Has lane-splitting reached critical mass?

[vtec]

Stuck in my car in traffic yesterday, and noticed that there were plenty of motorcycles splitting through the crawling traffic, and people in their vehicles were actually moving over to let them through as opposed to moving to block like they often used to.

Is this because the number of splitters has finally reached a critical mass where it is seen as acceptable behaviour by the masses. Have the car driving population realised that if a bike filters through it actually frees up road space for faster flowing traffic? Have the police all got a similar engagement policy for lane splitters, like it's safe up until a certain speed differential?

Attitudes seem to have changed in the last couple of years.

[Headbanger]

If I can find two cars traveling parallel to each other in these parts then I'll have a crack at scooting between them and get back to ya with my thoughts on the matter.

Personally if I had to ride between rows and rows and rows of crawling cars, I'd move to some place that didn't suck.

[vifferman]

Personally if I had to ride between rows and rows and rows of crawling cars, I'd move to some place that didn't suck.
A good thought. Oh, that it were that simple....

To be honest, even though I live in APlaceThatSucks (Aucks, fer shirt), I very rarely need to be splitting the lanes apart with my SplittingThang. That can be avoided, mostly, by choosing the time of one's departure. I don't like doing the LoonSplittingThang, as there's those knobbly things on the road, that go babump, babump, babump, and those retards that can't drive unless there's markings on the road to help them steer their vehicles, so they tend to drive close to them, so they can aim along the dotted dot things. This leaves little room for TheLooninessOfLoonSpilting, so one must do this on the blindside, or in the gutter, or OtherPlacesNotTreeeelllyIntendedForTraffickingOn, which also tend to be full of Road Shite (a distant cousin of Gob Shite). 73.63% of bogus made-up statistics about punctures in motorbicyckle tyres come from these forbidden zones.

[Insanity_rules]

Lane spliting is the best invention known to man, it means I can get home from work about 20- 25 minutes quicker than when i have to be caged. I have noticed fewer and fewer cagers trying to kill me so it must be getting acceptable.

[FROSTY]

on my daily commute i dont see much lane splitting

[Cheshire Cat]

is lane-splitting illegal?

[R6_kid]

I think there are still tossers out there who take it too far - doing stupid speeds, and even lane splitting when the traffic is doing 80-90-100kmh already.

I don't rely on it anywhere near as much as I used to, and as such I don't feel the need to lane split at break neck speeds. I still find myself catching up to other people but that's because they are doing it extra-cautiously and only passing when one lane is completely stopped.

It's more or less illegal, but if you practice common sense and don't ride like a dickhead when you're doing it you usually don't have any trouble. I pass cop cars nearly everyday - I've been pulled over once in 6 years, and I deserved it at the time.

[Crisis management]

Attitudes seem to have changed in the last couple of years.

I agree, it's easier now and cars etc move aside to create a gap for me, I will quite often have chat to the drivers I'm stopped next too and I've not had any snide comments, more about, nice bike, looks like fun stuff... :2thumbsup


Maybe it's an attitude tho, I don't go out to cut up cars and cause mayhem either....that's a not so subtle hint at some of the dickheads on bikes I see.

:Pokey:

[sleemanj]

It's more or less illegal, but if you practice common sense and don't ride like a dickhead when you're doing it you usually don't have any trouble. I pass cop cars nearly everyday - I've been pulled over once in 6 years, and I deserved it at the time.

Not illegal as I understand.

Passing stopped cars is fine, they are deemed to be parked.

Overtaking on the right is fine. Stay in the lane with car on your left, do it at low speed so as to not be dangerous. All good.

[huff3r]

It seems quite a few people seem to move out of the way these days, but there are still those that intentionally block you. I can't understand why, is it jealousy? I've heard claims of "I don't let them past because what they are doing is dangerous" but it seems to me its considerably more dangerous when a car you're trying to pass at a reasonably slow and safe speed suddenly decides to pull in front of you!

[bogan]

Some cars know it's legal, others hate you for it, and some reckon its illegal but just dont care, quite possibly in equaly proportions!

[Marmoot]

If I can find two cars traveling parallel to each other in these parts then I'll have a crack at scooting between them and get back to ya with my thoughts on the matter.


Where in the world is Wanganui???

[CookMySock]

I think its the bikers who are more worried, than anyone else.

1.) It feels like "cheating" and people may dissaprove.

