A new state law is waiting Gov. Quinn’s signature that would allow bicyclists to treat “demand-actuated” red lights as stop signs if the signal fails to change to green “within a reasonable period of time”.
The law, proposed by Illinois motorcyclists, would allow a motorcycle or bike to legally ride through a red light, if the signal fails to detect it. (Chicago would be exempt.) I personally think this would be a welcome change, but I have always advocated engineering solutions for better bicycle detection at demand-actuated stoplights – a much safer and more appropriate way of addressing the problem. The League of Illinois Bicyclists discusses this in their bike planning seminars for engineers and planners. Locally, this situation exists in more than one location, but one in particular needs to be addressed. That is the intersection of Mack Road and Route 59. That’s how it applies to our great City of Warrenville. And the Bicyclists and Pedestrian Advisory Commission has made recommendations in their Bikeway Plan that will eventually eliminate these situations.
In the meantime, here are a couple of tips for on-road bicyclists that can help you trigger traffic signal sensors: 1) position your bike over the right perimeter of the rectangular in-pavement loop detector located just behind the stop line, and lean your bike to the left (into the detector); or 2) buy and install a small neodymium magnet (available on-line) to trip the sensor. Of course, if there’s a pedestrian signal button located conveniently for your bike (rare!), you may push that.
Thanks to the Active Transportation Alliance for having bicycles added to the legislation, which originally would only benefit motorcycles
The City of Warrenville again received an Honorable Mention as a Bicycle Friendly Community for the second straight year. Congratulations, and let’s keep the momentum going! You may have noticed if you travel at all, that BIG cities and small towns are becoming more bike friendly. From beach towns in Florida to the capital of Alaska, communities across the country are showcasing their bike friendly efforts. Warrenville is moving in the right direction.