| Author | Message | ||
     Corporatemonkey |
Taken from http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/spain-fron t-row-seats-for-motorcycles.htm Those Spaniards are very motorcycle friendly, and progressive thinking. The authorities have started placing special areas in front of traffic lights for motorcycles. These areas will allow bikes to go to the front and have an area reserved for motorcycles, the way some countries do for bicycles. It's a much safer way to start from a light for motorcycles, and cars will not be hindered, since as we all know, motorcycles accelerate faster than cars. Barcelona was the first to install a special box for motorcycle, between the white "stop" line and the pedestrian crossing.  On the photo, you can see the "do not stand here" marking saying "Except Motorcycles".  Madrid followed recently, with their own version:  | ||
| Hammeroid |
That is sweet. | ||
| Limitedx1 |
that would make it way more easier to meet up with the biker three cars up for a light to light buell spanking! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Yup they're great we've got em here too, & nobody bat's an eye if you go up the cycle lane to get in front either. The French are very bike friendly generally. | ||
| Trac95ker |
That makes to much sense. I guess we won't be getting anything like that. | ||
| New12r |
That makes to much sense. I guess we won't be getting anything like that. +1000000 | ||
| Crusty |
I once got a ticket for going to the front of the line on my bike. Taxachusetts cops are not quite as progressive as the Spanish are. | ||
| Spike |
. . . and yet we *still* can't split lanes in most of the U.S. I can't help but wonder what would happen if the U.S. ever started to implement "motorcycle-friendly" plans and laws such as this. How many commuters would switch to motorcycles/scooters? How much traffic congestion could be alleviated? How much less oil would we consume overall? I don't think it would be the end-all solution, but certainly it would help if we didn't force motorcycle/scooter riders to pretend they were in little cars and sit in traffic and take up whole parking spots. | ||
| Buelltours |
when I first came to the States I bought a Suzuki Bandit and learned very quickly that the traffic clocks in this country are ticking differently. When passing cars sitting in front of a red light and moving all the way to the front of the line, people were honking at me left and right, I was even given the finger here and there. Luckily no one opened a door to "hold me back". People in the US get mad easier when being overtaken. Even by car. The polite "Standing in line" is much more appreciated in the US. Have you ever tried to board a bus in France or Spain? You really have to fight your way in. Oh well...different cultures... | ||
| Bobr |
With rising gas prices we will probably see more scooters, motorcycles, and bicycles on the road. That may result in some changes in attitude and legislation. | ||
| Ratbuell |
The "box" is very cool, but I'd be happy with a gdmf'n redlight sensor that knows a bike is sitting on it. More than once I've gotten off and pressed the "push to cross" crosswalk button. Calling DPW, at least in this area, seems to do nothing as far as getting them adjusted...and the worst offender is the light sitting outside the beer store. <sigh> | ||
| Just_ziptab |
I've noticed the last few years (locally)that stop light patterns have changed for the worse. Some lights that were red for 35 seconds are now red for a minute and a half. Even the ones that "seen you coming" (in the 6:00 A.M.pattern) that would change to green automatically if there was no other traffic........now stay red for the whole cycle of oncoming and cross lanes......WTF??? | ||
| Azxb9r |
I like the idea of the box. The biggest challenge here would be educating the motoring public about how they are supposed to work, and keeping the cars out of them. | ||
| Hexangler |
...redlight sensor that knows a bike is sitting on it... Don't know if you know this little trick, but the red light sensors that are in the pavement (in my area) are actually triggered by steel. I just put my kickstand down on the seam, and the light usually trips. If not I run them. Hex | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
the red light sensors that are in the pavement (in my area) are actually triggered by steel Thats how they all work. They detect a change in its magnetic field. I have found that if I slowly approach the "Pad" then gently rock the bike back and forth it will trip every time. | ||
| Nik |
Thats how they all work. They detect a change in its magnetic field. I have found that if I slowly approach the "Pad" then gently rock the bike back and forth it will trip every time. A change in electrical current will induce a changing magnetic field also. Just rev the engine like an •••••• or turn lights on an off.} | ||
| Azxb9r |
We have a few intersections here that are using cameras to trip the light, they work great. If only they all worked like that... | ||
| P47b |
I received a ticket for running a red because of those stupid triggers. The cop that wrote the ticket did not care that I had sat thru two complete light changes. Even after he sat and watched me.  |
