Cycling guide: What should you do if the traffic light does not turn green?

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It’s happened to me a few times that the red light won’t turn green even though I’ve been on my bike for a long time. How do I react correctly? Can I continue driving when the light turns red after a certain period of time?
R. Andrighetti, Lucerne

There are various systems that can detect whether a bicycle is waiting in front of traffic lights. For example, radar and optical sensors record the movement of vehicles. Thermal imaging cameras “detect” increased temperature emitted from people and vehicles relative to the environment. And induction loops in the ground detect metal. All of these systems may be fundamentally faulty or failing. Then the vehicle is not recognized and the traffic light stubbornly remains red. Carbon bikes are particularly prone to being overlooked on induction cycles because of their small metal content.

If the traffic light remains red for any reason, the safest thing to do is to get out and use the crosswalk. But a German court recently found that cyclists are not “qualified pedestrians” who can be told to get off their bikes and join traffic on foot.

Let it end when it’s red if necessary

Therefore, in this particular case, it is absolutely appropriate to cross the intersection even if it is red, of course with great care and giving way to all other road users. In accordance with the basic rule of the Road Traffic Act: “Everyone must behave in traffic in a way that does not hinder or endanger the proper use of the road by others.”

By the way: since 2021 Switzerland allows bicycles (and equivalent vehicles such as e-scooters or mopeds) to turn right on red if there is an additional yellow sign (see image gallery). But be careful: cross traffic and pedestrians still have the right of way as there is green on the corner on the right; That’s why the bike on the sign is yellow instead of green. It is forbidden to turn right at a red light where there is no sign!

Source: Blick