New (good) filtering law in Queensland. Time to push for similar here?

[Tazz]

http://tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Queensland-road-rules/Motorcycle-road-rules.aspx

With the changes recently accepted in Queensland, would it not be a good time to fill the appropriate ministers inbox/letterbox with letters pointing this out and maybe some of the benefits?

Bunch of emails to the right person might slowly get some cogs turning or in the very least get it on their mind.

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/simon-bridges
s.bridges@ministers.govt.nz

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/craig-foss
c.foss@ministers.govt.nz

http://campaign.labour.org.nz/phil_twyford
phil.twyford@parliament.govt.nz

Maybe a free beer to anyone who can get that Welly biker cop to sign a petition? :lol:

[Ulsterkiwi]

all pretty clear isnt it? I really cant see why we cannot have the same clarity here. It would be interesting to see if motorcycling organisations could endorse this kind of change to the rules and perhaps even get the police on board. That would bring more weight to bear on the politicians.

[catharsis]

I emailed a bunch of MP's and ministers about this today.
So far only one meaningful response but I had a brief email exchange and even a phone call from Phil Twyford.
He was very supportive and came up with a few suggestions on how to get the snow ball rolling downhill on this thing.
So I'll start an online petition as a starting point.
He also said he would be open to any invitations to motorcycle community meetings or events and would like to support this thing.

Better than nothing at all right?

[Scuba_Steve]

Nup I think we're doing alright here without it; Someone just needs to take a baseball bat to the wanker in the gorge & all will be fine ;)

[Ulsterkiwi]

Nup I think we're doing alright here without it; Someone just needs to take a baseball bat to the wanker in the gorge & all will be fine ;)

I understand your reluctance for change if it makes things "worse" and while I have yet to personally come across the Gentleman in the Gorge (or is that Gentlec**t in the Gorge?); I am thinking a baseball bat management strategy, while not without some appeal, might in the long term not work out so well.
I am reminded of the story below......

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have.

Catharsis mate well done, do you mind sharing what you put in the emails that got the Hon Twyford on the blower to you?

[Rhys]

Seems to be a common sense law, I think most car and truck drivers would understand it as well :shutup:

[catharsis]

My email was very simple.

---- begin quoted text ----
Hi,

Please take a look at the below Australian govt. link regarding lane filtering laws being passed in Australia.
http://tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Queensland-road-rules/Motorcycle-road-rules.aspx

The law here in NZ is vague and unclear regarding an every day practice.
This kind of clarity puts rules around it and will make sure that motorcyclists are lane filtering safely. This should mean that more people are encouraged to use motorcycles and reduce congestion etc. A far cheaper method than expanding roadways.

Please give this some time and try to do the right thing for us.

Thanks very much,

---- end quoted text ----

See below link for an online petition.
The Hon. Phil Twyford has said to me that this may well be something he will get behind (sponsor and lobby for) so if WE can get enough signatures on this thing then he will take me to a select committee.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/introduce-safe-lane-filtering-for-motorcyclists.html

SHARE IT. Take it to your local bike shop and ask them to put it on the counter. Share on Facefriends and myface or twater or whatever. Just make as much noise as you can. The Queensland one had 9,000 responses. Lets get 10k+ eh?

[Icemaestro]

Done :-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Welly-Ray]

I've checked with NZTA on their position re legality issue of lane-splitting. Their response was positive. I also asked them when we will see the term "lane-splitting" to be included in the Rode Code, like it's mentioned in Competency-based training and assessment guide. Haven't heard back on the 2nd one but will report when I do.

