Overtaking through heavy traffic

[Oggywh3]

Hi Guys - my first posting. I got a ticket from a police officer for "overtaking on the left": yes I was moving down the centre lane very sedately behind another biker in almost stationary traffic on SH2 in Lower Hutt - I ride a Guzzi California so I don't push it - too heavy, too wide, I'm too old! A cop in a car in the left lane put out his arm and we stopped behind him, but overtook when we could - I shook my head at him in passing, for being an officious jumped up little prat, so I got booked. OK, strictly he was right but I have heard or read that Police policy is to tolerate this as it smooths traffic flow etc etc. I intend taking this to court - I was booked because I shook my head, not for the offence - but I need some reference to this stetement of police policy. Can anyone help? Thanks.....

[russd7]

were you in the same lane as the cop or the other lane, i would say the cop was just shitty cause he was stuck an you werent, not all cops are assholes.

[unstuck]

You stopped, next time make him follow you home. Then invite him in for a nice cuppa and a yarn, they love that.:2thumbsup

[st00ji]

good on you for testing it in court, lane splitting really needs some legal clarification imo

good luck! let us know the outcome

[R650R]

The only real reference to this in NZ law is that you are allowed to overtake another vehicle on the right in the same lane if you don't cross the centre line (ie there is oncoming traffic or the line is a yellow one and the other vehicle has pulled left and made space for you, like a farmers tractor might do etc).
If you are lane splitting and you end up on the left side of the right lane of two then yes you are technically overtaking on the left.
I don't think any defence of these fixed penalty type tickets ever results in success unless you have some dramatic groundbreaking new evidence to present.
I know of a guy here done in similar circumstances, he pulled out early in traffic along painted centre median to get to right turn bay, cop called it overtaking on median...
Used to lane split a lot but now mindfull of sad people with cellphones and ones like what you met...

[BMWST?]

its a technicality,if you are lane splitting you have to be in the rhs of the traffic but still in that lane,not the lhs of the traffic in the same lane.You can be in the lhs of the lane and overtake only if the traffic is stopped.

[mossy1200]

Two day earlier a Hornet rider got injured cutting traffic coming into Wellington. Ambo etc.
They probably have been asked to clamp down on it as a result.
Simple. If your sharing a lane with another vehicle and pass it on its left hand side then you are in the wrong, assuming that vehicle is moving. Its called passing on the left.

[Berries]

I shook my head at him in passing, for being an officious jumped up little prat, so I got booked. OK, strictly he was right but I have heard or read that Police policy is to tolerate this as it smooths traffic flow etc etc. I intend taking this to court - I was booked because I shook my head, not for the offence - but I need some reference to this stetement of police policy. Can anyone help? Thanks.....
I wouldn't waste your time and money on the court case. Your attitude got you the ticket, telling the judge he is an officious jumped up little prat might get you a bit more.

[swbarnett]

good on you for testing it in court, lane splitting really needs some legal clarification imo
Be careful what you wish for. The current situation is working. We are largely ignored unless you're a prat and fail the attitude test. A legal clarification of lane-splitting may well lead to a new law that prohibits it completely.

[Road kill]

Be careful what you wish for. The current situation is working. We are largely ignored unless you're a prat and fail the attitude test. A legal clarification of lane-splitting may well lead to a new law that prohibits it completely.

I look forward to the day it's clarified one way or the other.

A shit load of riders around AK use what they see as a grey area to act like total arseholes toward other road users.

The jerk off shaking his head as he rides away after being a cock himself is a classic example.

[Ender EnZed]

good on you for testing it in court, lane splitting really needs some legal clarification imo


At the moment it's not clearly illegal. Clarification is not going to benefit motorcyclists.

[mossy1200]

At the moment it's not clearly illegal. Clarification is not going to benefit motorcyclists.

Passing on the left

You can only pass on the left when:
•there are two or more lanes on your side of the centre line and you are able to pass safely by using the left-hand lane
•you are directed to by a police officer
•the vehicle you are passing: ◦has stopped, or
◦is signalling a right turn, or
◦is turning right.


At all other times, when you are passing, you must pass on the right.

Thats the road code. It seems to be clear.
Probably the same cop had to go to the Hornet crash 2 days prior.

[Ender EnZed]

Passing on the left

You can only pass on the left when:
•there are two or more lanes on your side of the centre line and you are able to pass safely by using the left-hand lane
•you are directed to by a police officer
•the vehicle you are passing: ◦has stopped, or
◦is signalling a right turn, or
◦is turning right.


At all other times, when you are passing, you must pass on the right.

Thats the road code. It seems to be clear.
Probably the same cop had to go to the Hornet crash 2 days prior.

Passing on the left within the same lane is illegal, passing on the right within the same lane is legal. Riding between two lines of traffic can arguably, hypothetically be done exclusively within the left lane to the right of other vehicles in that lane and therefore be legal.

Practically of course, this isn't the case. You ride between the two lines of traffic without hitting anything and the white paint is just somewhere you don't want your tyres to be if you have to brake. If it were a wall and you had to ride entirely within the left lane then opportunities for lane splitting would be extremely limited, but definitely not zero.

[swbarnett]

I look forward to the day it's clarified one way or the other.

A shit load of riders around AK use what they see as a grey area to act like total arseholes toward other road users.

The jerk off shaking his head as he rides away after being a cock himself is a classic example.
I agree that there are those that can't do it sensibly (as will always be the case with any potentially dangerous activity). A legal clarification won't change this.

The law as it stands means that 99% of all lane-splitting is illegal. It is however perfectly safe if done with care. A legal clarification will only shine a light on this and result in that safe 99% being targeted.

[breakaway]

A cop in a car in the left lane put out his arm and we stopped behind him, but overtook when we could [...] I was booked because I shook my head, not for the offence.

So not only did you get a warning and potentially got away with it, you decided to fuck with him and failed the attitude test?

I'd say you got what was coming to you.

Try to keep cool and check your ego next time.

[Hoon]

Yep next time take the attitude that lane splitting is illegal and the cops are doing you a favour by turning a blind eye. Forget all that "as long as you stay on the left of the white line" bullshit. Everyone that lanesplits knows that it's near impossible to keep that up the entire time.

Once you start thinking that lane splitting is your given right and take offence at anyone that thinks otherwise, then you are just asking for it.

[Erelyes]

The cop gave ya a warning, I'll bet he wasn't stickin his arm out for funsies. You ignored the warning. What'd you expect?

[mossy1200]

Passing on the left within the same lane is illegal, passing on the right within the same lane is legal. Riding between two lines of traffic can arguably, hypothetically be done exclusively within the left lane to the right of other vehicles in that lane and therefore be legal.

Practically of course, this isn't the case. You ride between the two lines of traffic without hitting anything and the white paint is just somewhere you don't want your tyres to be if you have to brake. If it were a wall and you had to ride entirely within the left lane then opportunities for lane splitting would be extremely limited, but definitely not zero.

Is on the line in or out?

[swbarnett]

Is on the line in or out?
I have it on the authority of a cop that told a freind (i.e. sounds right but don't take it as gospel) that the entire vehicle has to be to the left of the line, including any extremities e.g. handlebars.

[Ender EnZed]

I have it on the authority of a cop that told a freind (i.e. sounds right but don't take it as gospel) that the entire vehicle has to be to the left of the line, including any extremities e.g. handlebars.

That's the only answer that would make sense. If it were a two way road then having two bikes travelling in opposite directions on the centre line wouldn't end well.

[Berries]

At the bottom of my paper licence it said tear along the dotted line. Have they changed that Rule as well now?

[Bonzo]

I don't understand why this is such a big issue in this country. In place's where there over 70million people living there it's the reason people riding motorcycle to commute to work to save the hour plus journey. It's also far better for congestion! It seems to be a similar issue with parking facing the wrong way in the road. If you can do it safely in a place like London where there's a hell of alot more people why's it dangerous here!? If you tried to park the same direction there it would take you a long time and be very frustrating! ('there's across the road i'll just turn round. Oh no it's gone!')

