Sorry roomwithaview but Bucket is correct on every point. Embedded road sensors are simply big inductive-capacitive oscillators. The combination of the inductance of the loop embedded in the road and the capacitor in the controller box sets the oscillator to some natural frequency. The introduction of metal into the inductor’s field changes its inductance thereby changing the frequency of the oscillator. The control box monitors the frequency and, based on some threshold of change, signals the presence of a vehicle.
While it’s true that a magnetic field moving over the inductor will induce a current in the wires, that does not change the inductance. As Bucket said, a magnet is no more effective than any other equivalent metal mass.
That being said, the shape and proximity of the mass does effect the inductance so the kickstand thing might work. I personally favor putting my motorcycle diagonally across one corner of the sensor. That seems to work but I’m not immune to confirmation bias any more the the next rider.
