right behaviour during heavy traffic

[lolo170379]

hey, there's something I want to know. I come from France and there we (bikers) use to go ahead between cars (slowly and carefully) while the traffic light is red and the cars are stopped or almost... But here, most of the bikers stay quiet in the queue and wait untill the light turns green. Do you think I'm wrong? Are you always quiet and well educated when the traffic is heavy and slow?
By the way, I've got my bike (900RFR) since one month... great!

[BNZ]

hey, there's something I want to know. I come from France and there we (bikers) use to go ahead between cars (slowly and carefully) while the traffic light is red and the cars are stopped or almost... But here, most of the bikers stay quiet in the queue and wait untill the light turns green. Do you think I'm wrong? Are you always quiet and well educated when the traffic is heavy and slow?
By the way, I've got my bike (900RFR) since one month... great!

Well i would get on well in france then :msn-wink:

[justsomeguy]

Heheheh...... you need to get out more often.... cos most of us do have behavioural problems......:yes:

And no we don't do careful here.....:Punk:

[justsomeguy]

Can you make this ride????

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=11626

I promise you, you will come away smiling.......

[RDJ]

Personally... I stay in lane unless the queue is miles long.

Lane-splitting seems to really annoy some car drivers who will go out of their way to cut you off. And if you dent their mirrors or doors... no excuse.

2c...

[Zed]

hey, there's something I want to know. I come from France and there we (bikers) use to go ahead between cars (slowly and carefully) while the traffic light is red and the cars are stopped or almost... But here, most of the bikers stay quiet in the queue and wait untill the light turns green. Do you think I'm wrong? Are you always quiet and well educated when the traffic is heavy and slow?
By the way, I've got my bike (900RFR) since one month... great!Personally I ride between the cagers and make sure I'm ahead of the traffic at traffic lights, etc, I regularly see other motorcyclists doing it too. Maybe just a greater majority of riders do it in France? How long have you been observing this behaviour in NZ? :spudwow:

Btw, congratulations on the new bike! There are a number of Suzooki RF900 owners amongst us here.

[FEINT]

If traffic is at a complete stop and the queue is real long, I will go down the middle, if not I won't bother. From my understanding, if the traffic is at a complete standstill or at a red light, it is legal to ride down the middle.

[Suney]

I only do it if my friend does it
Im too scared to do it alone :(

[Lou Girardin]

I filter on principle. I don't ride a bike to stay in queues, if cagers don't like it (most are OK) they can buy a bike too. Besides, being first at the lights gives me a good safety cushion when they change.

[lolo170379]

sounds great, let's see

[lolo170379]

Can you make this ride????

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=11626

I promise you, you will come away smiling.......

sorry,
I mean
sounds great, let's see.

[NinjaBoy]

I generally only lane split or go to the front of the lights when there is a reasonable amount of room between the lanes. If the traffic speed gets above 40-50km I re-integrate into the flow of traffic. I try really hard not to piss anyone off and always wave/ :niceone: when someone moves over.

[lolo170379]

ok, so who are the guys staying behind the cars? I not blame them, I just think that one of the bike convenient is don't losing too much time in the traffic. And sometimes, when I pass them at the end of a million km queue, I think "why did you buy a bike?". But anyone ride bike as he/she feels anyway.

[Waylander]

ok, so who are the guys staying behind the cars? I not blame them, I just think that one of the bike convenient is don't losing too much time in the traffic. And sometimes, when I pass them at the end of a million km queue, I think "why did you buy a bike?". But anyone ride bike as he/she feels anyway.

Been riding for a few years now and I rarely lane split or light sifting. Only really do it when I am riding with someone who does or am in a hurry to get to somewhere wich isn't often. I also never lane split when I have a pillion. I use riding to relax and relieve stress so I don't want to add more to it.

[johnsf1980]

If traffic is at a complete stop and the queue is real long, I will go down the middle, if not I won't bother. From my understanding, if the traffic is at a complete standstill or at a red light, it is legal to ride down the middle.

Is that really legal? How about riding on the flush median up Tamaki Drive in the mornings if the cages are crawling? Ive seen heaps of other riders do it but Im not quite sure if its legal!

[Waylander]

Is that really legal? How about riding on the flush median up Tamaki Drive in the mornings if the cages are crawling? Ive seen heaps of other riders do it but Im not quite sure if its legal!

Heaps of cars do that too. I've even see a a few cars drive on the wrong side of the road trying to get up to the front. Most of them were making a right turn a the lights though.

[Sensei]

Its all good till some one opens their door to check a flat tyre etc .then Ouch :devil2:

[Bren_chch]

I only do it if my friend does it
Im too scared to do it alone :(

same lol...

[lolo170379]

Been riding for a few years now and I rarely lane split or light sifting. Only really do it when I am riding with someone who does or am in a hurry to get to somewhere wich isn't often. I also never lane split when I have a pillion. I use riding to relax and relieve stress so I don't want to add more to it.

Yes you're right. My european stress culture is stronger than my too recent relax NZ culture.

[johnsf1980]

Heaps of cars do that too. I've even see a a few cars drive on the wrong side of the road trying to get up to the front. Most of them were making a right turn a the lights though.

But if a cop that was having a bad day saw ya they could ticket you aye?

[FEINT]

Is that really legal? How about riding on the flush median up Tamaki Drive in the mornings if the cages are crawling? Ive seen heaps of other riders do it but Im not quite sure if its legal!

From what I know riding up the middle when traffic is stopped at the lights or gridlock is legal. Better ask around first! I wouldn't want you getting a ticket then blaming me :whistle: :whistle: I don't think you are allowed to ride your bike on the flush median either, but most bikers do it. I do.... :whistle: :whistle:

[chickenfunkstar]

But if a cop that was having a bad day saw ya they could ticket you aye?

lol, yeah :yes:

You'd probably get ticketed even if they weren't having a bad day

[N4CR]

Is that really legal? How about riding on the flush median up Tamaki Drive in the mornings if the cages are crawling? Ive seen heaps of other riders do it but Im not quite sure if its legal!

:laugh: usually the traffic is doing its usual 60-65kmh (15ks over) in the mornings for me so I have never thaught of doing that. Reminds me of when a cop went past doing 65 with everyone following... weird.
Im sure the police would not like you 'exploding the exhaust box' up the middle of a 4 laned road.

[sparrow_34]

I filter on principle. I don't ride a bike to stay in queues, if cagers don't like it (most are OK) they can buy a bike too. Besides, being first at the lights gives me a good safety cushion when they change.
What he said. :niceone:

[Waylander]

But if a cop that was having a bad day saw ya they could ticket you aye?
Mate if a cop was having a bad day and really lookin for someone to ticket and picks you there aint nothin you can do about it they will find some reason for it.

[Zed]

I use riding to relax and relieve stress so I don't want to add more to it.What?? You're only 22 years of age and are unemployed (still?) and you suffer from stress? :bye:

Splitting queues at traffic lights and getting away out in front = 'stress therapy' IMHO! (not that I suffer from stress :msn-wink: )

[Waylander]

What?? You're only 22 years of age and are unemployed (still?) and you suffer from stress? :bye:

Splitting queues at traffic lights and getting away out in front = 'stress therapy' IMHO! (not that I suffer from stress :msn-wink: )

Moving from the states fighting with immigration and the LTSA to get everything my bike and I need to be legal in this country combined with school troubles and life troubles. It's actually a wonder my stress levels are so low.:msn-wink:

[Biff]

I filter if it's a long queue. But the number of times Mr Numb Nuts hoon has accelerated hard away from the lights trying to show off to Ms Hoon makes me a little wary at times. I've even had a 4xfuckwit catch me on the leg once as the prick wheel spun away and swerved in doing so. But it is a sweeeet feeling pulling away hard from arseholes like this on one wheel. :yes:

Although I must say having driven and ridden in France dozens of times over the years - I'll stick with Kiwi riding practices merci.

[250learna]

yeah i will go down the middle if que is long and trafic slow, when tehy start moving (40+) i join in as soon as i find a safe gap :yes:
but i get a lift to wellington most mornings (rush hour) and i see countless bikes go down the middle, and have yet to see one waiting in a long que with cars :ride:
If you can and your careful and safe, then why not? :niceone:

[Wonko]

I only lane split on days ending in 'Y'.

