Why do you wait behind traffic? [Archive]

Aucker

5th November 2005, 00:20

White trash

5th November 2005, 00:25

Ummmm safety?

This is the forum where you get slammed for even thinking about popping down the dairy without a full one piece, back protector and fluro vest.

You're a brave man voicing THAT oppinion Aucker.

sAsLEX

5th November 2005, 00:34

prob wouldn't of been me you saw! but if someone is just learning to ride or not yet confident on their ride it pays to play it safe!

Zed

5th November 2005, 01:13

Isn't that supposed to be one of the advantages of riding a motorbike?Sure is, but each to his/her own I guess, they're the ones missing out on the advantages! Personally if I waited in long lines of traffic and didn't overtake or go between the lanes I might as well be driving a cage and enjoying the air-conditioning and stereo sounds. :ride:

SPman

5th November 2005, 01:36

Sometimes - you just can't be arsed goin to the front! :drinkup:

Gremlin

5th November 2005, 01:38

Depends for me... sometimes I'm in no hurry and if the queue is short, then I won't bother. Also, if I am at the front I tend to take off about as quick as I can (check first for red light runners tho), but if the bike is still warming up, I won't go to the front, as I don't want the cagers trying to hit me... (the bike is noticeably slower when cold - could be less revs I guess)

Otherwise, especially commuting, you won't catch me anywhere but the front... nothing better than slowing to a stop, then the light goes green... :love: :devil2: :chase:

Leong

5th November 2005, 05:31

I must be one of those you see waiting. It's a newbie/confidence thing for me ... and for some reason I care what people think of me, even tho no one would recognise me in all the riding gear anyways. I wouldn't want to get to the front then miss a gear or do something equally silly when I take off. I was tempted to follow a guy on a Ninja thru traffic yesterday tho but wondered where I would stop at the head of the queue, ie directly behind him, in a tight space between two cars? :slap:

Magua

5th November 2005, 05:43

I'm overly cautious when splitting, I don't do it with moving traffic fullstop. And not allways at lights. Lack of practice.

Devil

5th November 2005, 05:49

Sometimes - you just can't be arsed goin to the front! :drinkup:
Ditto.
I'm not in a hurry all the time.

pritch

5th November 2005, 05:51

I've seen alot of bikers lately waiting behind long queues of traffic

If I can get right to the head of the queue while the traffic is stopped I will move to the front. If the way is blocked, or if the traffic is likely to start before I get to the front I will just sit in the queue.

This is just my reaction to past experience, I've had psycho drivers or passengers open doors to stop me filtering, Ive actually had arseholes try to run me off the road more than once. I can be a cantankerous ol' prick too, so rather than feature in some headline making roadrage incident I just take my place in the queue...

Drum

5th November 2005, 06:00

......or is it because you don't know the road rules that state you can pass them if they are stationery or moving very slowly?............
...

Are you sure? A few riders on here have talked about tickets for this very thing.

Personally, I only lane split if the queue is real long. A lot of the time, Im just not in a hurry.

miSTa

5th November 2005, 06:13

Sometimes can't be arsed, depends on the amount of traffic, the width of the road, it's not logical to say that lane splitting should occur all the time at every interection.

Badcat

5th November 2005, 06:18

sometimes i'm just not in so much of a hurry.
fickle, that's me.

watch out.

Sniper

5th November 2005, 06:30

I want to die in a bed when Im 1654 years old. Not run off the road by some sadistic cage driver who gets jelous because you got in front of them.

heavenly.talker

5th November 2005, 06:33

I sometimes wait in traffic...can't really explain except to say that my inner radar goes off as I am surveying the traffic and the intersection. When I get a funny feeling I stay tucked in *shrugs*
Other times don't get a chance to move up as the traffic is already on its way.

