Passing in residential zones - thoughts?

[Milts]

Having just recently moved to Karori, I'm still getting used to traffic going to and from. On my commute thismorning I was happily sitting in a line of traffic doing maybe 40kph, when somebody on a CBR600 cruised past. He then continued to pass the line of vehicles either on the median flush strip or within their own lane (never crossed the centre line).

This was right in the middle of the Karori shopping area, and he continued to do so right through Marsden Village. He never strayed into the oncoming lane, and I'm sure he didn't mean to be obnoxious - however the bike was pretty loud and I'm not sure how happy some of the other drivers would have been. Especially considering the surprise it must have been given they don't use their mirrors...

Apart from the fact that further on he must have been doing 70 or 80 down the Karori Hill, and maybe 60 odd at most through the shopping area, I'm not sure he was breaking any laws. However I still found it a bit odd and was quite happy to sit in the traffic and catch up at the lights rather than pass every vehicle in sight....

Is this pretty standard, or a bit marginal? Do people tend to pass lines of traffic in residential or shopping zones when on a bike rather than sit in the traffic?

[bastardsquad]

If the traffic is bunched and slow(and if i'm late for work lol), i'll do likewise until I can find a free flowing spot where traffic speeds are higher. Generally, if the traffic is at or slightly above the limit and flowing, i'll sit tight. When moving past traffic like this, I'll be cautious and trying to stay within the magic '10% above the limit' rather than fanging it, you never know when someone will indicate AND move right at the same time as cars are often inclined to do...

[White trash]

Common practice. I suggest you not attempt a trip up the Hutt Road from Ngauranga to Petone between 5 and 5.30 if what you saw today pissed you off.

[ExpertoCrede]

The median flush isn't meant to be a passing lane - Rider could be pinged if caught. But passing on the right within the same lane could be legal - often discussed as part of lane splitting/ filtering.

[Milts]

To clarify, I wasn't offended by this but I wonder how many car drivers were just considering the fact that it's in a built up area (this was done near schools, houses, supermarkets etc). I generally filter if traffic is slow and there is more than one lane, and drivers don't seem to take offence to that (very often, anyway). Maybe I ride my bike too much like I drive a car.

[Devil]

The median flush isn't meant to be a passing lane - Rider could be pinged if caught. But passing on the right within the same lane could be legal - often discussed as part of lane splitting/ filtering.

To be a little more specific. You are not allowed to us a flush median for overtaking. Only for turning, or merging into the traffic flow.

Passing on the right within the same lane (assuming indicating, safe etc) is legal.

[Deano]

The median flush isn't meant to be a passing lane - Rider could be pinged if caught. But passing on the right within the same lane could be legal - often discussed as part of lane splitting/ filtering.

Any yellow line there indicating no crossing ? If not it would be legit wouldn't it ?

[Neon]

:facepalm:
To be a little more specific. You are not allowed to us a flush median for overtaking.

Yep, it's a $150 instant fine for passing on a flush median. DAMHIK :facepalm:

I see the same thing every day without fail on Hobsonville road. A line of traffic doing basically the speed limit and some fucktard(s) on a bike cruising straight down the flush median passing everyone like they have some special right.

[Neon]

I should qualify that by saying when I got nicked I was passing a line of stopped cars slowly and ducking in and out - but then spent a bit long on the median and a nice police man took exception. I have learned the error of my ways and will never break the law again until next time.

[Genie]

Watch this crazy bastard and you'll see how tame your biker was....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzcCq6FIXSU

[SMOKEU]

I don't usually overtake in a 50 zone unless I'm riding with someone who is, or if the cager in front is going ridiculously slow, or if I'm being tail gated.

[Devil]

A line of traffic doing basically the speed limit and some fucktard(s) on a bike cruising straight down the flush median passing everyone like they have some special right.

If only people would keep left then it'd be easier.
Once that new motorway bit it sorted it'll be much better.

[wysper]

I don't usually overtake in a 50 zone unless I'm riding with someone who is, or if the cager in front is going ridiculously slow, or if I'm being tail gated.

or if it is a day ending in y :yes::Pokey:

[Spuds1234]

I don't usually overtake in a 50 zone unless I'm riding with someone who is

While your probably passing in a safe manner, dont let other people dictate you ride. Its an easy recipe to disaster.

[Trudes]

Locksmith guy?
Yep, I said it :facepalm:

[SMOKEU]

While your probably passing in a safe manner, dont let other people dictate you ride. Its an easy recipe to disaster.

There is always going to be some asshole who gets their knickers in a twist when they see bikes overtaking around town so they call *555. I don't really want to get rolled with the rego on hold.