2.) Riders still think they are as wide as a car, and won't fit in that gap - a brain thing.

3.) It feels illegal, when its not.. but still..

I have had only a few times had cars deliberately close a gap in heavy traffic. Suffice to say that was only a temporary measure. I have never had anyone do a deliberately dangerous manoevre in front of me in retaliation.

I have been in a car with (boy racer) mates, where a biker cut through in front of them, and they were really fucked off. I laughed at him and said "nar bikes can do that - its legal too!". He was not impressed.

I once split to the front of a line of traffic stopped at the lights, and some dick took umbrage at me, hurling abuse and blasting his horn. Fortunately he was already behind me, and at the green light I was long gone. Seconds later, disco lights everywhere and the fuzz has HIM pulled up on the side of the road and no doubt had a wee "discussion" about such behaviour. Fuck I was worried though, lol.

Steve

[Cheshire Cat]

I think there are still tossers out there who take it too far - doing stupid speeds, and even lane splitting when the traffic is doing 80-90-100kmh already.

I don't rely on it anywhere near as much as I used to, and as such I don't feel the need to lane split at break neck speeds. I still find myself catching up to other people but that's because they are doing it extra-cautiously and only passing when one lane is completely stopped.

It's more or less illegal, but if you practice common sense and don't ride like a dickhead when you're doing it you usually don't have any trouble. I pass cop cars nearly everyday - I've been pulled over once in 6 years, and I deserved it at the time.

I was taught by the best then eh ;)

[Hiflyer]

I think it's deemed acceptable by some, some others think its great and move over for you but I have never had anyone actually move to get in the way.

There have been times when people are just stupid and dont realise the right hand side of their car bumping along over the catseyes and dont move over.... I want their suspension :clap:

[StoneY]

If I can find two cars traveling parallel to each other in these parts then I'll have a crack at scooting between them and get back to ya with my thoughts on the matter.

Personally if I had to ride between rows and rows and rows of crawling cars, I'd move to some place that didn't suck.

Mate you better move then, :lol:
Splitting rox, free adrenaline rush with evrey cage that moves 2 inches toward the centreline wooot!

[Bend-it]

Personally, I've never had someone intentionally move to crowd me while lane-splitting in the past 5 years? And I lanesplit all the time...

Sure, I've had people switch lanes smidsy on me, but never intentionally to block me... In fact just this morning, 3 cars noticeably moved aside for me! :2thumbsup:

HOWEVER... I don't think we need more splitters, 'coz I might just get tempted to split the splitter! :clap:

[StoneY]

Not illegal as I understand.

Passing stopped cars is fine, they are deemed to be parked.

Overtaking on the right is fine. Stay in the lane with car on your left, do it at low speed so as to not be dangerous. All good.

I spoke with a Policeregional commander last week about this very issue his interperetation is:
If in SAME lane on RIGHT of vehicle you are passing, and WITHIN the speed limit you are not breaking the law.


The moment you start crossing the center line into the space to the LEFT of the other vehicle within the same lane, you are 'undertaking' which is illegal IN THE SAME LANE

Clear as mud:2thumbsup

I still ride in the fast lane left margin hugging the Cats eyes, Welly drivers seem to be more proactively hugging the centre to make the 'ghost' lane available, and less and less are trying to shut us down.

[vtec]

I had one guy do it to me on purpose last week. Slowed to match the car next to him and moved within one foot of the other guy, had to cross into his lane and everything. When he had to watch ahead and the gap opened, I nailed it through and smacked my carbon covered knuckles on his window as I blew past... tosser. There's plenty of wankers here out in West Auckland. The further west you go the more aggravated they become. Animosity breeds animosity in traffic, see how him being a dick to me got me all worked up so I was a dick back. It's rare for me these days to get like that. Just when people purposefully try to force their will on me it drives me crazy.

[slofox]

A good thought. Oh, that it were that simple....

To be honest, even though I live in APlaceThatSucks (Aucks, fer shirt), I very rarely need to be splitting the lanes apart with my SplittingThang. That can be avoided, mostly, by choosing the time of one's departure. I don't like doing the LoonSplittingThang, as there's those knobbly things on the road, that go babump, babump, babump, and those retards that can't drive unless there's markings on the road to help them steer their vehicles, so they tend to drive close to them, so they can aim along the dotted dot things. This leaves little room for TheLooninessOfLoonSpilting, so one must do this on the blindside, or in the gutter, or OtherPlacesNotTreeeelllyIntendedForTraffickingOn, which also tend to be full of Road Shite (a distant cousin of Gob Shite). 73.63% of bogus made-up statistics about punctures in motorbicyckle tyres come from these forbidden zones.

