Freeway ramp meter

broilmebk · October 19th, 2012, 09:15 AM

I guess this is more geared toward fellow CA riders:
Out of curiosity, what do riders on ninjette do at these freeway ramp meters, when they're on?
In my new situation, I'm commuting a lot more on the freeway during times that the meters are on. They're almost always backed up, so lane splitting to the front is a given. But do you guys actually stop at the light?

Once I actually did stop. There weren't as many cars, and I stopped with another motorcycle next to me. Waited for longer than usual and it hadn't changed lights yet, so we both just went.

Thoughts? Anybody ever been pulled over for not waiting for the green?
99.9% of the time I will stop in my cage, but while on my bike I just feel too exposed waiting for that light there.

For those that don't have ramp meters in their area, or don't know what they are: they're traffic lights at freeway entrances that regulate flow of traffic entering said freeway. (I never encountered these when I lived in Jersey)

csmith12 · October 19th, 2012, 09:18 AM

There are a couple in a Cincinnati area, If they don't change in a reasonable amount of time, I run em. Can't lane split though

.

Jiggles · October 19th, 2012, 09:22 AM

Yes, stop with the cars and wait 2 seconds, would be a silly thing to get a ticket over

broilmebk · October 19th, 2012, 09:31 AM

The freeway entrances I'm going through are usually two lanes, so I split down the middle, and then I try to time it so that I'm passing through when one side has a green.

Alex · October 19th, 2012, 10:01 AM

I stop for a moment, then go, whether or not the light changes.

alex.s · October 19th, 2012, 10:12 AM

i slow down and look behind me to make sure there is no motorcycle cop, then proceed to blow through the meter.

bdavison · October 19th, 2012, 11:15 AM

Just follow the car in front of you when they get a green.

erbarry88 · October 19th, 2012, 11:48 AM

I try to time it or make sure no cops are around and run it. I rather not be near cars when it comes to freeway entrances as they tend to merge into one lane and many people don't pay attention.
Posted via Mobile Device

Alex · October 19th, 2012, 11:52 AM

I'm not sure if it's actually a violation if we do run those lights. They are not at an intersection, are not intended to protect any cross-traffic, and are a bit of a special case of traffic control lights. I wouldn't want to go through the trouble of fighting such a ticket (I'd rather just not get one in the first place), but I've never heard of anyone ever getting a ticket for these kind of lights either.

alex.s · October 19th, 2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I'm not sure if it's actually a violation if we do run those lights. They are not at an intersection, are not intended to protect any cross-traffic, and are a bit of a special case of traffic control lights. I wouldn't want to go through the trouble of fighting such a ticket (I'd rather just not get one in the first place), but I've never heard of anyone ever getting a ticket for these kind of lights either.

i've seen CHP camped out at a light waving people in for tickets as they ran the meter. they may have been warnings or just verbal though

Jiggles · October 19th, 2012, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

i've seen CHP camped out at a light waving people in for tickets as they ran the meter. they may have been warnings or just verbal though

I've seen that but only for carpool violations, since one lane is usually a carpool entrance

alex.s · October 19th, 2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

I've seen that but only for carpool violations, since one lane is usually a carpool entrance

maybe that's what they were doing... that would make more sense.

Jiggles · October 19th, 2012, 12:35 PM

Yep, there was this SUV being a raging dick one time. Cutting people off, cut me off, driving like an asshole. We get to a freeway switch ramp that has those lights and he goes down the carpool though its just one guy, halfway to the end he sees a cop writing a ticket and abruptly stops in that carpool lane (the right lane was completely backed up for a good quarter mile. The cop looks over at this stopped SUV trying to merge back into right lane and he points at him and motions for him to come forward and writes him a ticket.

Carpool violation on that freeway is $451 I think. Asshole got what he deserved

Kevin1956 · October 19th, 2012, 01:08 PM

I too live in California. If the on-ramp has a carpool lane, use it. It's legal on a bike. The metered lights can work in two ways. The first being a simple timer in conjunction with a sensor on the freeway that reads traffic flow. You just have to wait your turn. The second is a sensor in the pavement of the on-ramp. The sensor is a magnetic switch. Lots of bikes don't have enough steel in them to trigger it. You're left with no choice but to run it. I find the same problem happens at traffic light too.

menikmati · October 19th, 2012, 01:19 PM

Too many Kevin's on the dance floor.

@Kevin2109
@Kevin1956

Kevin2109 · October 19th, 2012, 01:29 PM

Who da fuq?

Jiggles · October 19th, 2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin1956

I too live in California. If the on-ramp has a carpool lane, use it. It's legal on a bike. The metered lights can work in two ways. The first being a simple timer in conjunction with a sensor on the freeway that reads traffic flow. You just have to wait your turn. The second is a sensor in the pavement of the on-ramp. The sensor is a magnetic switch. Lots of bikes don't have enough steel in them to trigger it. You're left with no choice but to run it. I find the same problem happens at traffic light too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin2109

Who da fuq?

csmith12 · October 19th, 2012, 02:02 PM

Welcome Kevin, seems you stepped in some poo on your way in. hahahahah

Create a into thread brah.

CZroe · October 19th, 2012, 02:24 PM

My experience is that they almost never sense a bike.

Soujyu · October 20th, 2012, 08:29 AM

The last time I've seen a "freeway ramp meter" was over 20 years ago on Central Expressway in Dallas. (They were only on during rush hour, though.)