It's pretty uncomfortable sitting on an air-cooled bike with a finned cylinder head on a roasting hot day in stationary traffic! I say just over take cruise on by with a smile on your face because those guys are just jealous they aren't on a bike! :cool:

[Oggywh3]

So not only did you get a warning and potentially got away with it, you decided to fuck with him and failed the attitude test?

I'd say you got what was coming to you.

Try to keep cool and check your ego next time.

Possibly fair enough - he was the same guy though who opened his door on me to stop me when he was stopped at lights, to make me join the 4 or 5 others behind him. What I was doing then was perfectly legal as all traffic was stopped - at least that is my reading of the rules. So he doesn't like bikes overtaking even when it is legal.

Actually I don't recall if I was in the left or right lane when he stopped us. I don't hoon - I have a self-imposed rule that I will only go 50 kph max down that middle lane, and I have to let lots of others through. Which is perhaps why I feel so miffed.

I am seeking someone who can quote some police statement that their official line is to tolerate safe lane splitting on the grounds that it smooths traffic flow. I've heard some senior cop say it publically (on National Radio) but can't remember when. I certainly think that travelling behind slow and stopping traffic is more dangerous for the bike than lane splitting.

And then there are the bicycles in city traffic who constantly overtake on the left. No enforcement there. So my gripe is that I was picked out not because of how I was acting illegally, but because I let my displeasure show. And I did not illegally overtake and zoom off - I and the other rider legally changed lanes and went ahead. So I don't think I was being a "cock" as someone else has said, but a frustrated well behaved biker doing what police say they think is OK. He didn't pull over the other guy, so it was not about the offence. I was ticketed for something else - which is unspecified -and that may be my defence, as it amounts to arbitrary targeting.

[st00ji]

i dont think 'he didnt like my attitude, its not fair' should be your defence.

swbarnett, i do agree that legal clarification might put an end to the blind eyes, i guess im just hopeful that common sense can still prevail sometimes.

as it stands you can typically get away with it (i've certainly never had even a second glance in 4 or 5 years of lanesplitting most days) but things like, for example, that thread which popped up on TM forums a while back about how lanesplitting bikers are all homicidal nut cases, or that kid in his mx5 mouthing off about taking out a bike for a free panel repair... if the powers that be said 'its legal under these circumstances' that would clarify it for everyone, and would ultimately be better for bikers in general i think, and the biker / driver relationship. it might even get a few more people out of their cars, and that has to be a good thing.

maybe im being too optimistic.

if they decided it shouldnt be allowed, and started enforcing it as such, i'd probably sell my bike TBH - or at least stop registering / riding it to work.

[caspernz]

Two day earlier a Hornet rider got injured cutting traffic coming into Wellington. Ambo etc.
They probably have been asked to clamp down on it as a result.
Simple. If your sharing a lane with another vehicle and pass it on its left hand side then you are in the wrong, assuming that vehicle is moving. Its called passing on the left.

Yeah it'd be as simple as the boys in blue being asked to pay some attention to lane splitting after the accident. This regardless of whether it's being done in the technically correct manner or not.

[Voltaire]

I lane split every day, but only in stopped or barely moving traffic. I find a lot of cars move over too:niceone:. I take the view its not legal but tolerated. If I ever get pinged I'll just accept it. I take the car some days and just sit in the flow listening to the B, on the bike I can't bring myself to do that.
I work in an office, riding the bike is the high point of my day :rolleyes:
Maybe they should have more of those lanes where you need more than one person in a box taking up space, I like them.

[Oggywh3]

Yeah it'd be as simple as the boys in blue being asked to pay some attention to lane splitting after the accident. This regardless of whether it's being done in the technically correct manner or not.

My ticket was three weeks before the accident, so that was not a factor. I think I know the bike that got hit - one of the idiots who weaves and speeds. I agree, tough, but it serves him right. But that is not what I was doing.

OK - so attitude (i.e. no deference to an officious official) was the problem - but there is still the police tolerance policy - what is it? Can anyone produce a reference to it? I have tracked down a report which refers to the Auckland policy and I have asked for more information - I'll let you know if that yields fruit.

[swbarnett]

i do agree that legal clarification might put an end to the blind eyes, i guess im just hopeful that common sense can still prevail sometimes.

