Bikes & Pedestrians

triggerBicycle Detection at Traffic Signals

Many traffic signals are triggered by electrically charged wires buried under the pavement. When a vehicle stops over the wires, the metal disrupts the current, which sends a signal to a traffic light control box. Most bicycles contain enough metal to trigger the light, but you should know where the most sensitive spots are. Look for cut lines in the pavement, filled with tar. Depending on the shape, the most sensitive spots are:

  • Diamonds: just inside one of the points.
  • Circles: about a quarter of the way in.
  • Rectangles: up front, in the middle.

If you cannot trigger the light, and you have waited an appropriate amount of time, treat the traffic light as an uncontrolled intersection and proceed when it is safe to do so.


"Children At Play" Signs

As a policy, the County does not install "Children at Play" signs in residential neighborhoods. There are several reasons for this policy:
  • There is no evidence that the sign slows traffic down or makes drivers more aware of children.
  • The sign is not recognized as an official sign by state and national standards.
  • The sign can promote a false sense of security to both children and parents.
  • Every neighborhood has children, so an absence of the sign would incorrectly imply that children do not live in the area.

On occasion, Washington County receives requests for these signs from citizens who are concerned about speeding in residential areas and want these signs installed to provide protection for their children. The concern about residential speeding is very understandable and we too share that concern; however, these signs are not only ineffective, but also deceptive.

Children playing in a residential area are not uncommon. Drivers recognize this fact and expect the presence of children; therefore, Children At Play signs are warning of an obvious condition. Our experience and other studies have shown that attempts to warn drivers about obvious conditions fail to achieve the desired safety benefits. There is no evidence that suggests that these signs prevent accidents or reduce speeds.

"Children At Play" signs are also deceptive for children and give parents a false sense of security. There is an all too common misconception that these signs provide an added degree of protection when motorists, particularly local ones who are used to seeing the signs, actually pay little attention to them. The result can be a dangerous situation where children play in the street with the belief that they are safe.

As these signs are not recognized by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and there are definite problems associated with them, therefore it is our policy not to install "Children At Play" signs.

Roundabouts and Bicycles

Bicycles have a legal right to ride in the street with traffic when traveling through a roundabout just like other intersections.  Select the link to view a brochure on how to use roundabouts as a bicyclist traveling with motorized vehicles.