I know that it is a grey area in regard to the law. Some people say yes, others no, all depending apon x,y, or z being present. If the officer wants to ticket you , they will, and I accept that risk.

Nice to escape grid lock, also helps to aviod cars that are behaving in unpredictable manners. I took me a while before lane spliting was a regular part of my riding, but I wouldn't be without it now.

[danb]

Well knowing Pakuranga Highway at 7.30 to 8.00am and me on a L plate :mad: I think it will be a while yet before I try that. Bad enough in the cage. I still haven’t attempted the highway yet in the Morning. Lets just say it doesn’t look to Learner Rider Inviting - To many crazy people all in such good moods "cough'"cough" to get to work in the morning. :killingme
As for the crazy drivers (Especially women in Remura Tractors) doing weird and wonderful unsafe driving skills :finger: :D

[Holy Roller]

Make sure the bike will fit down the gap.
havent been keen to try it on my new one yet. still getting to know her :love:

[Zapf]

Well knowing Pakuranga Highway at 7.30 to 8.00am and me on a L plate :mad: I think it will be a while yet before I try that. Bad enough in the cage. I still haven’t attempted the highway yet in the Morning. Lets just say it doesn’t look to Learner Rider Inviting - To many crazy people all in such good moods "cough'"cough" to get to work in the morning. :killingme
As for the crazy drivers (Especially women in Remura Tractors) doing weird and wonderful unsafe driving skills :finger: :D

no.... pakuranga hiway has narrow lanes... not good for splitting.

but if traffic is stopped you are technically passing stationary traffic. Must make sure not on median, as that is NOT a passing area.

[Brian d marge]

Its all good till some one opens their door to check a flat tyre etc .then Ouch :devil2:

Sorry dispatch rider for many years ..fly down the centre between cars ...quite comfortable at 100 k with an inch either side( called the m1 friday nite with a poxy milton kynes,,,,,) ...and yes The guy in front jumped out to chat up the bird in front ...It was a rental , now its a jeep minus a door ...you just bounce off the walls like a small corridor ....

and I know how the original poster feels like ...when I first came back to NZ a few of my european pal and I went for a bit of a ride .....we looked around and the 2 nz people were gone ...we thought they had an accident so panicking we dashed back ...only to find them sitting at the 1 st set of traffic lights .....I think we felt the more stupid of the lot!!!

Mind you that was Christchurch ,,,and the big cities up north ,,I see people riding ,,,,more freely,,,, and where do you split lanes in chch ..no point as in a couple of kms u are in free flowing traffic ...and moving 3 cars ahead doesnt save a lot of time :ride:

( Mind you now the car has a dvd player built into the dash ( all standard) ,,,i dont care if the lights change ,,,,I just carry on watching the dvd ..... :devil2: )

Stephen

[dart1202]

possible in my country at least order as in franc, very is not orderly that which I spell out members, many impinged fringes, but in my town very orderly because of old town of limitation of speed in town only 60km while outside town 120km, but I often impinge because i late to office..

[Lou Girardin]

Make sure the bike will fit down the gap.
havent been keen to try it on my new one yet. still getting to know her :love:

And make sure you don't have panniers on and forget about them (cough, blush)

[pommie girl]

Yeah, lane splitting is a part of every morning for me - cagers on the northern tend to (generally) be more aware in the morning. I always signal when I'm lane splitting as I've been told that it means the police are less likely to ticket you for it. When the traffic starts moving around 40kph I'll just slot back in... as for traffic lights, it depends on whether I can see any advantage in filtering through to the front... problem is with a 250 that I can't guarantee being able to leave the front cars far, far behind :D especially when Mr Inadequate in the car beside you decides that he wants to race and that there's no way this side of armageddon he's going to let you get in front of him... :mad:

[Keeper]

I'm very comfy lane splitting at any speed to be honest, hell if it's a 100 kph zone and the cages are only doing 20 kph, i wont go over 100, but when they get up to 100kph+ i still feel comfy splitting, just keep and eye on the drivers body language, what they are doing (eating, sleeping, talking on a phone) and how bumpy the middle ripple strip is (some times it forces you into a lane which sucks)

in town, bah only place to be is at the front of the traffic

[bugsonteeth]

Used to zip right between cars, never gave it another thought, until one fine day, on my way to Los Angeles airport, right in front of us, a sport bike was doing that in a standing lane and a car door OPENED! Ouch, that guy spanked really hard!
I still do it now, but only slowly enough to STOP if I see a door moving.
Who cares if it's illegal or not, does it HURT you and your bike is the real question here, and that's an unqualified YES, A LOT!

