"Bicycles Stop on Green"

[DebW]

When riding through the town of Billerica, MA the last 2 weekends, I've seen signs that say "Bicycles Stop on Green at Line". There is a picture of a bicycle on the signs. I really can't figure out what these signs mean. Anyone live in Billerica or ride through there frequently and know? Are bicycles supposed to stop at green lights???

[DeniseGoldberg]

Deb -
Those signs have been driving me crazy for years. They make absolutely no sense from a language standpoint. And I haven't seen them anywhere else in my travels - so is it just a (stupid) Massachusetts thing?

I think what they mean to say is "bicycles stop on line, wait for green" - but the phrasing as is seems to convey the exact opposite meaning.

--- Denise

[DeniseGoldberg]

Ah, the wonders of google searches... just found this interesting link to this article about the subject: http://www.bikexprt.com/massfacil/no...rd/ongreen.htm. The answer to the question says that there is supposed to be a bicycle-sensitive loop in the pavement at those locations to indicate/force a light change. Of course it goes on to say that the loops aren't installed or don't work...

[mimitabby]

I love it!! Non functioning mechanisms with erroneous signage.
argh

[spazzdog]

the loops are probably a line item task on the Big Dig project... once they fix all the leaks in the tunnel, the state will get right on those 'bike sensitive' loops

spazz

[Pedal Wench]

Actually, the sign says
"Bicycle stop on line for GREEN", which means, to me, that if I stop on the line (with a properly functioning trigger), I'll get a green light. Makes sense to me!

[DebW]

Thanks Denise. I feel better now. I was afraid that I'd get a ticket for not stopping my bicycle at a green light. If the sign says to stop on green, can I go on red instead? Confusion is just par for the course here in Massachusetts. I used to enjoy the light on Comm Ave near the BU bridge that would simultaneously have lit a large circular red light and green arrows for straight ahead and right. Straight and right were the only possible ways to go.

edited:
I didn't rember the sign quite right. But since I saw no obvious "line" on which to stop, my mind omitted that part and it became "Bicycle stop for green". Maybe "Bicyle wait on line for green" would work better.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Actually, the sign says
"Bicycle stop on line for GREEN", which means, to me, that if I stop on the line (with a properly functioning trigger), I'll get a green light. Makes sense to me!

Actually, when you put it that way it does make sense. Unfortunately for those of us who have never seen a properly functioning trigger, the language on the sign has always been a mystery!

--- Denise

[CycleChic06]

I used to enjoy the light on Comm Ave near the BU bridge that would simultaneously have lit a large circular red light and green arrows for straight ahead and right. Straight and right were the only possible ways to go.

Deb, I think I know that light...it used to be on my way home from work when I lived in JP. I think it was meant to try keep people from turning left onto Comm Ave from the BU bridge...like a red light ever stopped a Boston driver from doing something.

I want to check out this sign in Billerica...what road were you on?

[Pedal Wench]

Actually, when you put it that way it does make sense. Unfortunately for those of us who have never seen a properly functioning trigger, the language on the sign has always been a mystery!

--- Denise

I guess "Bicyclists, Please Stop With Your Bicycle On The Trigger Lines In The Road If You Wish The Light To Turn Green" just didn't fit on the sign!

[DebW]

I want to check out this sign in Billerica...what road were you on?

The sign was on Treble Cove Rd. at Rt. 3. I guess they are in a few other places too.

[Crankin]

These signs are all over Acton, Concord, etc. I also didn't get what it meant, until recently I read about it somewhere. One of the reasons I haven't done the full commute to work from my new house is that there is this one intersection with a light that is on one of those little inclines. The light changes are triggered by cars; there's no sign there about bikes stopping. I envisioned myself there forever at 6 in the morning. In fact, during the last week of school, I saw a cyclist look around and go through the red light because he had been waiting as i was approaching the intersection in my car.
Any other alternative would add a lot of miles to my trip...

[DebW]

Just saw a new road sign in Bedford to replace the confusing "Bicycles stop on line for GREEN". This one said (if I remember correctly) "To request green, bicycles stop on [picture of mark on road]".

[DeniseGoldberg]

Deb -
I've started seeing the new signs too. Unfortunately I haven't been on my bike for any of those sightings - so whether the loop exists in the pavement or not is still an unknown.

Were you able to test the one that you saw?

--- Denise

[DebW]

Deb -
I've started seeing the new signs too. Unfortunately I haven't been on my bike for any of those sightings - so whether the loop exists in the pavement or not is still an unknown.

Were you able to test the one that you saw?

No, I was in my car. I'll have to ride over there and test it. It's just about 1.5 miles from my work.