CZroe · October 21st, 2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soujyu

The last time I've seen a "freeway ramp meter" was over 20 years ago on Central Expressway in Dallas. (They were only on during rush hour, though.)

They've been adding them most everywhere else as metropolitan populations and traffic increase.

October 19th, 2012, 09:15 AM	#1
broilmebk ninjette.org sage Name: Brian Location: Orange County, CA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): '12 ninja 250r Posts: 762	Freeway ramp meter I guess this is more geared toward fellow CA riders: Out of curiosity, what do riders on ninjette do at these freeway ramp meters, when they're on? In my new situation, I'm commuting a lot more on the freeway during times that the meters are on. They're almost always backed up, so lane splitting to the front is a given. But do you guys actually stop at the light? Once I actually did stop. There weren't as many cars, and I stopped with another motorcycle next to me. Waited for longer than usual and it hadn't changed lights yet, so we both just went. Thoughts? Anybody ever been pulled over for not waiting for the green? 99.9% of the time I will stop in my cage, but while on my bike I just feel too exposed waiting for that light there. For those that don't have ramp meters in their area, or don't know what they are: they're traffic lights at freeway entrances that regulate flow of traffic entering said freeway. (I never encountered these when I lived in Jersey)

October 19th, 2012, 09:18 AM	#2
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	There are a couple in a Cincinnati area, If they don't change in a reasonable amount of time, I run em. Can't lane split though . __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

October 19th, 2012, 09:22 AM	#3
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Yes, stop with the cars and wait 2 seconds, would be a silly thing to get a ticket over __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

October 19th, 2012, 10:01 AM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	I stop for a moment, then go, whether or not the light changes. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

October 19th, 2012, 10:12 AM	#6
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	i slow down and look behind me to make sure there is no motorcycle cop, then proceed to blow through the meter. __________________________________________________

October 19th, 2012, 09:31 AM	#4
broilmebk ninjette.org sage Name: Brian Location: Orange County, CA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): '12 ninja 250r Posts: 762	The freeway entrances I'm going through are usually two lanes, so I split down the middle, and then I try to time it so that I'm passing through when one side has a green.

October 19th, 2012, 11:15 AM	#7
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	Just follow the car in front of you when they get a green.

October 19th, 2012, 11:48 AM	#8
erbarry88 ninjette.org member Name: Eddie Location: SoCal IE Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R, 2007 GSX-R 600 Posts: 123	I try to time it or make sure no cops are around and run it. I rather not be near cars when it comes to freeway entrances as they tend to merge into one lane and many people don't pay attention. Posted via Mobile Device

October 19th, 2012, 11:52 AM	#9
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	I'm not sure if it's actually a violation if we do run those lights. They are not at an intersection, are not intended to protect any cross-traffic, and are a bit of a special case of traffic control lights. I wouldn't want to go through the trouble of fighting such a ticket (I'd rather just not get one in the first place), but I've never heard of anyone ever getting a ticket for these kind of lights either. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

October 19th, 2012, 12:35 PM	#13
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Yep, there was this SUV being a raging dick one time. Cutting people off, cut me off, driving like an asshole. We get to a freeway switch ramp that has those lights and he goes down the carpool though its just one guy, halfway to the end he sees a cop writing a ticket and abruptly stops in that carpool lane (the right lane was completely backed up for a good quarter mile. The cop looks over at this stopped SUV trying to merge back into right lane and he points at him and motions for him to come forward and writes him a ticket. Carpool violation on that freeway is $451 I think. Asshole got what he deserved __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

October 19th, 2012, 01:08 PM	#14
Kevin1956 ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Stockton California Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R Posts: 362	I too live in California. If the on-ramp has a carpool lane, use it. It's legal on a bike. The metered lights can work in two ways. The first being a simple timer in conjunction with a sensor on the freeway that reads traffic flow. You just have to wait your turn. The second is a sensor in the pavement of the on-ramp. The sensor is a magnetic switch. Lots of bikes don't have enough steel in them to trigger it. You're left with no choice but to run it. I find the same problem happens at traffic light too.

October 19th, 2012, 01:19 PM	#15
menikmati crash 250, get supersport Name: Richard Location: San Diego, CA Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE (Sold 6/9/14), 2009 ZX-6R (Sold 6/25/14), Subaru BRZ Posts: A lot.	Too many Kevin's on the dance floor. @Kevin2109 @Kevin1956

October 19th, 2012, 01:29 PM	#16
Kevin2109 KThanksBye Name: Kevin Location: Orange County Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 zx636r Posts: A lot.	Who da fuq? __________________________________________________ ----> My Youtube! <---- Unregistered, watch my youtube page!

October 19th, 2012, 02:02 PM	#18
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Welcome Kevin, seems you stepped in some poo on your way in. hahahahah Create a into thread brah. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

October 19th, 2012, 02:24 PM	#19
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	My experience is that they almost never sense a bike.

October 20th, 2012, 08:29 AM	#20
Soujyu ninjette.org sage Name: W Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (sold), 2012 Tuono V4R Posts: 512	The last time I've seen a "freeway ramp meter" was over 20 years ago on Central Expressway in Dallas. (They were only on during rush hour, though.) __________________________________________________ 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R - "Aria" (sold) 2012 Aprilia Tuono V4R - "Perrine" Proof that Harleys and Ninjettes are friendly with each other

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