How to Get a Green Light
There are 3 ways to get a green light at an intersection.
- Don’t do anything.
Larger intersections like the one on Bryant and the Oregon Expressway have motion sensor cameras that can “see” you.
The large black arrow below is pointing to the camera. If you are in the middle of the lane waiting at an intersection, the sensor camera should see you and change the light when it is your turn.
2. Bicycle Stencils
Some intersections have the symbol for a bicycle painted at the intersection. If the bike rider waits on top of the stencil they can be noticed by sensors that are either in the ground that can detect metal in the bike.
3. Press The Button
Some intersections have button signals that are close to the curb. You shouldn’t have to get off your bike to press the button to cross the street.
In some situations, there is no bike button to push and the street is so big that you might not feel comfortable riding in the middle of the lane to be detected. One student mentioned this problem when crossing El Camino Real on their way to Ellen Fletcher Middle School. In this situation, push the pedestrian signal button and wait to cross until the pedestrian signal is lit. Walk your bike through the crosswalk for extra safety and visibility. Before crossing, make sure right-turning cars see you and have stopped to let you cross.
Do you have any questions about anything we have covered up to this point? It helps us to know your school, but we don’t need to know who you are.
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