"A couple of seconds from disaster"

[DangerMice]

or "How I nearly stacked it in the bus lane"

Was cruising home tonight up Great North road from Western Springs up to Pt Chev. Traffic was slow so I took to the bus lane. A few hundred meters ahead I saw a car slowly crossing the bus lane to turn right across the traffic. He cleared the bus lane but was still blocking the car lane and I thought sweet I'll be able to pass behind him.

Then I noticed another car in the same driveway the first car had come from, but they hadn't yet crossed the footpath. I rolled off the throttle a little, "just in case". As I approached, the first car was still blocking the car lane, but to my horror I suddenly noticed a thin tow rope strung tautly between the two cars about 30cms off the ground.

Holy fucking hell, I have never braked so hard in my life, and managed to stop a meter short of the rope, with the woman in the car being towed staring at me in horror, which quickly turned into eyes closed, hand on heart relief. She'd obviously been thinking I wasn't going to stop.

I uttered a few choice expletives at no-one in particular, more in relief of avoiding a superman than anything, and the woman in the car gave me the finger. Nice.

If I hadn't seen that rope when I did, I wouldn't have been able to stop and I think I probably would have been catapulted over the bars.

Funny thing is, a few hours later, I don't really remember consciously applying the brakes, just seemed to be an instant reaction. I do remember thinking when I stopped, "what the hell is that noise" and then I realised I had such a death grip on the bars & brake levers that I still had a fair bit of throttle on. That wouldn't have helped me stopping!

So, I'm off to practice some more "vigorous" emergency stopping. I never would have thought I could brake that hard without locking the front up. Thank Jebus it was dry today. Might try letting the throttle off fully too LOL.

DangerMice (pleased not to be another ACC scooter stat)

[wbks]

or "How I nearly stacked it in the bus lane"

Was cruising home tonight up Great North road from Western Springs up to Pt Chev. Traffic was slow so I took to the bus lane. A few hundred meters ahead I saw a car slowly crossing the bus lane to turn right across the traffic. He cleared the bus lane but was still blocking the car lane and I thought sweet I'll be able to pass behind him.

Then I noticed another car in the same driveway the first car had come from, but they hadn't yet crossed the footpath. I rolled off the throttle a little, "just in case". As I approached, the first car was still blocking the car lane, but to my horror I suddenly noticed a thin tow rope strung tautly between the two cars about 30cms off the ground.

Holy fucking hell, I have never braked so hard in my life, and managed to stop a meter short of the rope, with the woman in the car being towed staring at me in horror, which quickly turned into eyes closed, hand on heart relief. She'd obviously been thinking I wasn't going to stop.

I uttered a few choice expletives at no-one in particular, more in relief of avoiding a superman than anything, and the woman in the car gave me the finger. Nice.

If I hadn't seen that rope when I did, I wouldn't have been able to stop and I think I probably would have been catapulted over the bars.

Funny thing is, a few hours later, I don't really remember consciously applying the brakes, just seemed to be an instant reaction. I do remember thinking when I stopped, "what the hell is that noise" and then I realised I had such a death grip on the bars & brake levers that I still had a fair bit of throttle on. That wouldn't have helped me stopping!

So, I'm off to practice some more "vigorous" emergency stopping. I never would have thought I could brake that hard without locking the front up. Thank Jebus it was dry today. Might try letting the throttle off fully too LOL.

DangerMice (pleased not to be another ACC scooter stat)I know it probably would have been your fault for riding in a lane illegally if you crashed, but they were blocking both lanes with a tripwire and she pulled the finger at you? reminds me of passing a car just as they decide to make an un indicated pass themselves and when they just about push you off road they always make sure to flick the finger as well! Same with a dude whose trailer fell apart dropping a trailer gate and shit all over the place, when I passed him and gave him a "wtf" look he actually looked pissed off at ME!:gob:

[quickbuck]

Good save dude.
I take it that you are actually allowed to ride in the bus lane? I know it changes from city to city...

Anyhow, yes, now you know you can actually haul up the scoot pretty quickly provided you apply the brakes progressively.
I mean, you can apply them quickly, but it has to be progressive.. ie, no snatching.... Actually you might be able to get away with that on the scooter too.... Just not a big bike.

