I'm kind of late to the discussion, but would like to make two points. 1. As far as the magnets, yes, they do work - sometimes, despite the scorn heaped on them in online reviews by the so-called "experts". The sensors are a buried coil that detect a disruption in the electromagnetic field they generate as current flows through them. A large metal mass in their proximity will disrupt the field. A strong magnet, moving across the coil will induce a slight current in the coil resulting in the same effect. (This is the same principle that allows your generator to create current.) There is evidence from some users that a stationary magnet directly above, and close enough to the coil will also be detected. The different opinions are due to the variability in use: moving vs stationary, stationary over the coil vs in the center of the coil (seems to not work), proximity to the coil, etc. The magnet should be mounted on a metal part of the bike, low. The commercial products are coated with an epoxy or plastic to protect them from the elements, but any strong neodymium magnet would work.
2. Here in MN, law allows motorcyclists to proceed through a red light if they have waited a reasonable amount of time. The state sponsored riders training even provides students with a copy of the statute to carry on their bikes in case they run into an officer not familiar with the law. The law is: MINNESOTA RED LIGHT LAW Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 169.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: Subd. 9. [AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE RELATING TO UNCHANGING TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL.] (a) A person operating a motorcycle who violates subdivision 4 by entering or crossing an intersection controlled by a traffic-control signal against a red light has an affirmative defense to that charge if the person establishes all of the following conditions: (1) the motorcycle has been brought to a complete stop; (2) the traffic-control signal continues to show a red light for an unreasonable time; (3) the traffic-control signal is apparently malfunctioning or, if programmed or engineered to change to a green light only after detecting the approach of a motor vehicle, the signal has apparently failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle; and (4) no motor vehicle or person is approaching on the street or highway to be crossed or entered or is so far away from the intersection that it does not constitute an immediate hazard. Moontoad On May 7, 12:24 pm, Kyle Munz <[email protected]> wrote: > I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but do those little magnetic > doodads you put on the bottom of the bike do any good at all or is their > sole function to separate a fool from his money? > > -Kyle > > > > On Sat, May 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM, Minnesota Blue <[email protected]> wrote: > > My solution to lights that won't change for me is to put the bike in > > neutral, put it on the kickstand, and walk over to push the pedestrian > > crossing button on the pole. It usually changes the light within 30 > > seconds or so. > > > MN Blue > > > On May 7, 9:11 am, Paul <[email protected]> wrote: > > > *When I had my Nighthawk 250 there were a few stop lights around town > > that > > > my little 250 frame just would not trip. If there was a car behind me I > > > would inch forward hoping they would do the same and trip the detector. > > If > > > there was no car behind me and nothing coming, I would wait until it was > > > safe to go and then do so. * > > > * > > > * > > > *Paul* > > > * > > > * > > > * > > > > Paul LeBoutillier <http://www.facebook.com/paul.lebout> > > > * > > > > On Fri, May 6, 2011 at 6:04 PM, Noah Goodall <[email protected]> > > wrote: > > > > Virginia just passed a law that allows motorcyclists to run red lights > > > > if they've been waiting for over two minutes. > > > > >http://www.brucedeming.com/blog/new-virginia-law-allows-bikes-and-mot. > > .. > > > > > This is definitely one law I want to print out and carry with me in > > > > case I get pulled over. The article gets it wrong about weight. > > > > Traffic signals detect you by size. The video cameras see your shape, > > > > and the in ground detectors measure the amount of metal above them. > > > > What I don't understand is why this law doesn't apply to bicycles, > > > > because they have the exact same problem. It's doubly funny because in > > > > some parts of the state, mainly Northern Virginia, the light changes > > > > every three minutes by design, so you could essentially run the light > > > > every time! > > > > > Sorry to geek out, but I'm a transportation researcher who studies > > > > traffic signals. And I'm in Virginia. This is a big story for me! > > > > > -- > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > > Groups > > > > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > > > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > > . > > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > > > [email protected]. > > > > For more options, visit this group at > > > >http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. > > > > -- > > > * > > > > Paul LeBoutillier <http://www.facebook.com/paul.lebout> > > > * > > > * > > > * > > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > [email protected]. > > For more options, visit this group at > >http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.