Badcat

5th November 2005, 06:36

FROSTY

5th November 2005, 06:44

um er well yasee um er :whistle: :whistle:

SARGE

5th November 2005, 06:47

um er well yasee um er :whistle: :whistle:

Frosty.. i consider myself quite an " assertive" lane splitter...

no way in hell im gonna try to follow you through traffic :shit:

Rashika

5th November 2005, 06:48

sometimes I will, sometimes i wont.... I'm in no hurry to die either.
Must admit it is easier on the Buell than the virago, I guess I feel narrower on the buell ...weird :weird:

HDTboy

5th November 2005, 06:55

People wait in the que?

Dafe

5th November 2005, 07:09

I don't need to lanesplit everywhere, just like I don't need to do 120-130 everywhere. Motorcycling doesn't have to be full-on everywhere you go.
Motorcycling can be leisurely and relaxed!

Thumper

5th November 2005, 07:20

I ride a cruiser because its about the ride, not the destination. The longer I'm on the road, the better. (actually the Vl1500 is so bloody wide that I sometimes battle when I have the whole lane to myself :laugh: )

heavenly.talker

5th November 2005, 07:25

Frosty.. i consider myself quite an " assertive" lane splitter...

no way in hell im gonna try to follow you through traffic :shit:

I would say assertive is a word that applies to most areas of your life Sarge :spudwave:

Zed

5th November 2005, 07:45

Are you sure? A few riders on here have talked about tickets for this very thing.Check this post (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=380270&postcount=11) out that was written by one of our resident KB coppers. He only speaks for the Northshore but it likely applies in most cities if you are being careful and not riding like a lunatic! :)

inlinefour

5th November 2005, 08:00

some people have been taken out by idiot cagers in the past and dont want to take the risk?

Motu

5th November 2005, 08:14

I don't commute by bike these days,and seldom ride in the city.If it's easy to get to the front and I can see an advantage I will,but I'm equaly happy to sit in a queue

MacD

5th November 2005, 08:53

If I can get right to the head of the queue while the traffic is stopped I will move to the front. If the way is blocked, or if the traffic is likely to start before I get to the front I will just sit in the queue.

This is just my reaction to past experience, I've had psycho drivers or passengers open doors to stop me filtering, Ive actually had arseholes try to run me off the road more than once. I can be a cantankerous ol' prick too, so rather than feature in some headline making roadrage incident I just take my place in the queue...

Yep, this is pretty much my attitude to it too. Also it doesn't always pay to be out in the front on some roads, heading down Symonds St in Akl for instance. I'm quite happy to use a car as a mobile protection device down there!

metric

5th November 2005, 09:00

yep only been riding about a month now... first couple of weeks no way, but as I'm slowly getting used to the bike and it's dimensions I find myself getting to the front of the traffic all the time... but if it ain't safe, it ain't safe...

Beemer

5th November 2005, 09:04

There are lots of reasons why I don't always pull out and overtake at the earliest opportunity. Sometimes it's because I know I will be turning off soon so can't be arsed wasting the effort, other times it's because the traffic is flowing at a reasonable speed and I'm not in a hurry so again can't be bothered. There have also been instances where I am on my way back from a short ride and saw a cop parked on the side of the road at a certain spot and don't want to risk the chance he's still there on the way back. Or I could have spotted a mufti car in the line of traffic I am sitting behind.

If the traffic is at a complete standstill, I am more likely to filter past it. I'm not THAT confident to do it on a motorway where people are likely to be changing lanes left right and centre. The Beemer has wide bars and the Goose isn't actually as narrow as you'd expect, so where there is a chance I may not be able to safely pass, I won't try it.

On the way to Wellington there are long stretches with double yellow lines and unless a motorist sees you and pulls over to allow you to pass without crossing the centre line, I won't pass. It's not worth getting a ticket just to be one or two seconds ahead in an 80kph zone.