Unfortunately, the law is already pretty clear. It will take a law change to make what is done safely on a daily basis legal. A clarification (even with common sense present) will only highlight this and mean that the police will have to save face and start targeting lane-splitters.

[superjackal]

good on you for testing it in court, lane splitting really needs some legal clarification imo

Yeah, that'd end well. All they'd do is ban it, as there's risk involved.

[Zedder]

Yeah, that'd end well. All they'd do is ban it, as there's risk involved.

Nah, don't worry MOTO NZ will surely have it on their agenda to sort out for us.

[MD]

So not only did you get a warning and potentially got away with it, you decided to fuck with him and failed the attitude test?

I'd say you got what was coming to you.

Try to keep cool and check your ego next time.

Second that.
Seems like he tried to be nice and wanted you to slip in behind him. Maybe he could see a hazard ahead and thought he would do you a favour and you made him look silly by ignoring him. Don't mess it up for all of us that lane split. Take it on the chin. I've been lane splitting it in Wgtn since 86 and have only been ticketed once (late 80s), and that was for using the motorway shoulder.

If I see a cop car ahead I tend to quietly slip back into the faster moving lane until I get a few cars ahead of the cop, then split a car or two at a time only, so not to draw too much attention. Make it more like a drawn out lane change!

[Hoon]

I am seeking someone who can quote some police statement that their official line is to tolerate safe lane splitting on the grounds that it smooths traffic flow.

There is no such statement. Even if there were the law still trumps it. Lane splitting will never be legal nor will it ever be endorsed due to accountability reasons.

Like I said before, lane-splitting isn't a right, it's a privilege. Don't fuck it up for the rest of us.

[Dangsta]

My ticket was three weeks before the accident, so that was not a factor. I think I know the bike that got hit - one of the idiots who weaves and speeds. I agree, tough, but it serves him right. But that is not what I was doing.

OK - so attitude (i.e. no deference to an officious official) was the problem - but there is still the police tolerance policy - what is it? Can anyone produce a reference to it? I have tracked down a report which refers to the Auckland policy and I have asked for more information - I'll let you know if that yields fruit.

Shit.....a biker gets hit and badly injured and you say its what he deserved because he's an idiot. You admit to lane splitting, ignoring the cop that gave you a "friendly" wave down and then shaking your head at him as you split lanes and undertake him. Then, rather than take the hit like a good Kiwi, you decide to fight the ticket. Then...rather than do the research yourself, you ask the KB forum to do the work for you. Mate, not only are you also an idiot...you're on the verge of going "full retard". Just sayin... :facepalm:

[Oggywh3]

Shit.....a biker gets hit and badly injured and you say its what he deserved because he's an idiot. You admit to lane splitting, ignoring the cop that gave you a "friendly" wave down and then shaking your head at him as you split lanes and undertake him. Then, rather than take the hit like a good Kiwi, you decide to fight the ticket. Then...rather than do the research yourself, you ask the KB forum to do the work for you. Mate, not only are you also an idiot...you're on the verge of going "full retard". Just sayin... :facepalm:

OK - some facts so you can get off your high horse - one: there are idiots out there who lane split and give us all a bad name. Real idiots. Accidents waiting to happen. I am not one of them. If it was the guy I'm thinking of, it was only a matter of time. Two: it was not a friendly wave, it was a peremptory signal that could be seen as "I'm turning right" i.e. arm straight out, so get in behind. Three: there was no situation ahead. Four: I legally overtook him, on the right, signalling appropriately. Five: yes, I shook my head at him as he seems unaware of police policy. Six: he has done it before but more arrogantly, opening his door when stopped to stop bikers legally moving down the centre in stopped traffic. Seven: I have been doing the research and have found a statement - I just have to find out who in the police made it and when. Any help with this, from anyone, would be appreciated. Then I can share it with all of you guys. Dangsta - just don't bother reading it, and please, this is a forum for discussion. Name calling might satisfy your urges but it isn't very constructive.

[Swoop]

I don't understand why this is such a big issue in this country. In place's where there over 70million people living there it's the reason people riding motorcycle to commute to work to save the hour plus journey. It's also far better for congestion!