[st00ji]

yep i've been cautioned about using the median lane improperly... median lane leads into lightly used right turn only lane, so i used to ride up the median then filter to the front of the straight ahead traffic.

from what you describe he could be fined for his behaviour. the cop who told me off mentioned briefly that other motorists get upset by this behaviour - "im waiting patiently, obeying rules etc - what makes YOU special?" and it made me think - i certainly feel some resentment towards other drivers who take liberties with bus / median lanes etc when im in a car... bikes doing it doesnt bother me, but i can imagine it bothering non-riders - hence i limit my filtering / splitting to less grey areas. the less people being pissed off by people on motorbikes the better i reckon.

[Swoop]

If only people would keep left then it'd be easier.
As if that will ever happen.
95% of kiwi drivers cannot use the left lane on a multi lane road, so what chance is there of simply "keeping left" elsewhere?

[Banditbandit]

Every thing is OK ... until you get caught ... or drop it ...

[Milts]

Every thing is OK ... until you get caught ... or drop it ...

True, I guess the fact remains that unless there happens to be a hidden cop or someone is angry enough to *555 you then it's not like there will be any direct repercussions. I admit to regularly passing individual vehicles in 50k zones in the suburbs/windy wellington roads when they're cruising along at 25 the whole way, but jumping a line of traffic in a busy area seems a bit different. However, next time I'm late for work I may have to give it a go...

[SMOKEU]

but jumping a line of traffic in a busy area seems a bit different. However, next time I'm late for work I may have to give it a go...

It's their own stupid fault for being in a cage during rush hour traffic.

[Str8 Jacket]

was the CBR black and did this 'he' have dreadlocks?

[Milts]

No, was an older model (I'm guessing pre-2000 having done some googling).

[BMWST?]

yep i've been cautioned about using the median lane improperly... median lane leads into lightly used right turn only lane, so i used to ride up the median then filter to the front of the straight ahead traffic.

from what you describe he could be fined for his behaviour. the cop who told me off mentioned briefly that other motorists get upset by this behaviour - "im waiting patiently, obeying rules etc - what makes YOU special?" and it made me think - i certainly feel some resentment towards other drivers who take liberties with bus / median lanes etc when im in a car... bikes doing it doesnt bother me, but i can imagine it bothering non-riders - hence i limit my filtering / splitting to less grey areas. the less people being pissed off by people on motorbikes the better i reckon.

that is actually the proper use of a painted median

[BMWST?]

if you a re filtering etc in karori be bloody careful for cars coming in from the right etc or crossing a lane of traffic cos some one has stopped to let them through.All sorts of unpredicatable and possibly illegall( ie not giving way) stuff will happen because the traffic is so slow.

[Max Preload]

however the bike was pretty loud and I'm not sure how happy some of the other drivers would have been. Especially considering the surprise it must have been given they don't use their mirrors...That's their fucking problem. I've never been surprised by a filtering bike when driving the cage in traffic because I look.

[Muppet]

Watch this crazy bastard and you'll see how tame your biker was....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzcCq6FIXSU

Jesus Christ!!!!!:shit:

[rwh]

I usually only pass on Karori Rd when the traffic's stopped for a red light - mostly at the mall - and only if I'm fairly confident I can get to the front before it goes green.

As BMWST? says, there are too many intersections - and too many traffic islands :-(

On the other hand, once I'm actually out and passing, it feels much easier to just keep going :-)

I don't think I've ever passed on the wrong side of a traffic island though, which I've seen some do.

Richard

[motor_mayhem]

I have used the median strip to get around cars while moving straight ahead, but ONLY in the case where they are indicating left to turn soon but clinging to the RHS of the lane like their life depends on it.

When I first started riding on the road I used to use median strips but stopped when I had a bad fright with a jaywalker walking through the lanes of traffic. Pretty sure the shock took years off my life at the expense of a lesson well learned

[Max Preload]

I have used the median strip to get around cars while moving straight ahead, but ONLY in the case where they are indicating left to turn soon but clinging to the RHS of the lane like their life depends on it.Why didn't you just say "I do it all the time, without fail"?

[Kickaha]

however the bike was pretty loud and I'm not sure how happy some of the other drivers would have been. Especially considering the surprise it must have been given they don't use their mirrors...

How could they miss it even if they don't use their mirrors

Loud pipes save lives:tugger:

[davebullet]

If I'm going down Newlands Road, I'll overtake past the BP if the traffic is stopped. You can see a good stretch of road at a time and it does mean crossing the centre line. you have to go slower though (ie. 20 - 30kph).

I wouldn't do that through Karori village. You are just asking for a ped to walk through the stuck / slow traffic and whamo!

[Banditbandit]

Jesus Christ!!!!!:shit:

Naaa .. he wasn't that good ..

[motor_mayhem]

Why didn't you just say "I do it all the time, without fail"?

Because cars are not turning left all the time :blink: