I came across the following link about the feasibility of reprogramming traffic light induction loops to be activated by bicycles.

http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/signals/detection.htm

Some more interesting links at the end, including

http://www.bikexprt.com/bicycle/actuator.htm

(Good old Sheldon Brown gets a mention, RIP)   

The intersection that irritates me the most for this is Central Auckland, Beach Road heading west, turn right with the arrow into Tangihua St (traffic for Ports of Auckland).