Council eyes easing bikers' wait times at red lights

ROCHESTER - If you’re a motorcyclist who lives or travels through Rochester and have found yourself standing at a red light for what seems an eternity until a car comes up behind you and the light finally turns green, you’re not alone.

What happens is the trigger mechanism in the plate beneath the pavement isn’t sensitive enough to pick up the presence of your bike, so you have to wait until a car comes up behind you and trips the signal.

Well, just so you know, the city’s Public Works Department feels your pain. They want you to tell them if you know of any such intersections that are holding bikers up.

Interestingly, some states actually have laws that allow for motorcycles to run a red light. A 2006 Wisconsin statute says motorcyclists and bicyclists can go through red lights if they believe traffic signals aren't picking up their presence, if the intersection is free of cross traffic and if they've waited at least 45 seconds. A similar law was passed in Illinois.

Meanwhile, Rochester Police Captain Paul Toussaint said while there’s no such statute like that in New Hampshire, law enforcement uses discretion in such cases. 

Compounding the problem is that traffic in Rochester can be so heavy, a motorcyclist could go a long time waiting for a safe window in which to pass through an intersection where the lights are not functioning properly.

The problem came to light on Tuesday at the City Council’s regular meeting during Councilman David Walker’s summation on Safety Committee concerns.

One of the downtown intersections most troublesome to motorcyclists is the turning lane from South Maine Street onto Charles Street by the former Royal’s Pizza.

But it was learned there are many on-signal stop lights throughout the city that are not equipped to pick up the smaller-metal mass of a motorcycle.

Many people believe it’s the weight of the vehicle that triggers the mechanism inside the plate to turn the signal green, but it’s actually a magnet that detects metal mass. Public Works personnel have the ability to adjust the sensitivity level in the mechanism so that a motorcycle will trip the light appropriately.

If anyone knows of any such lights that are not being properly tripped by a motorcycle they are asked to contact Rochester Public Works to get them fixed.