[Big Dog]

Done, promoted and shared on face book.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Madness]

Nup I think we're doing alright here without it; Someone just needs to take a baseball bat to the wanker in the gorge & all will be fine ;)

I bet he's rubbing his hands together at the thought of kiwi bikers pushing for a law change that could easily make all splitting and filtering over 30km/hr illegal, irrespective of anything else including lane position or level of safety. And cunts think this is a good idea? :facepalm:

[catharsis]

When I've been pulled over for it I've been told (multiple times) that "The guideline is 40km/ph max".
I can't find any reference for that whatsoever but 2 motorbike cops and a couple of car bound cops have said the same thing.
Now, if there was a specific law in place that says that filtering is OK and everybody knows that by riding between lanes you're doing nothing wrong at all. And also, there's a specific limit in place and they are forced to prove how fast you were going at the time of issuing the infringement, how may times do you think the cops are going to bother to pull you over thinking they can ticket you? I'm quite sure it would be reduced from what it is currently mate.

[Welly-Ray]

Update from NZTA was received this afternoon:


I have made enquiries regarding your question concerning motorcycle lane splitting and filtering and can advise that its currently under review and is expected to be included in next year’s publication (of Rode Code for Motorcyclists).

Not sure what the wording will be in the Rode Code but pretty good start for us in terms of message clarity.

[Ulsterkiwi]

Update from NZTA was received this afternoon:


I have made enquiries regarding your question concerning motorcycle lane splitting and filtering and can advise that its currently under review and is expected to be included in next year’s publication (of Rode Code for Motorcyclists).

Not sure what the wording will be in the Rode Code but pretty good start for us in terms of message clarity.

thats positive in so far as NZTA is aware clarification is needed. I wonder who they are consulting with about this? Any motorcycle groups? BRONZ, Ulysses etc

[Tazz]

Lane splitting is currently illegal. Filtering laws won't make it any less so. There are plenty of other threads about it


Update from NZTA was received this afternoon:


I have made enquiries regarding your question concerning motorcycle lane splitting and filtering and can advise that its currently under review and is expected to be included in next year’s publication (of Rode Code for Motorcyclists).

Not sure what the wording will be in the Rode Code but pretty good start for us in terms of message clarity.

Interesting. My reply the other day said they were not thinking about it at all, but would note the comments :lol:

[Big Dog]

I take the attitude it is my life and I am responsible for my safety. Whatever the rules say.
Been filtering for 12-14 years.
Been tagged by cars in some way 20+ times (had mirrors clipped, tyres tapped, knees nudged etc) when properly in a lane holding my place in line.
0 contacts when filtering according to the guidelines one published by the California cops.

Far better to have a lower speed limit and some clarity in my opinion. At least from there you can argue the California recommendations of no more than 15mph faster than traffic or 30 mph whichever is lower. Before such arguments can be heard we need a bill before parliament.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Akzle]

fuck. i just had to post in this thread so i can say i was here for the circle-jerk.

[FJRider]

fuck. i just had to post in this thread so i can say i was here for the circle-jerk.

I'm just here for the free Beer ... :whistle:

[Akzle]

I'm just here for the free Beer ... :whistle:

fuvk, missed the que for that!

[Tazz]

fuck. i just had to post in this thread so i can say i was here for the circle-jerk.

Yuss! About time. Your hands are soft and supple, just like grandmas ;)

[ellipsis]

...the working model should be based loosely around this attitude...


<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YQL9t9gPQfU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[MSTRS]

Seems California was the same as NZ...splitting is neither legal nor illegal, with cops ticketing or not at whim.
They have now made it LEGAL within set guidelines
Some facts from actual study of the practice here (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2/19393/Motorcycle-Article/AMA-Touts-California-Lane-Splitting-Studies.aspx)

[BlackSheepLogic]

After reading this for some reason I'm not looking forward to this revision.


Update from NZTA was received this afternoon:


I have made enquiries regarding your question concerning motorcycle lane splitting and filtering and can advise that its currently under review and is expected to be included in next year’s publication (of Rode Code for Motorcyclists).

Not sure what the wording will be in the Rode Code but pretty good start for us in terms of message clarity.

[p.dath]

Lane splitting is currently illegal. Filtering laws won't make it any less so. There are plenty of other threads about it
...