[BM-GS]

Lane-splitting used to be almost compulsory in the UK, but here it depends on several factors. In rough order:

How wide is the gap to the front of the q? ( I ride a BM boxer, so it's got to be w i d e )
Am I in a rush?
Will I get through on the next change of lights if I sit at the back?
Is the trafffic moving, or likely to move before I get to the front?
What else is going on besides the obvious? (ie: junctions, people indicating in funny places, ped crossings, bicycles, etc)

I'll go if I feel the need and there's space, but I hate being beside moving traffic - stopped traffic can't run you over. Moving = ~40km/h on the motorway, ~20km/h off it.

Since I moved here, either the Force is weaker or my 6th sense is decaying, so best stay in one piece to enjoy the beach next summer, eh?

[Waylander]

Used to zip right between cars, never gave it another thought, until one fine day, on my way to Los Angeles airport, right in front of us, a sport bike was doing that in a standing lane and a car door OPENED! Ouch, that guy spanked really hard!
I still do it now, but only slowly enough to STOP if I see a door moving.
Who cares if it's illegal or not, does it HURT you and your bike is the real question here, and that's an unqualified YES, A LOT!

Actually it is legal n Calfornia up to 15mph. Wich is just right for seeing a car door open and beng able to stop in time. Anyway the reason for t is becouse bikers told the council that sittng n traffc on a bike with aircooled engines coul run them. And snce it was mostly the big rich actors and stuff that brought it to thier attention the council actually listend.

[Keeper]

Actually it is legal n Calfornia up to 15mph. Wich is just right for seeing a car door open and beng able to stop in time. Anyway the reason for t is becouse bikers told the council that sittng n traffc on a bike with aircooled engines coul run them. And snce it was mostly the big rich actors and stuff that brought it to thier attention the council actually listend.

Hmm... California,

wouldn't that make it therefore legal to lanesplit on a Y2K while not wearing a helmet, as long as you stay under 15kph???

[Coldkiwi]

hey, there's something I want to know. I come from France and there we (bikers) use to go ahead between cars (slowly and carefully) while the traffic light is red and the cars are stopped or almost... But here, most of the bikers stay quiet in the queue and wait untill the light turns green.

lolo, I'm with you mate! I've got no idea why so many bikers in Auckland stuff around waiting for cars to move. If I was going to wait in a queue, I'd rather have a comfy seat and some nice music (ie a CAR).

My tips for lane splitters new to Auckland are:
1) it isn't really legal when the traffic is still moving so your best defence mechanisms are to keep an indicator on (means they can't book you for no indicating when overtaking) and leave the lights on full beam when splitting
2) spot the cops before they spot you! On the Mway network they always hide in the same spots so just find out where they might be and have a quick glance before proceeding to go!
3) Plainclothes cops (normally detectives but sometimes Hwy Patrol) are around and may bother you if lane splitting (or at least phone one of their mates ahead). They'll be in Ford Falcons or Holden Commodores and will never have a tow bar (95% of civvy falcons and commodores here do) but will often have a big rear aerial, white LPG sticker on the bumper and of course the plain disco lights inside the rear window
4) Don't be tempted by the emergency lanes though because they're filled with tyre puncturing bits of debris and mean you can land a $600 fine. Some are also marked as bus lanes on the Mway but you still can't use them legally (but go for it on surface streets)

So providing you don't get done for careless driving, the max fine you'd get is $150! Which frankly, despite all the arguements about legality, is a fee I'd be quite happy to pay every few years or so for the enjoyment I get from passing so many lemmings everyday!