[DangerMice]

I take it that you are actually allowed to ride in the bus lane? I know it changes from city to city... Yip, I am

Thinking more about it, I was probably in no danger of locking up the rear brake, it's a tiny little drum and piss weak lol, but the front disc did me proud :)

[sil3nt]

uhh hang on why did she give you the finger?

[Mully]

I know it probably would have been your fault for riding in a lane illegally if you crashed, :

Nope. Motorcycles are legally allowed to use bus lanes in Auckland City.

It might have been his fault for failing to stop short of the cars. Although they were blocking a special vehicle lane - grey area.

[DangerMice]

uhh hang on why did she give you the finger?

probably thought I was swearing at her directly when I wasn't, but under the circumstances, I probably should have!

[Sis]

Roll off the THROTTLE
Progressively squeeze the FRONT brake
Pull in the CLUTCH
Apply the REAR brake
Change GEAR so that by the time you stop you are in first gear, ready for a quick get-out-of-harms-way, if required.

Now go out and practise

And congratulations!

[p.dath]

Nope. Motorcycles are legally allowed to use bus lanes in Auckland City.

It might have been his fault for failing to stop short of the cars. Although they were blocking a special vehicle lane - grey area.

He would have been failing to stop short of a taught rope, not any vehicles. No vehicles were in his path.

My guess is the driver with the vehicle under power would have copped it. Usually the person doing the towing (e,g. with a trailer) carries the responsibility for both themselves and their load.

[DangerMice]

It might have been his fault for failing to stop short of the cars. Although they were blocking a special vehicle lane - grey area.

Yeah I have no idea ay. It was so hard to spot, because neither car was actually *in* the bus lane, just the tow rope. Scared the crap out of me thinking about it at the next set of lights.

[quickbuck]

Roll off the THROTTLE
Progressively squeeze the FRONT brake
Pull in the CLUTCH
Apply the REAR brake
Change GEAR so that by the time you stop you are in first gear, ready for a quick get-out-of-harms-way, if required.

Now go out and practise

And congratulations!

Yeah, all good... BUT he was on a Jog!
As in a Yamaha 50 scooter. No Clutch or gears. Rear brake on the left hand.....

[wbks]

They can use bus lane? Is that for sure? Not like splitting will be ok with some cops but not others, but actually legit? I guess it was the dudes fault then. Pulling out in front of a vehicle and then abusing them? Lol

[breakaway]

probably thought I was swearing at her directly when I wasn't, but under the circumstances, I probably should have!

While other drivers are supposed to be watching out for you, the ultimate responsibility falls on you to ensure your saftey. Ignore this and you will pay the ultimate price sooner or later.

Learn to expect this sort of shit. That way you'll never be 'surprised' like this again.

[quickbuck]

While other drivers are supposed to be watching out for you, the ultimate responsibility falls on you to ensure your saftey. Ignore this and you will pay the ultimate price sooner or later.

Learn to expect this sort of shit. That way you'll never be 'surprised' like this again.

This is very true......

[Mully]

He would have been failing to stop short of a taught rope, not any vehicles. No vehicles were in his path.

My guess is the driver with the vehicle under power would have copped it. Usually the person doing the towing (e,g. with a trailer) carries the responsibility for both themselves and their load.

Yeah, that's what I would have thought - although he failed to stop short of the obstruction, the tow-er would have copped the blame, ultimately. It's not reasonable to expect the motorcyclist to see a rope crossing his path and the towing car should have an obligation to ensure that his convoy isn't obstructing...


They can use bus lane? Is that for sure? Not like splitting will be ok with some cops but not others, but actually legit? I guess it was the dudes fault then. Pulling out in front of a vehicle and then abusing them? Lol

Yep - offical Auckland City policy. Any bus lanes, unless they say "buses only", are available for bikes and cycles.

Except motorways, which belong to Transit (or whatever they're called this week)

[Marmoot]

They can use bus lane? Is that for sure? Not like splitting will be ok with some cops but not others, but actually legit?

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/transport/buses/lanes.asp


Bikes use bus lanes too! Buses, cycles and motorcycles are all authorised users of bus lanes, so keep an eye out for them.

