@Christopher Payne: I've heard that one, but it's a myth. A permanent magnet has little to no effect on the electromagnetic loop embedded in the pavement, beyond giving it a little bit more metal to sense. A better alternative is to try dipping the bike frame towards the pavement, providing more material for the detector to pick up.

Other traffic signals use camera detection instead, which can also go out of whack when the contrast is not tuned in, so a magnet would not do much for those intersections either.

Moreover, traffic lights should just work for cyclists without having to revert to "tricks". State law mandates that any newly installed signals accommodate bike traffic, but it is also easy enough to calibrate older ones correctly. Caltrans uses just a bike wheel rim screwed to a wooden plank, and sets it over the loop before adjusting the calibration.

Dear Mr. Payne,

Staff checked Concord Blvd/Parkside Dr traffic signal and ensured that all the loops (vehicles) and pedestrian push buttons are functioning properly without glitch and observed that this signal is operating as programmed. Please be advised that this signal is installed with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) approved induction loops (embedded inside the pavement). These type of loops works flawlessly in the presence vehicular traffic. They have limitations regarding bicycles. However, staff increased the sensitivity of the loops to the extent possible (to minimize false calls) and replaced some aging equipment at this location to maintain its continued error free operation. Please call me if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you for bringing this issue to my attention.

Regards,
Abul Hossain, P.E., PTOE
Transportation Program Manager
City of Concord
Telephone: (925) 671-3181
Fax: (925) 680-1660
abul.hossain@ci.concord.ca.us

To avoid this situation, I get off the bike and walk with it in the crosswalk, then remount the bike on the other side, riding the way I want to go.)

Or, ride the bike on the right with the green light, then stop at the corner and wait for the light to turn green in the opposite direction. At a busy intersection, this is safer than being in the middle.

Thank you for your response, Mr. Hossain, and I have now closed this report.

Brian: I agree that walking one's bike through a pedestrian crossing is an option, but hardly preferable and hopefully not acceptable as the status quo. Beyond that, a bicyclist who doesn't know that the signal is broken will sit at each light for several minutes before realizing that they are not being picked up. If this happens frequently and without proper accommodation it eventually just leads to people on bikes ignoring traffic lights completely, just as car drivers would if the lights didn't pick them up either.

If it is possible to calibrate a signal to pick up a bicycle then it is the city's responsibility to do so, and if not then state law states that the signal must be upgraded the next time it is up for replacement.