Pixie

5th November 2005, 09:15

it's not logical to say that lane splitting should occur all the time at every interection.
Splitting will only occur if the interection is too thick :killingme

jrandom

5th November 2005, 09:24

This thread is bollocks. If theres traffic on the motorway, causing me to slow to anything slower than 3rd gear, I'll split everything. If I wanted to sit there in traffic I would do it in a car cause it has a stereo.

Im with the bus driver on this one. nothing worse than crawling along in full protective gear on a hot day sniffing exhaust.

Im not with frosty tho, coz hes just mental and contributes substantially to the bad reputation of west aucklnad bikers on his way to work every morning.

mangell6

5th November 2005, 09:24

Sometimes I stay inline to admire the view (KILLER HIGHWAY), often I stay there as the gap between the single yellow line on my side is to small and there is no gap on the inside. Yellow lines are a no goer for me, forms bad habits.

SuperDave

5th November 2005, 09:26

To be really honest I find there to be NOT enough space on the right hand side to split in virtually all situations, be it a queue at traffic lights or on the motorway. I do however split on the left hand side of traffic when there are two or more lanes in one direction.

Those driving cars insist on hugging the right side of their lane or the centre line making splitting within the same lane on the RHS impossible.

notme

5th November 2005, 09:41

I'm starting to favour the right side for splitting now....lots of crap gets swept to the left of the road by cars (glass from fender-benders, nails, other misc stuff that tyres don't like)

And to reiterate what most have said, if the lights aren't just about to change, it's safe, and there are no psycho-types obviously present, then i'll split. If i get a feeling in my little toe that i don't wanna this time, i'll go with that feeling.

Being on a bike isn't about lanesplitting and parking and fuel costs and all the other advantages to me, it's about KNOWING that you have those advantages, should you choose to use them! :niceone:

Lou Girardin

5th November 2005, 10:00

I consider it my God given right as a biker to be first.
Besides, it's safer to get away quickly and build a safety cushion between you and the cage behind.

zadok

5th November 2005, 10:13

Sometimes can't be arsed, depends on the amount of traffic, the width of the road, it's not logical to say that lane splitting should occur all the time at every interection.
Right on. There are several things to take into consideration.

crashe

5th November 2005, 10:36

it is easier on the Buell than the virago,

Tis easy as on a Virago.... I get throu most gaps...

I do go up to the front... on most occassions...
But if I'm in no real hurry and having a laid back sorta day... then I sit in the lane behind the cars... and tap my fingers to a song on the tank...

Rashika

5th November 2005, 10:46

Tis easy as on a Virago.... I get throu most gaps...

I do go up to the front... on most occassions...
But if I'm in no real hurry and having a laid back sorta day... then I sit in the lane behind the cars... and tap my fingers to a song on the tank...
yeah 'cept mine was a bit bigger/wider than yours :msn-wink:
its funny really, I just find it easier on the Buell (might be the super quick takeoff/lighter weight/narrower bike), but I dont tend to do it much ...same as a few folks have said on here, it just aint worth the potential agro/danger

sunhuntin

5th November 2005, 11:21

the lanes here aint wide enough to allow for it mostly, plus i was usually scared witless pup would throw a tizzy and stall on me.

honestly, i hate being head of the que at lights, round abouts etc. if pup got annoyed and stalled or threw up the front wheel, then that means im holding up cars who are likely to get really pissed and i dont really want to be run over by numberous cars! lol.

once the new bike gets in, ill likely start using that a bit more where i can, but only after ive gotten used to her.

Drum

5th November 2005, 11:23

Destination is also a factor for me. I'm not gonna go hard out so I can get to work a couple of minutes earlier. Rather be sitting on my bike.

texmo

5th November 2005, 11:51

Being a courier I never lane split or jump in front of people while waiting at the lights that would be unsafe and just plan rude....

pritch

5th November 2005, 12:49

Your kidding right? Its not a couple of minutes.. more like half an hour or more at a minimum.