And no, it's not the buslanes alongside the Motorways.

[gatch]

Just tonight I was on my vfr in Palmy, turning right on the square to head down Main st.

Could see the lady in the red civic across the round a bout, not looking anywhere but in front of her.. Was almost in her path when I decided to stop because she still hadn't even glanced in my direction.. As she passed in front of me I owned her with the horn and high beam, only to be given the finger and have her passengers lean out the window, shouting get fucked you wanker cunt etc..

It blows my mind, if I wasn't in charge, and she would have hit me, then despite being in the right, I get smoked. And for letting her know that she had fucked up, I get called a cunt. Some people are just too retarded for words man.

[wbks]

Just tonight I was on my vfr in Palmy, turning right on the square to head down Main st.

Could see the lady in the red civic across the round a bout, not looking anywhere but in front of her.. Was almost in her path when I decided to stop because she still hadn't even glanced in my direction.. As she passed in front of me I owned her with the horn and high beam, only to be given the finger and have her passengers lean out the window, shouting get fucked you wanker cunt etc..

It blows my mind, if I wasn't in charge, and she would have hit me, then despite being in the right, I get smoked. And for letting her know that she had fucked up, I get called a cunt. Some people are just too retarded for words man.They know they are in the wrong, so get extra defensive! Had someone in a car making a hell of a noise judging by their mouth moving a million ks a minute giving me an evil look as they pulled out in front of me at a 100km/h intersection once, and a dude on a harley with a big swastika painted on his tank gave me that stare as he pulled out in front of me at an intersection when I stopped just short of him as if I did something wrong...

[Jantar]

....Then I noticed another car in the same driveway the first car had come from, but they hadn't yet crossed the footpath. I rolled off the throttle a little, "just in case". As I approached, the first car was still blocking the car lane, but to my horror I suddenly noticed a thin tow rope strung tautly between the two cars about 30cms off the ground.

Holy fucking hell, I have never braked so hard in my life, and managed to stop a meter short of the rope, with the woman in the car being towed staring at me in horror, which quickly turned into eyes closed, hand on heart relief. She'd obviously been thinking I wasn't going to stop.

I uttered a few choice expletives at no-one in particular, more in relief of avoiding a superman than anything, and the woman in the car gave me the finger. Nice.

If I hadn't seen that rope when I did, I wouldn't have been able to stop and I think I probably would have been catapulted over the bars. ....

Many years ago (1975) I had a similar incident, but at much higher speed. I was riding my RE5 down hill just out of Berwick at around 130 and accelerating into a nice downhill sweeping right hander when I noticed a tractor parked on one side of the road, and a small truck on the other side. As I got closer I saw the wire rope strecthed between the two. Like you I grabbed all anchors and started down shifting. I saw that I wasn't going to stop in time, so I released the brakes, and just before I hit I gave it full throttle to lift the front wheel over the wire rope, and when the back whell hit I buttoned off again. The bike climbed over the wire rope nicely and I was able to stop safely further down the road. The drivers of both vehicles were rather contrite, but both were amazed that a bike could do that.

The lesson is that brakes will peel off speed to begin with, but sometimes its better to ride through the obstacle. You were able to stop in time, so your actions were the correct ones. Just keep in mind at all times that there may be alternatives and that those alternatives may save your life.

[jeffs]

Many years ago (1975) I had a similar incident, but at much higher speed. I was riding my RE5 down hill just out of Berwick at around 130 and accelerating into a nice downhill sweeping right hander when I noticed a tractor parked on one side of the road, and a small truck on the other side. As I got closer I saw the wire rope strecthed between the two. Like you I grabbed all anchors and started down shifting. I saw that I wasn't going to stop in time, so I released the brakes, and just before I hit I gave it full throttle to lift the front wheel over the wire rope, and when the back whell hit I buttoned off again. The bike climbed over the wire rope nicely and I was able to stop safely further down the road. The drivers of both vehicles were rather contrite, but both were amazed that a bike could do that.

The lesson is that brakes will peel off speed to begin with, but sometimes its better to ride through the obstacle. You were able to stop in time, so your actions were the correct ones. Just keep in mind at all times that there may be alternatives and that those alternatives may save your life.

