Stuck at a Red Light on a Motorcycle | Laws & Issues

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PODCAST-Ever been stuck at a traffic light that takes an excruciating amount of time — what feels like hours — to turn green? Imagine that as a daily occurrence. That is what it’s like for some motorcyclists/bikers due to sensors at some intersections that don’t recognize when lightweight vehicles arrive. During the last legislative session, a new section was added to Chapter 46.61 RCW in Washington State that allows the operator of a street legal motorcycle to make a left turn, after stopping at an intersection that is controlled by a triggered traffic control signal, if the device fails to operate after one cycle of the traffic signal. Other states have had laws for some time and they are often referred to as “Safe on Red Laws”.

Safe-on-red laws vary by state on how they address the issue, but they all include basic instructions on how one can legally run a red light. In general, the guidelines say motorcyclists must wait at the light for a predetermined amount of time and then only proceeding through the intersection if it’s free of cross traffic or pedestrians.

States with “Safe on Red Laws” are listed here:

Arkansas – In effect since 2005, state law allows a motorcyclist to proceed with caution, after coming to a full and complete stop, through a red light that fails to detect the bike. (Arkansas Code section 27-52-206)
Idaho – (2006) If a signal fails to operate after one cycle of the traffic light that a motorcyclist may proceed, using due caution and care, after coming to a full and complete stop at the intersection. (Statute 49-802)
Illinois – (2012) Permits a driver of a motorcycles or bicycle facing a red light that fails to change within a reasonable period of time of not less than 120 seconds to proceed after yielding the right-of-way to any oncoming traffic. However, this law doesn’t apply to municipalities of over 2,000,000 people – such as Chicago. (625 ILCS 5/11-306)
Minnesota – (2002) A person operating a bicycle or motorcycle who runs a red light has an affirmative defense if the driver first came to a complete stop, the traffic light stayed red for an unreasonable amount of time and appeared not to detect the vehicle and no motor vehicles or people were approaching the street. (Statute 169.06)
Missouri – (2009) State law tells both motorcyclists and bicyclists that run red lights that they have an affirmative defense if they brought their vehicle to a complete stop, the light was red for an unreasonable time period, and there were no motor vehicle or person approaching. (Statute 304.285)
Nevada – (2013) Those using motorcycles, bicycles, mopeds, and tri-mobiles are allowed to proceed through an intersection with a red light after waiting for two traffic light cycles, and they yield to other vehicle traffic or pedestrians. (Statute 484B.307)
North Carolina – (2007) Motorcyclists are permitted to move cautiously through a steady red light after coming to a complete stop and waiting a minimum of three minutes and if no other vehicle or pedestrians are approaching the intersection. (NCGS 20-158)
Oklahoma – (2010) Motorcycles can proceed cautiously through a steady red light intersection after a making a complete stop and if no other motor vehicle or person is approaching the roadway. (Statute 47-11-202)
South Carolina – (2008) After making a complete stop and waiting for a minimum of 120 seconds, the driver of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle may treat a steady red light that doesn’t change as a stop sign and proceed with caution. (S.C. Code 56-5-970)
Tennessee – (2003) After coming to a complete stop, motorcyclists and bicyclists may proceed through a steady red light when it is safe to do so. (Tennessee Traffic Control Signals 55-8-110)
Virginia – (2011) Drivers of motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles may move with caution through non-responsive red lights as long as they yield the right-of-way to others approaching the intersection, and have come to a complete stop for two complete light cycles or 120 seconds, whichever is shorter.(Statute 46-2-833)
Wisconsin – (2006) A motorcycle, moped or bicycle is permitted to run a steady red light after making a complete stop and waiting at least 45 seconds and then yields the right–of-way to any vehicular traffic or pedestrians using the intersection. (Statute 346.37)

In early 2013, Nebraska introduced Bill LB 85 proposing a safe-on-red law, but the bill currently has a status of “indefinitely postponed.”

Cell Phone Motorcycle Mount:

We want to remind everyone that we did a complete review video and blog on cell phone motorcycle mounts from Power Sports US. We really like the mounts and if you order a cell phone or GPS mount please consider using our Power Sports US AFFILIATE LINK and we get a small kick back, which helps keep the content coming your way.

Harley Davidson Ride Planner App Review:

(listen to this podcast episode to get the full review)

So, I strongly encourage all bikers/motorcyclists to use the free Harley Davidson Ride Planner, regardless of what make of motorcycle you ride, to route and map your next motorcycle ride. Everyone can access Harley Ride Planner on the main Harley Davidson website. You just need to set up a free user and password and you are on your way. I did a complete Harley Ride Planner tutorial video on using the ride planner some time back & it has become very popular. In this [tutorial video] you will learn how to completely plan a ride with Ride Planner, save it, download it, and upload it into your Harley Davidson approved GPS system.

There is also a free smartphone app that Harley puts out for free. The app can be useful if you don't have a GPS, but after thoroughly testing it we found some real drawbacks.

If you save your rides online they do show up on your mobile app, which is pretty cool. There are listed turn by turn directions that you can read too. You can zoom in on your ride and see the route and it looks similar to Google Maps. Additionally, it shows all your way points and the addresses in the list view. It even has a little social media aspect and you can show the community particular restaurants you were at.

The Ride Planner app has some serious flaws, like being completely inaccurate on the mileage to your next way point. And it tends to change that mileage figure when it wants. So, we would have to jump over into Google Maps when planning the next day and put our current location to the next way point location to get the actual mileage. Also, it lacks voice turn by turn directions. However, I doubt Harley will change this as they want you to purchase their GPS units or buy a new Harley model with the all new built in Boom Box Infotainment system.

I do love the Harley Boom Box system that is on my 2014 Street Glide Special and I did a very thorough tutorial video on how to operate that system. That video is super popular, so check it out.

Here are several Law Abiding Biker videos that you may be interested in on motorcycle ride planning, GPS Boom Box operations, and updating your Boom Box software:

Emails

1: Robert Nelson of Bend, OR

This is my second time visiting your site, seems to get cooler each time I take a peek! I plan on purchasing your video on installing heated grips. I like your logic for choosing HD brand but I'm not impresed with their selection. Are you aware of other brands that use similar technology (not a fan of Heat Demon-in the bar element). I like the Avon all black “air cushion” style. HD's all black version reminds me of my stock grips (2013 Road Glide). I look forward to learning more about your MC.

MY RESPONSE:

Very cool bro & thanks for your kind words. On our way back from our 7 day motorcycle trip we came back through Bend. We had a few frosties at Deschuttes Brewery. Of course I had to stop by Goodies and get my girls a bunch of candy to bring back. Anyways, unfortunately nobody else really has the same technology on heated grips. I too do not like the Heat Demon in bar elements. I think they are junk and you have to put a separate box on your handlebars. For some reason good quality heated aftermarket grips are hard to come by.

2: Listener Gary Kreamer

Bought new tires off the internet for my 2006 street glide. I guess that was a big mistake because no one around here {shops] will take off and install. Want you to buy from them. [ I understand now ] Not sure what to do now. Watch your video on you tube and afraid I might screw up. Been only riding 1 1/2 year from a 25 yr s of not riding. Lost.

My response

I have purchased tires from the internet many times. Just find any bike shop, not a Harley Dealer, and they will do it for a small fee. All bike shops have tire machines and know how to remove/replace tires/wheels.

Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up!