You started drinking in the morning again VM..?

[R6_kid]

If in SAME lane on RIGHT of vehicle you are passing, and WITHIN the speed limit you are not breaking the law.



Yeah but what about all the other 'dangerous driving' parts - not maintaining a suitable following distance etc.

Technically it is illegal as at no point when passing is there 100m of clear road in front of the vehicle - assuming you are passing, in which case you would be pulling back into the lane as soon as you have completed the pass.

Basically you're saying what I said - think about what you are doing and be sensible and you'll get away with it.

The biggest thing for me is constantly being aware of indicators/brakes/lateral vehicle movement and ALWAYS having a plan of what you will do if a car decides to change lanes unexpectedly. That means for every car you intend to pass you should have a 'safe exit' to avoid being hit - that has saved me at least 4 or 5 times. In Auckland most car drivers change lanes as they indicate - not seconds after indicating that they want to change lanes - it's even worse on the motorway when the gap in the lane next to them is a quickly disappearing opportunity!

[Ixion]

I seem to end up needing to split through the rush hour from Wiri to CBD once or twice a week (other days I only need to split if there's roadworks, or a crash, or three trucks doing the side by side 91kph race thing). And a few more time splitting up to the motorway ramp lights. And most days a bit of filtering up to lights ,not so much now, they've put these really convenient bike lanes in a lot of places. Just the trick, though their little pictures are crap, can't even make out the engine on the drawing.

Every time I do I'll have at least a dozen drivers pull across to let me through.

Filtered up to the ramp light the other day, Maori guy at the front moved across to make more room for me, so I said "Thanks mate, appreciated". "No sweat . bro".

Whereas I could count on the fingers of one hand the number who have deliberately tried to block me in the past couple of years. Of course, there are plenty of fools who do it without meaning to , but that's the same as any other riding .

I usually try to avoid deliberately splitting right in front of a cop (edge a bit ahead, then get in front of a big truck that'll block his view, until you are far enough ahead that he won't bother). No point looking for trouble. But a few times I've had no choice, they've always ignored it.

[modboy]

I had some immigrant taxi driver utter some middle-eastern obscenity at me as my bar-end mirror clipped his riding down Vivian street the other day...

SUV drivers need to be more considerate to bikers lane splitting. Selfish pricks. :weird:

[howdamnhard]

Stuck in my car in traffic yesterday, and noticed that there were plenty of motorcycles splitting through the crawling traffic, and people in their vehicles were actually moving over to let them through as opposed to moving to block like they often used to.
Attitudes seem to have changed in the last couple of years.

Thats nice to know, be good if the ambiguity was removed by making it legal as in the UK.

[CookMySock]

be good if the ambiguity was removed by making it legal as in the UK.No! A little ambiguity is a good thing. The last thing we need is a straight answer, especially when its not exactly the one you wanted, and you can't ask the question again.

Steve

[vifferman]

You started drinking in the morning again VM..?
Nup, but I think that would FixIt(TM).
I could say more, but there may be kiddies present.
It's a shame - if it were kiddie's present, that could be more fun (lollies, a toy gun, some inane electronic gizmo that makes irritating noises...)

[howdamnhard]

No! A little ambiguity is a good thing. The last thing we need is a straight answer, especially when its not exactly the one you wanted, and you can't ask the question again.

Steve

No ! no ambiguity would be better if it was the right answer.

[CookMySock]

No ! no ambiguity would be better if it was the right answer.If you are bloody lucky. I am not usually that lucky.

The ambiguity doesn't bother me - the straight "no you can't do that" answer does. Roll your dice...

Steve

[Ixion]

No ! no ambiguity would be better if it was the right answer.

It would not be.

[Edbear]

Lane spliting is the best invention known to man, it means I can get home from work about 20- 25 minutes quicker than when i have to be caged. I have noticed fewer and fewer cagers trying to kill me so it must be getting acceptable.