It's pretty uncomfortable sitting on an air-cooled bike with a finned cylinder head on a roasting hot day in stationary traffic!
That is why we live in a 3rd world Banana Republic. Intelligent decision making is non-existant.

[Daffyd]

That is why we live in a 3rd world Banana Republic. Intelligent decision making is non-existant.

Third world? I've been living in the Philippines now for 18 months, and lane splitting is an art form. Pass on the left, (remember we drive on the right hand side of the road here), pass on the right, cross the centre line even if there's someone coming the other way. (It's ok, he'll move over for me). Pass on the footpath/sidewalk, if there is one, otherwise the verge will do. Trouble is there are deep holes here. Now I find myself doing the same thing, but a few days ago when I was doing this I met another rider COMING TOWARDS ME! NO safety gear, except a few helmets, (compulsory, but not everyone uses them). Strangely enough, the only accidents reported on TV are fatal and ALL the riders involved were wearing helmets.

[NC]

You stopped, next time make him follow you home. Then invite him in for a nice cuppa and a yarn, they love that.:2thumbsup

Or a handshandy. They like those better

[cheshirecat]

When i was DRing in London it was expected bikes lane split, taking up car spaces were hated. One guy i knew was told off by the police for not lane splitting. Incidentally I did police motorcycle course there way back in my youth and crossing the yellow line meant not letting the center line of your tyre's touch the yellow bit. Millimeter precision at speed with a cop on your taillight to make sure. The best and only motorcycle course I've ever done. Two motorcycle cops, front and rear - 5 riders and fast 70 mph country lanes.

[Dangsta]

OK - some facts so you can get off your high horse - one: there are idiots out there who lane split and give us all a bad name. Real idiots. Accidents waiting to happen. I am not one of them. If it was the guy I'm thinking of, it was only a matter of time. Two: it was not a friendly wave, it was a peremptory signal that could be seen as "I'm turning right" i.e. arm straight out, so get in behind. Three: there was no situation ahead. Four: I legally overtook him, on the right, signalling appropriately. Five: yes, I shook my head at him as he seems unaware of police policy. Six: he has done it before but more arrogantly, opening his door when stopped to stop bikers legally moving down the centre in stopped traffic. Seven: I have been doing the research and have found a statement - I just have to find out who in the police made it and when. Any help with this, from anyone, would be appreciated. Then I can share it with all of you guys. Dangsta - just don't bother reading it, and please, this is a forum for discussion. Name calling might satisfy your urges but it isn't very constructive.

Well you were on the verge...congrats, you made it..:niceone:

[Bonzo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSRY7RxMF1g

[swbarnett]

OK - some facts so you can get off your high horse - one: there are idiots out there who lane split and give us all a bad name. Real idiots. Accidents waiting to happen.
In other words - "Anyone slower than you is a wimp and anyone faster than you is an idiot".

Be careful who you label an idiot. You don't know these riders and you sure as hell don't know their riding ability and level of awareness in traffic. A lot of car drivers think we're idiots just for riding a motorcycle at any speed. Please don't give them ammo by making this more public than it needs to be. FFS, you broke the law and got done for it. No police "policy" takes precedence over the law. If you have to take this cop to task, go after him for his dangerous manoeuvre in stopped traffic when you're actually riding legally.

[Bonzo]

Here's another good discussion regarding lane splitting.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNGD9AAIfFU

[Clockwork]

OK - some facts so you can get off your high horse -....: it was not a friendly wave, it was a peremptory signal that could be seen as "I'm turning right" i.e. arm straight out.......: I legally overtook him, on the right,.....

Ahhh there's your problem, you see because he'd signaled a right turn you were allowed to (and should have) passed him on the left. :(

[Bald Eagle]

Nah, don't worry MOTO NZ will surely have it on their agenda to sort out for us.

That be $30 well spent then rotflmao

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

[russd7]

Third world? I've been living in the Philippines now for 18 months,

so ya three month holiday worked out then :banana:
was wondering why i hadn't seen ya round the rally scene

[rastuscat]

OK, strictly he was right but I have heard or read that Police policy is to tolerate this as it smooths traffic flow etc etc. I intend taking this to court ..

