Bicycles will soon be able to trigger traffic signals at 30 new intersections around Marin County, including nine in Novato, thanks to a $922,000 grant from the Marin Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program.  The intersections will be fitted with new magnetic pavement loops or cameras that detect bicycles waiting for the traffic signal.  Intersections throughout the county already rely on loop detectors to sense the metal in cars or trucks queued at the intersection.  However, many of the existing loops aren't sensitive enough to detect the smaller amount of metal in bicycles

Cameras are being used instead of pavement loops in some locations because they are easier to adjust once installed.  Once the detection system is installed, a stencil marks the appropriate place bicyclists should position themelves in the lane in order to trip the detector and request a green from the traffic signal.  CBS 5 has a video report on the detector installation.