I agree, it's easier now and cars etc move aside to create a gap for me, I will quite often have chat to the drivers I'm stopped next too and I've not had any snide comments, more about, nice bike, looks like fun stuff... :2thumbsup


Maybe it's an attitude tho, I don't go out to cut up cars and cause mayhem either....that's a not so subtle hint at some of the dickheads on bikes I see.

:Pokey:


No! A little ambiguity is a good thing. The last thing we need is a straight answer, especially when its not exactly the one you wanted, and you can't ask the question again.

Steve

Agree with these comments. I split every day and find there are more drivers pulling over for me. I always acknowledge their courtesy with a wave. I am a bit more cautious than other bikers, and rarely pass another bike unless they're a learner, usually I pull aside to let the others through. Having a wider bike is part of it but after a couple of close calls I decided I was getting a bit too agressive and backed off the pace.

I still make good time and am about 20min quicker than the car. Using about 1/3 the fuel is the other advantage over the car, too.

[Headbanger]

Where in the world is Wanganui???

On the muddy bottom of a quite shallow hole.

[p.dath]

is lane-splitting illegal?

The Wiki has a description of when it is legal.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Lane_Splitting

[Thani-B]

I think it is seen as more acceptable these days. Cagers are realising that we will keep on doing it whether they like it or not, and so some just make it easier for us by moving out of the way. Of course they could just fear for their mirrors..

[CookMySock]

Yeah but what about all the other 'dangerous driving' parts - not maintaining a suitable following distance etc. Technically it is illegal as at no point when passing is there 100m of clear road in front of the vehicle - assuming you are passing, in which case you would be pulling back into the lane as soon as you have completed the pass.This is another thing I like about bikes. Many of the rules seemingly do not apply.


think about what you are doing and be sensible and you'll get away with it.Agreed. It seems we are afforded extra rights, and along with those rights are certain responsibilities. use wisely etc yadda yadda - thats what I always say.

Steve

[AD345]

Lane splitting at 140+, loud pipes terrifying all and sundry, big heavy bike wobbling all over the place, whoopsss.cutting it a little fine, distant discordant blare of horn........


God I Love being a sterotype

[sAsLEX]

Maybe people got tired of panels being kicked in and wing mirrors taken off?

[mattian]

is lane-splitting illegal?

goodness me. if I had a dollar for everytime this question was asked.

SEARCH THREAD :2thumbsup

[StoneY]

Lane splitting at 140+, loud pipes terrifying all and sundry, big heavy bike wobbling all over the place, whoopsss.cutting it a little fine, distant discordant blare of horn........


God I Love being a sterotype

Best post of the thread, :2thumbsup

[MarkH]

3.) It feels illegal, when its not.. but still..

It is the way I do it! :whocares:

[Maki]

Lane splitting is not a big deal. Do it like you mean it and cagers will respect you.

[Ragingrob]

Not illegal as I understand.

Passing stopped cars is fine, they are deemed to be parked.

Overtaking on the right is fine. Stay in the lane with car on your left, do it at low speed so as to not be dangerous. All good.

How long are cars technically parked for on a motorway? A few seconds max lol?

Overtaking a car on its right is legal, undertaking a car on its left is illegal.

[Maki]

How long are cars technically parked for on a motorway? A few seconds max lol?

Overtaking a car on its right is legal, undertaking a car on its left is illegal.

If they are doing less than 100kmh they are technically parked...

Seems like the undertaking rule is poorly followed, understood and enforced in this country. Most people seem to be ignorant of it which is a shame since adherence to it would make driving/riding safer.

[zapdog]

I find that in general Wellington motorists are pretty good at giving motorbikes space to go down the middle. There are still those motorists that only use the rear view mirror for looking at themselves and not the road, before they jump into the space beside them, so it caution is high on the list.
On the other hand, there are some, motorbike riders that blast through the middle at high velocity.:dodge:

[light]

My wife is converted... Got home last week and she was telling how she moved over for a biker and he "actually waved at me" She was really excited about it and said she'll be taking more notice and moving over more now.

Who ever it was that waved thumbs up :)

[vifferman]

Overtaking a car on its right is legal, undertaking a car on its left is illegal.
And the other option(s)? :confused:
(Yes, I have tried overtaking a car in the middle...)

[Ragingrob]

And the other option(s)? :confused:
(Yes, I have tried overtaking a car in the middle...)

