Ever wondered how a cyclist's presence is detected on the road network? Here are some tips that will help cyclists make their way safely to the other side of the intersection.

Traffic signals in South Australia are designed to improve traffic efficiency and safety. Signals change when the presence of a vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian is detected on an intersecting road.

There are a number of ways in which cyclists can prompt signals to change when waiting at an intersection and these vary depending on the facilities available.

Cyclists can register their presence through using cyclist push buttons . Push buttons, which operate in the same way as pedestrian push buttons, are often installed next to the kerb or on traffic signal islands at the approaches to major intersections. Pushing these buttons will register a cyclist's presence and will prompt the signals to turn green, allowing the cyclist to legally enter the intersection. Cyclists' push buttons can be found at more than 230 locations across the metropolitan road network.

Cyclist push button

Cyclists can also be identified through metal detectors located behind the stop line in the road surface of a bicycle lane . The detector is activated by any conductive material such as aluminium, steel or titanium. One or more of these materials are detectable in almost all bicycle wheels. Provided that cyclists position their bicycle in the middle of the bicycle lane just behind the stop line, a detector will register their presence and in turn the signals will change allowing the cyclist to legally enter the intersection. These detectors are at nine locations across the metropolitan road network.

Cycle detector in the road surface of a bicycle lane (lines enhanced to show position)

When cyclists are detected through the cyclist push buttons or cycle detectors in the road surface, they are allowed extra time to ride through the intersection. The green signal is activated longer than for a vehicle so cyclists have extra time to safely proceed through the intersection.

At intersections without cyclist push buttons or cycle detectors, motor vehicle detectors can register the presence of bicycles. Bicycles must be positioned in the middle of the detector and remain there until the green signal appears as moving off the detector will cancel their request for a green signal.

When a motor vehicle approaches an intersection, it may be appropriate for cyclists to move off the detector to the left hand side of the road and share the lane. A signal change activated by vehicle detectors will give cyclists the same amount of time as vehicles to cross the intersection.

Detector in motor vehicle lane

The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure is responsible for all traffic and signal management and provides a 24-hour service for reporting traffic signal faults. If you notice a fault, free call 1800 018 313 and quote the Traffic Signal (TS) number shown on the signal controller box located at the intersection.

Traffic signal controller box