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ABATE Meetings

ABATE members meet the first Monday of every month at the MiCasa restaurant at 6:00pm to discuss current topics and to socialize. Hope to see you there!

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GroupRiding

RideSafely

Motorcycling is primarily a solo activity, but for many, riding as a group is the epitome of the motorcycling experience. Some tips to help ensure a fun and safe group ride

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Christmas Party

Come join us for our annual Holiday/Christmas party! Fun for all is guaranteed. Please see our flyer for additional information.

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Information & Important Links

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE | Suite 510 | Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice) | 202-546-0986 (fax) | http://www.mrf.org

11NR30 - MRF News Release - Mythbusters?  Not Really. . .

11NR29 - MRF News Release - The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Legislative Strategy Agenda for 2011-2012

11NR28 - MRF News Release - EPA UNDER SCRUTINY CONCERNING E15 – CALL TO ACTION!

All MRF News Releases for 2011

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Donn has been nice enough to share this years Meeting Of The Minds reports.

MotM 2011 Romulus Conference Report Meeting

MotM 2011  Romulus Conference Report

MRF 2011 Report

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Activating Traffic Lights in Juneau
 By Dan McCrummen


As many of you are aware; most of the traffic lights on roadways approaching our main thoroughfare (Egan) have sensors to cycle the traffic light to green.  As I’ve been stuck at more than one intersection in town I queried the Highway Maintenance staff at DOT/PF to gain a better understanding of how these sensors work and where they are located.  I found out that all of the sensors in Juneau roadways (in fact, through much of Alaska) are activated by a motor vehicle crossing an electrical field, causing disruption of the field.  The field is created by a 6’ x 6’ wire loop placed under the pavement.  The loops are placed in the center of the traffic lane, close to the cross walk or stop line.  The actual distance back from the cross walk or stop line varies between intersections, but are typically where the center of an automobile would be stopped at a traffic light.  For motorcycles it is recommended that you approach these intersections in the center of the traffic lane (oil line), stopping approximately a car’s length back from the cross walk or stop line.  When group riding, if two motorcycles approach an intersection, intending on stopping side by side, they should both cross the loop area at the oil line before moving to the left or right and stopping.

Several of the roadways in Juneau were repaved in the summer of 2006.  At one intersection, as DOT/PF workers were applying a loop and adjusting the electrical field for sensitivity, a Buell motorcycle was used as a test vehicle.  The technician was unable to adjust the sensor to allow the Buell to activate the light, most like due to the alloy metals used in the frame.  Sport bikes, as they are intended to be lightweight, may have difficulty activating the sensors.  I understand that one can purchase magnets that are specifically designed for placing under a motorcycle to help activate traffic light sensors.  In this case, owners of sport bikes might consider looking in to that option.


A word of caution, in speaking to a JPD officer, if your motorcycle fails to activate a traffic light, going through the light while red is a traffic violation and tickets issued in those situations have been upheld in court.  If you get caught at a light, back the motorcycle up over the center line where you believe the loop to be and attempt to again activate the sensor, otherwise, safely leave the turn lane.