You seem to be referring to the Auckland motorways. Thankfully, I very rarely ride there. (I'm assuming that sitting parked with both feet on the ground watching the temperature needle rise can actually be described as "riding"...)

On the Southern motorway I was passed by guys filtering, one sprotbike rider looked back apparently thinking he may have hit a car and in so doing nearly clouted another.

If I was to join that rat race regularly I might perhaps get more assertive but considering that I had only a rather imprecise idea of where I was and how to get where I was going it was probably better to play safe and stay in the queue.

Bonez

5th November 2005, 13:40

Your kidding right? Its not a couple of minutes.. more like half an hour or more at a minimum. Sit on my bike while it overheats in traffic?? I dont think so.
Get to work a bit earlier and kick back with a coffee and paper:headbang: Thought you are ment to WORK at work.
You see some of us start work and leave at a time when there's fuck all traffic
so no need to lane split at all, at all. Tis all about choice. Just because you choose to do it all the time doesn't mean others should.

Two Smoker

5th November 2005, 14:38

The reason i now stay in ques of traffic will be explained after my court hearing this monday....

Swoop

5th November 2005, 15:44

I've seen alot of bikers lately waiting behind long queues of traffic when theres ample space for them to pass safely on the rh side to get to the front. Isn't that supposed to be one of the advantages of riding a motorbike? Is it fear of getting hit or is it because you don't know the road rules that state you can pass them if they are stationery or moving very slowly?

I can't understand why they do it, can someone enlighten me pls? tks. :confused:

Sometimes the wisdom is in being able to switch the brain form "interceptor" to "cruise" mode, and just relax.

Other times it is simply a pleasure to be able to sit next to some emptyhead wearing a back-to-front-peaked cap, and who has a baked bean can welded onto his exhaust, and is now enjoying the sound of a v-twin through his open window INSTEAD of some bass drumming hip-op shite... :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

InDeSkyz

5th November 2005, 16:31

If I'm feeling lazy, then I'll just wait at lights.
I mostly split on the motorway, because.. well.. GRRRR I don't understand why we can't share the bus lane. Don't we pay enough rates compared to the Shore or something?
Anyway, it is disapointing most people have forgotten the "keep left" rule as there is plenty of room to safely overtake within the same lane - this isn't London.
I don't seem to have any newbie 'dread' holding me back, only a mortal fear of someone bigger than me getting jealous.

SARGE

5th November 2005, 16:53

I would say assertive is a word that applies to most areas of your life Sarge :spudwave:

pretty much... no sense in living the life of a doormat

im like a wobbly bridge.. i can take a bit of walking on, but one of these days, i'll fall onya at the least opportune time :))

SARGE

5th November 2005, 16:58

Im not with frosty tho, coz hes just mental and contributes substantially to the bad reputation of west aucklnad bikers on his way to work every morning.

worst part about it is that he rides a FREAKIN FJ!!!

people ask if that was me doing Warp 9... hehehe

( i only do warp 7..)

Karma

5th November 2005, 18:08

I've seen alot of bikers lately waiting behind long queues of traffic when theres ample space for them to pass safely on the rh side to get to the front. Isn't that supposed to be one of the advantages of riding a motorbike? Is it fear of getting hit or is it because you don't know the road rules that state you can pass them if they are stationery or moving very slowly?

I can't understand why they do it, can someone enlighten me pls? tks. :confused:

If I'm on the commute or riding at my own speed then I'll usually filter, but if I'm in convoy with my old dear in her cage and she's leading somewhere and I don't know directions then I'll wait behind her in a queue, also if there's some prick cager driver giving her hassle then I'll wait in the queue and give him some mean intimidation.

As said before, sometimes you just can't be arsed either, I finish work at 11:30pm in the CBD and around that time, especially on Friday night there are loads of boy racers around... could easily filter and burn them off the lights, but can't be arsed when they start throwing cans outta the window :dodge:

The Stranger

5th November 2005, 18:17

That may be me you see waiting too.