(I should add I've only got done once for splitting in my 1st year of riding due to a very silly assumption about a cop being too busy issuing a ticket to get me.. so I reckon the above rules aren't too bad when I've riding the mwy pretty much every working day since 2000)

ENJOY! :niceone:

[Coldkiwi]

Actually it is legal n Calfornia up to 15mph. Wich is just right for seeing a car door open and beng able to stop in time.

here's an interesting thought though... surely when a bike is splitting between moving cars, the risk of doors opening as the bike goes past must tend towards zero?? is it therefore not a bit safer to let bikes split between moving cars!? :yes: (supports my philosophy!)

[Waylander]

here's an interesting thought though... surely when a bike is splitting between moving cars, the risk of doors opening as the bike goes past must tend towards zero?? is it therefore not a bit safer to let bikes split between moving cars!? :yes: (supports my philosophy!)

You have to understand Callifornia traffic though. When LA gets locked down it pretty much is standstill even on the freeway. And when LA gets locked down pretty much most of southern Cali is the same. But no one gets out of thier cars there cause they are for the most part to self involved. Talkng on thier phones, reading thier papers drinking thier coffee and so on.


And Keeper yea t would be legal f you could actually manage to keep a bike powerd by a helicopter jet engine below 15mph.

[The Tazman]

I filter on principle. I don't ride a bike to stay in queues, if cagers don't like it (most are OK) they can buy a bike too. Besides, being first at the lights gives me a good safety cushion when they change.

well said I feel the same way. I have seen over here quite a few sitting in traffic. Not from the guys I have met on here though :D

Taz

[pommie girl]

(I should add I've only got done once for splitting in my 1st year of riding due to a very silly assumption about a cop being too busy issuing a ticket to get me.. so I reckon the above rules aren't too bad when I've riding the mwy pretty much every working day since 2000)

ENJOY! :niceone:

Man, I've been lucky then because about twice a week I pass a police car either while I'm lane splitting or while I'm on that small strip on the right of the fast lane on the northern.... The other day I passed about three on my usual jaunt into work :whistle:

[Zed]

Man, I've been lucky then because about twice a week I pass a police car either while I'm lane splitting or while I'm on that small strip on the right of the fast lane on the northern.... The other day I passed about three on my usual jaunt into work :whistle:I'll pass a cop while lanesplitting if he's in a cage and if the traffic is stopped or quite slow. If he's a bike cop you can forget it! And if the traffic's flowing at over say 40kmph then I'll happily go wth the flow - until there are no cops in sight. :msn-wink:

Oftentimes I don't see police in motorway traffic until just as I'm passing them...I think "ooops, wonder if he'll sound his siren?". Not a good feeling. :sweatdrop

[Zed]

...the risk of doors opening as the bike goes past must tend towards zero??... :yes: (supports my philosophy!)Yeah I lightly chuckled inwardly when people started discussing the *imminent danger* of car doors opening suddenly when lanesplitting. Never witnessed it myself? :spudwhat:

[Will]

Well, I have read all the previous talk and no one has picked up on the obvious. :wait:

There is a major safety issue when you leave the lights first. And it is not car doors.

Just beware of all the red light runners.

Don't want anyone to get hurt.

Safe riding :ride:

Oh and by the way, I lane split and light split.

[Zed]

Well, I have read all the previous talk and no one has picked up on the obvious. :wait:

There is a major safety issue when you leave the lights first. And it is not car doors.

Just beware of all the red light runners.Good point and thanks for your concern! :niceone: I'd say that an experienced rider should have the common sense to check both ways for red light runners, etc, when taking off at the lights. But in saying that, often our concentration is fixed on the vehicles we are 'between' at the lights and what they are going to do?

[Waylander]

Also should be warned about Taxis. Filterd up to the lights next to one and the guy started yelling at me and shit. I ignored him and he tried reaching out his window to grab at me. Looked at him and he flipped me off then tried to run me off the road when the lights turned.