You're wasting your time going to court if he was right.

Where is the policy you refer to? I've only been in the job 25 years, haven't heard that one.

[Vinz0r]

Split through a long line of traffic the other day to get to the front at a red light, as I get to the front I look to my right and there are two cops in an undercover car staring at me. They didn't seem to mind too much. Cheeky bugger gunned it and overtook me as we were pulling off too!

[Berries]

Get a proper bike you homo.

Beaten at the lights by a car indeed.

[caspernz]

Get a proper bike you homo.

Beaten at the lights by a car indeed.

Haha, I was thinking more along the lines of riding lessons...:laugh:

[Vinz0r]

Get a proper bike you homo.

Beaten at the lights by a car indeed.


Haha, I was thinking more along the lines of riding lessons...:laugh:

Hah, well when you're doing questionably legal things in front of a cop already it's really best not to give them any other reason to pull you over.

[R650R]

Lucky to walk away...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLzIu6dhDPc

[mossy1200]

Get a proper bike you homo.

Beaten at the lights by a car indeed.

I got held up by a slow accelerating car with flashing lights on Saturday.

[rastuscat]

Lucky to walk away...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLzIu6dhDPc

I bet this guy sorted out the wreckage, headed home, logged onto KB and started posting about how experienced and safe he is, and how it was the fault of the truck driver, the car driver and the government.

Sheesh.

[mulletman]

Dont lane split much down here but when i do its when traffics stopped and ill only do bout 10kph, people dont expect you to be there, in the bus lanes maybe 20-30kph , if the traffics rolling at about 30kph ill just use the normal lane and not bother with bus lanes.

[Zedder]

I bet this guy sorted out the wreckage, headed home, logged onto KB and started posting about how experienced and safe he is, and how it was the fault of the truck driver, the car driver and the government.

Sheesh.

It's good there is video evidence then rtc.

Would the Russian version of KB have been the KGB?

[baffa]

I hate people who get annoyed by people splitting to the front of cue, and raping their cars away from the lights to try to prove a point.

I split everywhere and anywhere, ran into a cop who knows the girlfriend who was telling me off about it, apparently I was always whizzing past him on the motorway when he was in his private car, told me in not too many words to knock it off, still havent learnt.

[craigdek]

In South Africa it's legal to lane split since 1993. Problem is ignorance to the law of both cagers and traffic cops. Prosecution through it out of court as a waste of time. Legally as long as a car is on your left you ok. Here it is a grey area it seems. Best done when lanes are stationary. My personal opinion your cops are polite. If you don't give attitude it's easily settled. From a law makers point of view I think it should be legal. If all the motorbikes took same approach as a car traffic would get worse and everyone will suffer longer travelling.

Sent from my ZTE R22 using Tapatalk

[craigdek]

Sorry typo throw out of court.

Sent from my ZTE R22 using Tapatalk

[R650R]

I bet this guy sorted out the wreckage, headed home, logged onto KB and started posting about how experienced and safe he is, and how it was the fault of the truck driver, the car driver and the government.

Sheesh.

LOL yes probably. Meanwhile the police media release would cite speed as a factor...
But if you look at what happened the main problem is he looks to have panicked or been a bit rough with braking as there was no need to have screwed up that move. I think MSAC should fund slipper clutches to avoid this type of crash :)
But you see a lot of that on the road be it trucks, cars or bikes its often the over reaction that causes the loss of control...

[Theantidote]

just a quickee on this...
on most mornings i cage it with my awesome wife...we travel bout 30 mins on a shit day...south auckland from drury to manix...all those on 2 wheels please b fucking careful as it is really hard to see u even when looking out for u...so many times i've tripled checked but found the sweep of the road obstructing the visibility and some body on 2 wheels whizzes past...
i'm all for lane splitting but b aware i can't always see u (and i'm looking coz i'm nosey)...the chick in the other cage texting her scrubber bff doesn't care so good luck to you...and becoz i hate blood i'll have to keep driving......

[SPman]

this method always worked for me.......

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nJy10pBhJCw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="853"></iframe>

[cheshirecat]

big difference there is other vehicles expect bikes to filter plus driving standards are a trifle higher

[Mike.Gayner]

That guy has balls of steel.