Chuck some knobblies on and overtake a car over the car :headbang:

[CookMySock]

Maybe people got tired of panels being kicked in and wing mirrors taken off?Hey what is there not to like about that? :crazy:


If they are doing less than 100kmh they are technically parked...
Eh? It looked like they were going backwards to me.


My wife is converted... Got home last week and she was telling how she moved over for a biker and he "actually waved at me" She was really excited about it and said she'll be taking more notice and moving over more now.Sigh, bikers are gods aren't they.. sigh.. :drool:

Steve

[nico]

Lane spliting is the best invention known to man, it means I can get home from work about 20- 25 minutes quicker than when i have to be caged. I have noticed fewer and fewer cagers trying to kill me so it must be getting acceptable.



MARK IT SEEMS TAXI'S HAVE A THING FOR RED BIKES IT MUST BE THE MAGNET EFFECT THEY GET CLOSER AND CLOSER EVERY DAY I MUST KEEP EM AWAY WITH A QUASIMOTO GLOVE THRU THERE WINDOW LOL (hows that for a bump in sales quasi havent hurt a knuckle yet)

[Anarkist]

I split at anything up to 140ish if other cars are going 110 or so.

That's only cos the VTR won't go much faster though. :weep:

[Insanity_rules]

MARK IT SEEMS TAXI'S HAVE A THING FOR RED BIKES IT MUST BE THE MAGNET EFFECT THEY GET CLOSER AND CLOSER EVERY DAY I MUST KEEP EM AWAY WITH A QUASIMOTO GLOVE THRU THERE WINDOW LOL (hows that for a bump in sales quasi havent hurt a knuckle yet)

Actually yeah, the only thing that has had a go at me lately was a taxi van. You might be on to something there Wil.

[nico]

Actually yeah, the only thing that has had a go at me lately was a taxi van. You might be on to something there Wil.

it seems to be a daily battle for me

[Swoop]

No.

Critical mass is when all the sunshine riders come out of the closet and wobble along in 2a without the ability to use their mirrors.:(

[Indiana_Jones]

Have the police all got a similar engagement policy for lane splitters, like it's safe up until a certain speed differential?

Attitudes seem to have changed in the last couple of years.

Split right past a cop car on the bridge today.

They didn't seem to give a fuck.

As long as you're not doing something stupid like splitting at 50kph+ what everyone else is doing no one is gonna mind. But saying that you always get one or two dicks who try to cut you off just because.....well they're dicks.

-Indy

[sedge]

Ah, lane splitting and ACC, two hot topics... I'll happily pay the ACC fee if they make lane splitting legal :)

Coz the tickets I've had for lane splitting (called unsafe lane change or unsafe overtaking or something) cost more than the rego fee increase.

Sedge.

[kwaka_crasher]

Technically it is illegal as at no point when passing is there 100m of clear road in front of the vehicle - assuming you are passing, in which case you would be pulling back into the lane as soon as you have completed the pass.

Wrong. There is no requirement for 100m clear road ahead through the manouvre because you're not crossing the centreline.

[zeocen]

I've had a few woopsie moments with cars, but it's mostly because they just simply cannot see me and I've come to live with it - on the other hand I have seen some real shockers lane splitting! Sometimes I fall back in line in fear of the cars they just passed take it out on me :(

By majority, though, cars (especially trucks! they're the best!) are pretty good to me. A very good portion of them move over if they see me, but I'm not going like a bat out of hell most days, so it's quite casual.

[CookMySock]

the tickets I've had for lane splitting (called unsafe lane change or unsafe overtaking or something) cost more than the rego fee increase.What the hell did you pay that for ? You are fully entitled to do that, unless you are weaving around like a fool. :(

Steve

[Gareth51]

The faster split the more fun it is

[Ragingrob]

What the hell did you pay that for ? You are fully entitled to do that, unless you are weaving around like a fool. :(

Steve

Fully entitled to do what exactly?

[McJim]

I actually miss lane splitting in Auckland - never had any close calls - always seemed to be able to anticipate fuckwits and with clear signals to the cars around me everything was pretty cool:cool:

I ALWAYS used to wave a thank you to other courteous drivers. Courtesy costs nothing but it's amazing how much you can buy with it.

Over the years I did this in Auckland I got used to the same courteous cars and the same fuckwits so I knew who to avoid and who would let me pass. People are creatures of habit and generally leave for work the same time every day.

