A rant - How NOT to filter through traffic in Ch-ch rush hour

[willytheekid]

Just wanted to send a little "hello" out to the kid on the scooter this morning (or anyone who knows him)....the one I had to pick up off the side of the road.

Watched this kid "mow" through traffic for over 5mins, he was cutting through cars, riding erratically & way to fast -(and he got no-where!).
The whole time Im thinking....here we go!...its gonna happen soon.
Sure enough, the Kid weaves hard left...gases it down the bike lane past the Q of 35kph cars....then one turned left into the side road....BANG!!...its over.
I pulled up on PhatGirl to check on the Kid...hes got the wind knocked out of him and a smashed up scooter for all his "efforts"....and a VERY angry car driver standing over him!.
Advised the car driver to calm down and sort his insurance details out while I check the kid out for injuries (priorities!).
Got the Kid checked & on his feet, and what was left of the scooter off the road.....then I SLAPPED! him on the back of his head.
"Thats the difference between filtering through traffic....and being a FUCKING IDIOT!" I yelled....the kid looked like he was going to cry...the car driver smiled.....told the kid to wait for the cops and be thankful hes not like his scooter...DEAD!
But im just glad I was only late for work...and wasn't holding a dead or dying kid on the side of the road this morning


Please...Please!! ride safe in & around ChCh guys & girls, the traffic is extremely bad and there not using their familiar routes etc....and it shows!

Remember.....there panel damage...could be our life!

[oneofsix]

well handled

[onearmedbandit]

Yup very well handled. Due to the traffic my g/f is taking her 600 to work more often, lane splits virtually the entire way. I'm glad I hammered into her that it is HER responsibility to ensure it's done safely.

[CookMySock]

Good on you for giving him a whack and a telling off. Exactly what I'd have done if it was my kid.

Though in the end I think I would have said "right now lets get you out of here before the fucking pigs turn up."

[sil3nt]

I like to hit people across the head when they have just hit a car as well.

And the car drive should have used mirrors before pulling across a bike lane. Its amazing how many times i almost get hit cycling every day to class.

[onearmedbandit]

I like to hit people across the head when they have just hit a car as well.

And the car drive should have used mirrors before pulling across a bike lane. Its amazing how many times i almost get hit cycling every day to class.

Yeah stupid car driver, betcha he's hurting right about now. Oh no wait...

[sil3nt]

Yeah stupid car driver, betcha he's hurting right about now. Oh no wait...

Im not blaming the car driver as scooter shouldn't have been there. But it seems if it was a cyclist there instead the car still would have turned because he didn't check his mirrors.

Actually are scooters allowed to use cycle lanes?

[steelphoenix]

Actually are scooters allowed to use cycle lanes?

Depends on local bylaws. Most of the time, yes. But I wouldn't do it at any kind of pace...

Thank god the kid was okay. Of course, I hope if they get another scoot they learn how to filter properly...

[rastuscat]

Depends on local bylaws.

No it doesn't. It's in the Road User Rule 2004. Mopeds can't use cycle lanes. Period.

Power assisted pedal cycles can, but they are rare.

So there.

[Ocean1]

No it doesn't. It's in the Road User Rule 2004. Mopeds can't use cycle lanes. Period.

Power assisted pedal cycles can, but they are rare.

So there.

Cool, I'm welding some of them thare pedals onto the Buell this weekend.

[rastuscat]

Cool, I'm welding some of them thare pedals onto the Buell this weekend.

Fitting pedals will work. The power rating has to be below 300 watts, but I see you have a Buell, you'll be fine.

[Usarka]

Good on you for giving him a whack and a telling off. Exactly what I'd have done if it was my kid.

You whack your kid off?

[racefactory]

Another thing is- if you are going to lane split... make sure you have Wof and rego. Cops are running plates now during traffic hours and they will use the hard shoulder to collect tax money from you.

[Animus]

Fitting pedals will work. The power rating has to be below 300 watts, but I see you have a Buell, you'll be fine.

my friend just got a xb9sx as his first bike. He can't even get it out of second gear yet!!

[HenryDorsetCase]

Fitting pedals will work. The power rating has to be below 300 watts, but I see you have a Buell, you'll be fine.

ooooh BUUUURN.



I have been scootering about a LOT since the quake, lane splitting and filtering like its going out of style but fuck you have to be careful. Years of commuting by bike and riding a motorbike have taught me that. And if the traffic is going at 35k, thats not so bad, wait till the next lights, filter up, gas and go (head check to make sure a mong isnt running the red....) you get clear air that way....

well handled, OP.

my commute nowadays is bedroom > bathroom > coffee machine > spare bedroom > computer on, here I am at work.

Its GREAT. why do I need an office, or staff again?