A new law allowing motorcycle riders to roll through red lights is a step in the right direction but still not a solution to the problem...

The new law allowing motorcycle riders to treat red lights like stop signs will make life easier for bikers but still falls short when it comes to safety.

"We're telling everybody to wait 120 seconds" before passing through a red light even if there is no visible oncoming traffic, said Brian Wendholt, the legislative coordinator for the Will County chapter of ABATE, a motorcycle advocacy organization.

Starting Jan. 1, motorcycle riders in Illinois — outside Cook County — got the green light to roll through red lights after stopping and checking for oncoming traffic.

The new law was prompted by stoplight sensors failing to detect motorcycles due to their relative lack of iron content compared to cars, said Wendholt, a Shorewood resident.

When the sensors fail to recognize a vehicle waiting to proceed, the light does not turn green. Wendholt said he had that happen to him at the intersection of River Road and Route 52, and that he has planned his motorcycle trips around red lights due to the sensor problems.

If he did not, Wendholt said, "You'd have to make a series of right turns to get where you want to go."

While the law does benefit motorcycle riders, Wendholt said, he would prefer to see traffic engineers improve the sensors so they recognize the smaller vehicles. He said he has been told this is a possibility.

"It depends on what traffic engineer you talk to," Wendholt said.

Guy Tridgell, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation, said, "We continue to make improvements to our traffic signal operations all the time. The technology is constantly improving."

But Wendholt's complaint is not one often made to IDOT, Tridgell said.

"It's not common that we hear of the problem that motorcycles are unable to trigger traffic signals," he said. "More experienced riders seem to be more knowledgeable about where the sensors are located."

Wendholt disagreed.

"I've been riding for 20-plus years," he said. "There's certain bikes where you could place it anywhere in that loop and it won't detect it."

Wendholt was also concerned that law enforcement may not be fully aware of the new law and that motorcycle riders could wind up with unwarranted traffic charges.

Source: http://shorewood-il.patch.com/articles/motorcycle-group-finds-new-law-lacking 

How to be Seen on Motorcycles

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"I never saw the rider" is one of the most common things automobile drivers say after they've struck a motorcyclist, an unfortunate reflection on how easy it is for riders to slip under the radar. Here are tips on how to stay visible while you ride.


The first and most obvious way to avoid being hit is to stay out of the blind spots of other vehicles and give yourself enough room to react. Ways to do so include:


Making sure you can see the drivers of the cars around you; if you can see them (through eye contact or in their mirrors), chances are you're in their line of sight... but never assume anything.
Creating a safety buffer around you, which means leaving enough distance ahead of you, and giving yourself space to maneuver away from trouble.
Avoid lingering in the blind spots created by the A-pillars and C-pillars of cars; those are the front 3/4 and rear 3/4 angle views out of the driver seat. Passing can be a dangerous maneuver, so be especially aware when overtaking a car or another rider.
If you're riding with a group, be sure to leave a safe distance around you, and ride in a staggered formation for maximum visibility.