If you jump the rope several times to music, its called skipping :)

[jeffs]

probably thought I was swearing at her directly when I wasn't, but under the circumstances, I probably should have!

Come on face it, you really were directing it at her subconsciously ;)

Look to the upside, you have learned something from this :)

You have now going out to learn how to brake better.

[Azi Dahaka]

Don't you have to tie a bright coloured flag on the rope just like over hanging loads on traliers?

[quickbuck]

Don't you have to tie a bright coloured flag on the rope just like over hanging loads on traliers?

You could be right.
I seem to recall reading somewhere that your rope must be between two lengths. Something like 2 metres, but no longer than 4?
And it would make sense to put something in the span if you are towing around traffic!

All that said, the on-line road code is as helpful as a chocolate teapot, and i can't find much on the subject.....

Even after a google, all I can really find is that from November 1st, you are limited to 50km/hr if using a rope. Only ridged towing systems can allow you to travel 90.

Update: Just found this. (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/about-driving/towing.html) Nothing about flags on the rope.... Sadly. Must say, it is a good idea.
Just because it isn't in the rules, doesn't mean it is a bad idea to do it.....

[Ender EnZed]

You have now going out to learn how to brake better.

Or you could skip that and just learn how to wheelie a Jog at 130.

[avgas]

lol imagine if it was a bus instead of a scooter......the tow rope would take on a whole new meaning

[quickbuck]

lol imagine if it was a bus instead of a scooter......the tow rope would take on a whole new meaning

Good point. Never thought of that one.

[vifferman]

So, I'm off to practice some more "vigorous" emergency stopping.
Last time I did that, I was surprised at how violent it is. At least it's not as violent as a collision, I guess.

[quickbuck]

Last time I did that, I was surprised at how violent it is. At least it's not as violent as a collision, I guess.

Good Arm workout then???

[pritch]

.
Learn to expect this sort of shit. That way you'll never be 'surprised' like this again.

I try to not be surprised at anything I see on the road but the incident as described was bloody unusual. Right out of left field so to speak.

That was a real world driving test and he passed.
The moped rider done good:yes:

[chasio]

Yep the rider definitely done good, given only a rope to spot. The relative angles of the cars may also have been a clue as well, I guess, as towed cars don't take a 'normal' line.

But I cannot believe a marker on the rope is not mandatory as it is in the UK. I certainly wouldn't tow without one.

My last emergency braking practise was last weekend. This has motivated me to do some more over the holidays...

[DangerMice]

Or you could skip that and just learn how to wheelie a Jog at 130.

Well my jog tops out at about 65 on the flat, so, hmmmm, maybe I could duct tape two together to get to 130. Might be tough to wheelie though

[DangerMice]

That was a real world driving test and he passed.
The moped rider done good:yes:


Yep the rider definitely done good, given only a rope to spot.

Cheers :2thumbsup

I've only been riding since March and am kind of used to the daily shit every rider puts up with from other road users, but that was the hairiest yet.

And it turns out that yes, I can lock up the rear with the piddly little drum brake. Did some practicing yesterday and when I *really* get on it, it skids. So, now to practise the old manual ABS. ;)

[wbks]

Cheers :2thumbsup

I've only been riding since March and am kind of used to the daily shit every rider puts up with from other road users, but that was the hairiest yet.

And it turns out that yes, I can lock up the rear with the piddly little drum brake. Did some practicing yesterday and when I *really* get on it, it skids. So, now to practise the old manual ABS. ;)can you drift into lefters now?

[Tink]

They can use bus lane? Is that for sure? Not like splitting will be ok with some cops but not others, but actually legit? I guess it was the dudes fault then. Pulling out in front of a vehicle and then abusing them? Lol

ROADCODE: Standard NZ

BUS ONLY SIGN = only busses

BUS LANE = Busses and cycles, motorcycles & mopeds...

:)

[DangerMice]

can you drift into lefters now?

You can't see I've crossed my fingers so I'm gonna say yes.

[Tink]

and to top that off.... a big pair of scissors to chop off her finger, and the rope.... I am not passionate towards people that think they can read lips... doh! They were in the wrong.... I wish I had the roadcode... hazzard lights I believe have t be running on both vehicles to state a situation!!!