[Zed]

Also should be warned about Taxis. Filterd up to the lights next to one and the guy started yelling at me and shit. I ignored him and he tried reaching out his window to grab at me. Looked at him and he flipped me off then tried to run me off the road when the lights turned.That Taxi experience would be one the exceptions to the general rule...not very common. Like the guy that pushed his pitbull out his drivers side window to nearly tear my head off one day as I filtered past him, and the few 'kind-hearted' folk who have swerved over so I cannot split past them, oh and then there's the *shouters* who will wait till you are passing their open window and scream at you to try and scare you!! :mega:

[surfchick]

i just started filtering on my last few rides. i passed about 60 cars in a que this morning was in between them all and then felt all self conscious about my L-plate. pulled meself back into me lane and was well behaved. i'm sure the car drivers were a sittin there waiting for me to clap into someone's mirror and i decided i wouldn't be giving them the pleasure... :devil2: i think if the traffic is stopped- what real harm is it to drive in gaps??
won't be doing it on the M-way though. It's too mad-house.

[Waylander]

That Taxi experience would be one the exceptions to the general rule...not very common. Like the guy that pushed his pitbull out his drivers side window to nearly tear my head off one day as I filtered past him, and the few 'kind-hearted' folk who have swerved over so I cannot split past them, oh and then there's the *shouters* who will wait till you are passing their open window and scream at you to try and scare you!! :mega:
Was thinking at the time that maybe a NY cabbie had followed me down here lol.

[Ixion]

Also should be warned about Taxis. Filterd up to the lights next to one and the guy started yelling at me and shit. I ignored him and he tried reaching out his window to grab at me. Looked at him and he flipped me off then tried to run me off the road when the lights turned.

Meh . I hates taxi drivers. hatesesss them. Especially Indian ones. They all seem to be totally shitty bolshie drivers, with a huge chip on tehir shoulders.
:mad: :mad:

[Waylander]

Meh . I hates taxi drivers. hatesesss them. Especially Indian ones. They all seem to be totally shitty bolshie drivers, with a huge chip on tehir shoulders.
:mad: :mad:

Maybe it's a job requirement for cabbies to have a bad additude.:killingme Nah most are ok here other than thier crap driving.

[pommie girl]

then there's the *shouters* who will wait till you are passing their open window and scream at you to try and scare you!! :mega:

I've had that - wondered what on earth was going on and figured at the time that I'd just passed someone having a screaming argument... :whistle:

[Sutage]

I always laugh when i see a sign saying.. RED LIGHT CAMERA UP AHEAD.. surely the best way to catch them is to not tell em:p

i guess it does stop them tho.. hmm

[Zed]

I've had that - wondered what on earth was going on and figured at the time that I'd just passed someone having a screaming argument... :whistle:Nah, they see you coming in their rear vision mirror, wind down the drivers side window, take a huge breath, and let you have it when you go past...jerks! "Off with their heads I say!" :msn-wink:

[Waylander]

Nah, they see you coming in their rear vision mirror, wind down the drivers side window, take a huge breath, and let you have it when you go past...jerks! "Off with their heads I say!" :msn-wink:

That's when you have something you can throw at them as you go by. They open thier mouths to shout and get a mouthfull of something nasty and smelly.:msn-wink: Old fish works but if you have a cat...

[Lou Girardin]

Well, I have read all the previous talk and no one has picked up on the obvious. :wait:

There is a major safety issue when you leave the lights first. And it is not car doors.

Just beware of all the red light runners.

Don't want anyone to get hurt.

Safe riding :ride:

Oh and by the way, I lane split and light split.

Opening your eyes and looking will negate this danger.

[Lou Girardin]

Also should be warned about Taxis. Filterd up to the lights next to one and the guy started yelling at me and shit. I ignored him and he tried reaching out his window to grab at me. Looked at him and he flipped me off then tried to run me off the road when the lights turned.

One of the benefits of a flip front helmet is that you can open it and lob a greenie in their window.

[Coldkiwi]

I'd say that an experienced rider should have the common sense to check both ways for red light runners, etc, when taking off at the lights. But in saying that, often our concentration is fixed on the vehicles we are 'between' at the lights and what they are going to do?

well, unless its a VERY tricked out rocket sled it should pretty much be relatively motionless by the time you start moving:)

(unless a stall occurs... which is just plain and simple ' i want to curl up and die' territory)