Nope, it can be done legally, its just a bit restrictive.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Lane_Splitting

[Icemaestro]

How often do you find there is room on the rhs of the lane to actually pass staying in their lane? I personally find it very rare...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Reckless]

Seems California was the same as NZ...splitting is neither legal nor illegal, with cops ticketing or not at whim.
They have now made it LEGAL within set guidelines
Some facts from actual study of the practice here (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2/19393/Motorcycle-Article/AMA-Touts-California-Lane-Splitting-Studies.aspx)

This would make the limit 30k for car speed and 40K max for bike speed which is a little more practicle in my view :)

"We compared the proportion of collision-involved, lane-splitting motorcyclists with injury across several body regions by whether the lane-splitting was done only in traffic flowing at 30 mph or less and that the motorcycle speed should exceed the traffic speed by no more than 10 mph," the crash study stated. "We found that the proportion with each injury type was high when the lane-splitting was consistent with neither speed component, was lower when it was consistent with one speed component, and was lower still when it was consistent with both speed components."

[Tazz]

Nope, it can be done legally, its just a bit restrictive.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Lane_Splitting

Sure, but that's not lane splitting and it is black and white legal, on the right ;)

[Ender EnZed]

This would make the limit 30k for car speed and 40K max for bike speed which is a little more practicle in my view :)


That's in mph. So, 48km/h traffic at 64km/h max for bikes.

This would be much more realistic than a 30km/h limit, which was obviously not set by anyone who actually lanesplits in motorway commuter traffic.

[Reckless]

That's in mph. So, 48km/h traffic at 64km/h max for bikes.

This would be much more realistic than a 30km/h limit, which was obviously not set by anyone who actually lanesplits in motorway commuter traffic.

Heck good spotting now someone needs to change the petition!!!!!

[R650R]

...the working model should be based loosely around this attitude...


e>

He's only alive at the end due to the well disciplined safer driving standards they have in UK. Even there he's still an accident waiting to happen. Only one drivers door away from rolling into oncoming lane. Around the outside of truck on long left hand bend near end very unwise too.

Back to the thread... I favour the status quo. As soon as you have an official standard or guide there will be a 100% way to get fined and also found wrong in a crash.
And any resulting publicity to make public aware if changes will result in jealous cagers frothing at the mouth waiting to *555 any infractions.

[R650R]

Catharsis mate well done, do you mind sharing what you put in the emails that got the Hon Twyford on the blower to you?

If you write a proper letter with contact details about a genuine issue you'll be surprised, at the very least you'll get a reply from their official secretary.
And he's done the best thing too, ALWAYS whether its a council/govt/workplace issue/complaint offer a solution as part of the letter, takes things to another level even if your offered solution is not viable.

[Big Dog]

...the working model should be based loosely around this attitude...


Don't get me wrong: I split, I don't always sit strictly within existing laws or even the ones proposed by this petition but fuck me there were a few of those moves I found my self leaning away from danger.:baby:

That is exactly the type of lane splitting that gets the masses thinking it would be good traffic management tactic to let 4x4's push us over.
(I have actually had people posit just that while in my company before people know I ride)

[Berries]

If you write a proper letter with contact details about a genuine issue you'll be surprised, at the very least you'll get a reply from their official secretary.
To be fair it might be signed by the official secretary, or even the minister, but it is more than likely going to be written by some pleb at one of the agencies/ministries. I know, I was one of those plebs once and drafted quite a few ministerial responses. "Thank you for your interest in road safety" is such a good sign off line. Both appreciative and condescending in the same sentence.

[R650R]

To be fair it might be signed by the official secretary, or even the minister, but it is more than likely going to be written by some pleb at one of the agencies/ministries. I know, I was one of those plebs once and drafted quite a few ministerial responses. "Thank you for your interest in road safety" is such a good sign off line. Both appreciative and condescending in the same sentence.

To be expected, but at least something is in the system and has remote possibility of being actioned...