[Berries]

just a quickee on this...
on most mornings i cage it with my awesome wife...we travel bout 30 mins on a shit day...south auckland from drury to manix...all those on 2 wheels please b fucking careful as it is really hard to see u even when looking out for u...so many times i've tripled checked but found the sweep of the road obstructing the visibility and some body on 2 wheels whizzes past...
i'm all for lane splitting but b aware i can't always see u (and i'm looking coz i'm nosey)...the chick in the other cage texting her scrubber bff doesn't care so good luck to you...and becoz i hate blood i'll have to keep driving......
Had my first experience of Auckland motorways a few weeks back and was surprised not to see more bikes get bowled. Are the lanes narrower here than in Europe or something? Not sure what it was but it all looked a lot more iffy to the UK splitting I am familiar with. Perhaps it was because I was on four wheels rather than two and used to the slower pace of life over here?


this method always worked for me.......

You can't blame them when they cannot see you.
Therein lies a nugget of great wisdom that would make KB a boring place if everyone thought the same thing.

[SPman]

That guy has balls of steel. Not really - it soon becomes second nature and it's amazing how you can slide through gaps that don't appear doable. I try the same here in Perth, but an XJR is a bit wider and the traffic here is even more retarded the Auckland.
He does stress, however, not to go to much faster than the traffic because they often just won't see or expect you......it's all a balancing act and some can do it better than others - I guess you just develop a second or third sense and, as he says "i couldn't split like this if I didn't know where I was going and know the roads.

[bsasuper]

You are only as safe as the worst driver in that lane of traffic, its a free country lane split if you want, but don't start crying if you get knocked off or get a ticket for overtaking on the left, or get done for dangerous riding

[caspernz]

Not really - it soon becomes second nature and it's amazing how you can slide through gaps that don't appear doable. I try the same here in Perth, but an XJR is a bit wider and the traffic here is even more retarded the Auckland.
He does stress, however, not to go to much faster than the traffic because they often just won't see or expect you......it's all a balancing act and some can do it better than others - I guess you just develop a second or third sense and, as he says "i couldn't split like this if I didn't know where I was going and know the roads.

Yep, and sometimes it's as simple as applying the old rule of "riding your own ride" as some of the problems occur when an inexperienced or less confident lane splitter tries to follow a couple of diehard proponents.

Take it easy and keep the speed differential sensible, all sweet. Just leaves you to watch out for cagers who seem intent on shrinking the gap...and I see that almost everyday as I truck around in heavy traffic :wacko:

[swbarnett]

You are only as safe as the worst driver in that lane of traffic, its a free country lane split if you want, but don't start crying if you get knocked off or get a ticket for overtaking on the left, or get done for dangerous riding
You make it sound like lane-splitting is a loterry. Anything but. Like anything, keep your wits about you, know your limits and don't assume anything about the traffic around you and it can be as safe as any other type of ridinng.

[roogazza]

OK - some facts so you can get off your high horse - one: there are idiots out there who lane split and give us all a bad name. Real idiots. Accidents waiting to happen. I am not one of them. If it was the guy I'm thinking of, it was only a matter of time. Two: it was not a friendly wave, it was a peremptory signal that could be seen as "I'm turning right" i.e. arm straight out, so get in behind. Three: there was no situation ahead. Four: I legally overtook him, on the right, signalling appropriately. Five: yes, I shook my head at him as he seems unaware of police policy. Six: he has done it before but more arrogantly, opening his door when stopped to stop bikers legally moving down the centre in stopped traffic. Seven: I have been doing the research and have found a statement - I just have to find out who in the police made it and when. Any help with this, from anyone, would be appreciated. Then I can share it with all of you guys. Dangsta - just don't bother reading it, and please, this is a forum for discussion. Name calling might satisfy your urges but it isn't very constructive.
I haven't read the whole thread but it sounds like you might have pissed the guy off?
When a Policeman signals you to do something you do it, that's fairly simple isn't it ? Shake your head ,piss him off, argue and you are likely to bring out 'Mr Hyde'.
No skin off his nose which response you get, you choose. I learnt that at a young age.