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What are those white painted 'T's at traffic lights

On some traffic lights in Seattle there's a white painted T on the ground. Do these have something to do with the sensors for the traffic light to detect cars? Are they for motorcycles or bicyclists or both? If so, where do you position your bicycle to trigger it? In front, behind, directly on top? Do you also have the urge to write 'Mr.' in front of it?

Bonus question: How long do you personally wait at a stop light for it to turn green when on a bicycle before giving up on it ever changing and running it?

 

datajunkie asked in City Living over 3 years ago | Report
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  • Img_3380_small
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    They're for bikes. You place your front wheel on the T and generally it triggers the sensor to change the light for you. Not all of them work, and often lights that don't even have them will still work the same way.

    I'll generally only run a light if absolutely NO ONE is around, and usually only at night.

    RM answered in City Living over 3 years ago | Report
    3 comments by datajunkie, O my captain, and datajunkie…
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  • Spaceship_small
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    Another way to trigger these things is to have a large magnet on a string, and when you pull up to them, lower the magnet down to the pavement on the T.
    The magnetism will trigger the sensor even if your bike is not massive enough or is aluminum frame, and make the light cycle. As soon as it starts, wind up your string and replace it in your pocket, so that you can do it again at the next light that won't respond.

    Motorcyclists have been doing this for years.

    O my captain answered in City Living over 3 years ago | Report
    2 comments by datajunkie and elenchos…
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