right side top and it absolutely won't change for a bike unless a car comes along to trip the sensor. Turning right and making a U-turn is also a problem because you have to go quite a ways to do that legally.

I just make sure I've stopped a reasonable amount of time, then I look around and make sure no LEO's are watching. I figure that as long as I go through the light in a safe manner, I should be able to talk my way out of a ticket if I ever get stopped for it.

[Ride_There]

We have had that law up here for a while, I use it all the time.

Its funny when I take off and the car behind me starts to go, then they notice the red light and slams on there brakes. Gets them every time.

[100mpg]

Originally Posted by scottrnelson

There's one traffic signal in my town that won't even "cycle once" if traffic doesn't come from certain directions.

Same here on Long Island. Every morning I have to run that red light. It does add a certain thrill to the morning ride to work though...

[Heath]

Originally Posted by 2aRover

A new law goes into effect on July 1:

"Motorcyclists who run red lights will get a break--sort of. A new law allows the cyclists to go through red lights if they are unedetected by the traffic signal sensor... Under the law, motorcyclists must come to a full stop, wait for the traffic ight to cycle once, and then "exercise due caution" when entering the intersection to go through the red light."

From the Idaho Statesman, June 29, 2006

you mean doing that twice today on my way to work was illegal? Seriously - I had a BPD motorpatrol guy tell me that I could do that about a year and a half ago... I thought it was kosher the whole time. Whoops

[2aRover]

I think them motorpatrol guys are on our side. They patrol my commute road (Cloverdale) a lot, and I like it. They don't take prisoners. Nice guys.

[el tortuga]

I believe NM, or at least Abq., has this same law in effect. If I remember correctly, it even applies to autos too.

I do it all the time. I guess eventually I'll find out for sure if it's legal.