Maybe it has improved further as more imigrants from countries where lane splitting is absolutely expected of motorcycles have come to live in New Zealand.

Remember - road courtesy is alive and well outside New Zealand.

[Indiana_Jones]

The faster split the more fun it is


REDLINE TO THE DEADLINE

-Indy

[bull]

Still a few riders on Welly commute whom hardly ever check their mirrors, get stuck behind them and just keep waiting and waiting then finally they take a glimpse in mirror and pull over to let me go.

Still a harrowing time spliting and even got cut off by a car whom never saw me, and ended up sharing paint with the right side of his bumper vs my left side fairing. Use to be a guy on SV650 whom would cane it through the cars but id assume he may have had a crash as he was going real slow last time i saw him.

[tomobedlam]

I'll be splitting even more come July next year. If I have to pay so much to be able to do it, I'll be getting my moneys worth.

[Hopeful Bastard]

while im in my cage, Whenever i am travelling down the road, Whether it be 50k or 100k, I will always move over to the left to allow room for you other bikers to pass safely. I know what it is like to be stuck behind traffic. Sad thing is.. Only about 25% of the people i let through, Acknowledge i have done something generous for them..

[Hawkeye]

Still a few riders on Welly commute whom hardly ever check their mirrors, get stuck behind them and just keep waiting and waiting then finally they take a glimpse in mirror and pull over to let me go.



With you there Bull. I get this everyday on the commute into Welly on SH1. There are a number of bikers who are prepared to split but only at around 3-4k faster than the cages. They never look in their mirrors and have no idea someone is behind them.
I also come across the other kind of inconsiderate rider. You know the ones. Don't split but hug the white line so they have a safe exit. No problem with that but they never move over when another bike wants passed. Trouble is, if the gap opens, you don't know if they are going to go for it, just as you decide to go passed.
The number of times I have had to go off the Churton Park slip, over the top and back onto SH1 so I could get in front of them. The Gorge is another place where I have had to switch to the left hand lane to get passed a slower splitter in the right lane.
I don't split at rocket speed but I am prepared to be travelling 10-15k faster than the cages (until they are moving at a reasonable rate). And it pisses me off when slower splitters won't move over.
I'm also suprised at the number of splitters I seen lately who still have 'L's on. FFS. They have yet to get the skill set to do that especially in rush hour.

[sAsLEX]

I actually miss lane splitting in Auckland - never had any close calls - always seemed to be able to anticipate fuckwits and with clear signals to the cars around me everything was pretty cool:cool:


The spidey sense goes away after a while, now I don't commute on the MW every day I have to be a little more careful!


Still a few riders on Welly commute whom hardly ever check their mirrors, get stuck behind them and just keep waiting and waiting then finally they take a glimpse in mirror and pull over to let me go.


It is very hard to check mirrors splitting, you need all your concentration focussed forward as it only takes a fraction of a second for the situation to change and then a need to react.

Though if anyone is wanting to get by me when I am splitting they are fair moving.

[MaxCannon]

I lane split every day and usually find people are happy to move.
Do it sensibly and you'll avoid pissing anyone off.

One dude at a set of traffic lights did get really angry with me and started hurling abuse.
I did think about dragging him from the car and kicking him to death (I heard you only get 3 years in prison so long as you say sorry afterwards) but I just ignored him and then caned it from the lights.

I've also noticed drivers willing to move over on the open road.
Today I had three in a row all make a big effort to let me through. Wasn't actually going that much faster than they were but it's nice to see people using their mirrors.

[cs363]

Where in the world is Wanganui???


On the muddy bottom of a quite shallow hole.

Oh, no wonder I can never find it - I thought it was on the other side of the bridge to nowhere... :laugh:

[st00ji]

I actually miss lane splitting in Auckland - never had any close calls - always seemed to be able to anticipate fuckwits and with clear signals to the cars around me everything was pretty cool:cool:

I ALWAYS used to wave a thank you to other courteous drivers. Courtesy costs nothing but it's amazing how much you can buy with it.

Over the years I did this in Auckland I got used to the same courteous cars and the same fuckwits so I knew who to avoid and who would let me pass. People are creatures of habit and generally leave for work the same time every day.

Maybe it has improved further as more imigrants from countries where lane splitting is absolutely expected of motorcycles have come to live in New Zealand.

