There is a point on one of the roads I regularly use where the carriageway narrows to single file. Passage is controlled via a set of traffic lights. The problem is that whatever sensor is used to determine whether traffic is waiting to cross does not pick up motorcycles. I have sat there for minutes at a time, with no traffic coming the other way but the only time the light will go green for me is if a car or van comes up behind me. The change to green is fairly instant once that has happened. Most times of the year you have a view through roadside foliage, past the lights to where oncoming traffic approaches their traffic lights. Theoretically, you could, through careful observation, determine that no traffic is approaching you and pass safely through the red light. The question - what would you do? This is not a set of temporary lights by the way, it is a permanent feature. Not that that makes any difference, of course.
if the sensor is in the road, find someone that goes the same way who's not afraid of eating a few burgers and give them a lift.
Tried that. Positioned myself to the left, the right, in the middle, back from the line, right up to the line ... nothing's worked yet.
Traffic lights have not worked on a light sensor for a very long time... Most lights use induction loops cut into the tarmac for sensing traffic (the rectangular box shaped strips of overbanding you see on the road) Temporary lights use an ultrasound sensor head that detects movement (but not light). If the lights do not detect bikes it means the sensitivity on the loops need adjusting, contact your local authority with the exact location and they should send someone to adjust them.
As @Attila says, i.e. you need more metal on your bike. try swapping some of the over priced carbon fibre stuff for good old cast iron or mild steel
