"Bicycles Stop on Green"

**DebW** · 07-10-2006, 06:15 AM

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** · 07-10-2006, 06:26 AM

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** · 07-10-2006, 06:30 AM

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** · 07-10-2006, 07:04 AM

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

**spazzdog** · 07-10-2006, 07:06 AM

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** · 07-10-2006, 07:41 AM

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!

**DeniseGoldberg** · 07-10-2006, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by 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!

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

**DebW** · 07-10-2006, 07:45 AM

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.

**CycleChic06** · 07-10-2006, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by DebW

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?

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