Remember - road courtesy is alive and well outside New Zealand.

i've never seen you post without complaining about NZ drivers. we are a bunch of arrogant pricks, get over it! way to portray the whinging pom to a tee. if you dont like it then im sure you can go back to ole blighty :P

[Maki]

With you there Bull. I get this everyday on the commute into Welly on SH1. There are a number of bikers who are prepared to split but only at around 3-4k faster than the cages. They never look in their mirrors and have no idea someone is behind them.
I also come across the other kind of inconsiderate rider. You know the ones. Don't split but hug the white line so they have a safe exit. No problem with that but they never move over when another bike wants passed. Trouble is, if the gap opens, you don't know if they are going to go for it, just as you decide to go passed.
The number of times I have had to go off the Churton Park slip, over the top and back onto SH1 so I could get in front of them. The Gorge is another place where I have had to switch to the left hand lane to get passed a slower splitter in the right lane.
I don't split at rocket speed but I am prepared to be travelling 10-15k faster than the cages (until they are moving at a reasonable rate). And it pisses me off when slower splitters won't move over.
I'm also suprised at the number of splitters I seen lately who still have 'L's on. FFS. They have yet to get the skill set to do that especially in rush hour.

With you on the mirror thing. Just be careful in your assumptions about L platers. They may have been riding/racing for years and are only now bothering to get a proper licence, hence the L plate. For all you know they may have more skills than you do....

[centaurus]

Still a few riders on Welly commute whom hardly ever check their mirrors, get stuck behind them and just keep waiting and waiting then finally they take a glimpse in mirror and pull over to let me go.

It must be frustrating for you, but unfortunately some bikers are such "in a hurry" that don't even bother waiting.

Not commuting on the motorway, I don't have enough skill to split, so unless traffic is crawling at 20kph, I don't split, but I've been caught a few times splitting at 40kph when the traffic was doing less than 20kph and "getting split" by some fuckwit going close to 100kph that came so fast from behind between the cars that I didn't even have time to see him/her and react (I check my mirrors every 3-4 seconds).

And instead of slowing down and waiting for a wider gap, he just brushed between me and one row of cars (while I was splitting) almost dropping me.

I guess my point is: Lane splitting is GOOD and done properly it is also safe enough, but some idiots take it way too far and one day the law will be changed to specifically forbid lane splitting for all of us because of a few idiots that think the motorway is their own racetrack and ride with no regard for other motorists.

[Anarkist]

It must be frustrating for you, but unfortunately some bikers are such "in a hurry" that don't even bother waiting.

Not commuting on the motorway, I don't have enough skill to split, so unless traffic is crawling at 20kph, I don't split, but I've been caught a few times splitting at 40kph when the traffic was doing less than 20kph and "getting split" by some fuckwit going close to 100kph that came so fast from behind between the cars that I didn't even have time to see him/her and react (I check my mirrors every 3-4 seconds).

And instead of slowing down and waiting for a wider gap, he just brushed between me and one row of cars (while I was splitting) almost dropping me.

I guess my point is: Lane splitting is GOOD and done properly it is also safe enough, but some idiots take it way too far and one day the law will be changed to specifically forbid lane splitting for all of us because of a few idiots that think the motorway is their own racetrack and ride with no regard for other motorists.

Well don't split like a pussy then. If you're gonna do it that slowly do it between the first and second lanes, not the third.
Splitting requires very little 'riding' skills. You just need to be alert, cover your brakes and have a bit of initiative.

[zjet]

Personaly I have not found to many issues with this and i do, do it all the time, however I take to slow give time for people to know i,m coming through and sometimes people add alil more room for me.
I have had a prat jam his car right up the ass end of the car infront of him so I couldn't merge into the lane once, I just slowed down looked at him through his window shock my head went up the left of the lane 5 cars up where a good cage driver understood what was going on, then let me in I moved straight to the right of the lane and procceded to over take along the right slowly as I moved along traffic.

And when i,m in my car I aways move over for bikes but can't help thinkning "you lucky buggers, i should be doing that" :P

[MarkH]

And when i,m in my car I aways move over for bikes but can't help thinkning "you lucky buggers, i should be doing that" :P

I did that before I got back into biking, then I got back into biking, now I have sold my car. Commuting in Auckland just isn't fun in a car.

[Pixie]

"I don't let them past because what they are doing is dangerous"

"thank you for caring.Now about your undersized penis......."