A few weeks ago, I opened up the BFR Suggestion Box. This is a place where the Richardson bike community can voice their opinions and suggestions about things they would like to happen in Richardson for cycling.
One of the first suggestions given to me on the Facebook group has been repeated on this blog and through email: We need traffic signals that detect bicycles. There’s nothing more annoying than pulling up to a sensor controlled light and sitting through several cycles and never getting a green to cross traffic.
Sean on Facebook wrote he would like:
1. Actuator loops with the hot spots out of cross traffic.
2. Mark hot spot so bicycles can trip lights.
My idea here is that the city update intersections as they work on them. This would take time to realize a complete bicycle friendly city but, would face less resistance as it would not require a big outlay of cash.
Bill on the same Facebook thread wrote:
I have been able to successfully trip that everytime using methods described (here on HumanTransport.org). I do wish that the city would mark where to put a bike on a sensor because sometimes it is hard to figure out when a street has been worked over several times.
I was a bit skeptical at first, but I decided to try this method of using the Inductive Loop Detectors on Richardson streets. My first few attempts didn’t seem very successful and I ended up having to get off the road to hit the pedestrian crossing button. After a while and some practice, I was able to effectively trip the sensor. Now, I’m no longer having to wait several cycles for a car to pull up behind me and activate the ILD.
Be patient. You still need to wait for a complete cycle before it’s your turn. But if you align your bike up right, it does work.
I agree that it would be nice to indicate on the road where to put your bike. I’m also hoping that with future events and group rides, we can pass on this information to other Richardson riders.