Community Watchdog: Vehicle detectors ignore motorcyclist

I ride a motorcycle and the magnetic detectors embedded in the pavement that trip the traffic signals at many intersections in Nassau County don't work for bikes. You can sit at a light and it'll never change. You can wait and hope a car pulls up close enough to set off the detector, but many bikers who get tired of waiting often go through the red light or make a right, then a U-turn, or go around the block. It's dangerous, and even the magnetic devices made for motorcycles to solve this problem don't work. The light I'm most often trapped at near my home is at Wantagh Parkway and Merrick Road.

-Larry Behar, Wantagh

This shouldn't be happening, Nassau Public Works Commissioner Ray Ribeiro said. "All of the detectors are designed to pick up the metal in any type of vehicle including motorcycles," Ribeiro said. "But if someone feels they're not being detected, we can go out and check them, and we would make adjustments as necessary."

He asked Sheila M. Dukacz, who is in charge of traffic signal maintenance for the county, to check out the complaint, and she met Behar at the Wantagh Parkway-Merrick Road intersection. After seeing that the detector was having problems picking up the motorcycle sometimes, she said, "We changed a number of pieces of equipment in that [control] cabinet and we're hoping it makes a difference for the motorcycles that occasionally weren't being picked up."

We'd heard this was a common problem and contacted other motorcycle riders. Jaime Cruz, president of the Nassau Wings Motorcycle Club sent us a list of signals he and his members say are unresponsive to motorcycles, and the locations of several signals reported to him by other motorcycle clubs. We forwarded the list to Dukacz who said, "We're looking at all of them and seeing if there are any issues."

Responding the way we wish all public officials would, she vowed to try to remedy any similar problems that arise in Nassau: Bikers who believe their motorcycles are not being detected can call her, Dukacz said. "I can meet them at any intersection in Nassau and see if there's a problem."

For questions about any of the 1,600 traffic signals owned and maintained by Nassau County, call 516-572-0465. For problems with signals on state-maintained roads, call 631-724-4040.

Neglected property is an eyesore

There's a house in our neighborhood that for years has been neglected and the property has become overgrown. The house had a fire years ago and work was started and then stopped. We've complained to the Town of Islip, but received a lukewarm reception.

- Freeman Wilbur, Bay Shore

After our call, the Town of Islip sent an inspector, who determined that the condition of the house does not violate town code.

"This location wouldn't qualify for a cleanup," said Robin Bahnsen, deputy commissioner of the town's Department of Public Safety Enforcement. "All the windows appear to have been replaced and there is siding missing, indicating that work has been recently done."

In addition, the front door is properly boarded and secured, the grass appears to have been recently cut and there was no litter. Property taxes were paid last year, she said.

The house has been vacant since a fire in February 2006, Bahnsen said.

Town of Islip residents with concerns about abandoned houses should call 631-224-5549.

-Michael R. Ebert

Desperately seeking left-turn arrows

The Oyster Bay Civic Association has sent letters to various elected officials in recent years requesting two left-arrow turn signals on Route 106 in Oyster Bay: one, at the intersection with Berry Hill Road and the other at the entrance to the Pine Hollow Shopping Center. Both places have turning lanes but no turning arrows. We need these signals before someone is killed.

- Judith-Ann Barnett, Oyster Bay

Elected officials forwarded the letters sent by Barnett to the state Department of Transportation, which launched a traffic study to see if signal modifications are needed.

DOT officials said the turn-arrow requests were among a total of 17 items requested by the Oyster Bay and East Norwich civic associations.

"DOT engineers have been investigating the feasibility of installing these left turn arrows," spokeswoman Eileen Peters said. "The investigation is in the final stage."

Anyone with concerns about traffic signals on state roads should contact the DOT's Regional Traffic Engineering office at 631-952-6020.

-Michael R. Ebert