I only bother to split if I am in a hurry.

I had a conversation the other day with a cage driver and he informed me that bikers are antagonistic. I asked him why bikers are antagonistic. He advised because it is a rare instance when you see a biker waiting in line at the lights, they all sneak up to the front. I advised him that that is not antagonistic and simply sour grapes, and informed him that it is legal and that if he didn't like it he should complain to his MP and get the law changed.

As well as this I really don't like cars sharing my lane with me, so I generally avoid doing the opposite.

I look at it as keeping the peace with other road users.

Aucker

5th November 2005, 18:23

Geez thanks for the reply everyone, now i understand!

I still wont be waiting behind if i can help it, as i'm an impatient b*strd. :brick:

Lou Girardin

7th November 2005, 13:31

Lane splitting on Ultra Classic (full dress tourer) is fun. Cagers see this bloated monster heading up behind and can't get out of the way fast enough.

mstriumph

7th November 2005, 13:43

there's only one traffic light within an hour's ride of me ......... and its usually a pretty green colour anyway :hbd:

heavenly.talker

7th November 2005, 14:17

there's only one traffic light within an hour's ride of me ......... and its usually a pretty green colour anyway :hbd:

Me thinks you have just identified the advantage of being in Perth :-)

You go girl...way to have a positive attitude :hbd:

SDU

7th November 2005, 15:17

If I can get right to the head of the queue while the traffic is stopped I will move to the front. If the way is blocked, or if the traffic is likely to start before I get to the front I will just sit in the queue.
...

Same reason as above- If I can be bothered & the lights have just gone red I'll split but there are a lot off idiots in Chch that have to race for every little inch they can get especially at intersections and merging lanes. Its our stupid roads designed to make you slow or stop just about every 5/10 seconds.
SDU

Monsterbishi

7th November 2005, 15:35

I filter most of the time, in all the years I've been riding I've only encountered maybe 2 or 3 retards who try to block you, makes room at the back for more cars too :>

kerryg

7th November 2005, 16:03

I filter most of the time, in all the years I've been riding I've only encountered maybe 2 or 3 retards who try to block you, makes room at the back for more cars too :>

I blame the poms. Stand still long enough in pommieland and people form an orderly queue behind you. It's something your average kiwi does too. How do you react when someone pushes in front of you when you're queuing at the movies or the coffee shop or the supermarket?...Do you get pissed off, maybe even say something like "hey...there's queue here, there are people ahead of you...". Right? Bikers queue jump. People get pissed off.

At the risk of further confirming my status as a pussy I reckon bikers shouldn't act like they own the road or act like the road rules that apply to cars don't apply to them. It's not a matter of NOT getting to the head of the queue, or NOT lane-splitting, but doing it sensibly.

ScumKiller2

7th November 2005, 16:32

I had a conversation the other day with a cage driver and he informed me that bikers are antagonistic. I asked him why bikers are antagonistic. He advised because it is a rare instance when you see a biker waiting in line at the lights, they all sneak up to the front.

Yep, car drivers do get pissed when they see a bike go to the front of the queue. If I split I always take off quick because I have had too many idiots tailgate me or try to drag me off etc. I don't know what it is, maybe they think you have stolen a bit of get-there-quicker juice from the ether and it's going to take them longer to get to the supermarket which is 2 minutes walking distance from their house <sigh>.

Only one solution, pool ball in a sock. Or armoured gloves. Wait, wrong thread...... :Pokey:

NhuanH

7th November 2005, 19:35

WHY Q ...?

madboy

7th November 2005, 21:31

Yeah, I'm with HDT et al. Queue? What queue?

Although you do have to make sure you get the hell outta Dodge with the appropriate haste. Sunday I roll up to a set of traffic lights, numberplate covered in tape (it was my 6yo playing with duct tape officer, honest) after riding very obnoxiously down the centre line at 1XXk past miles of cars on my way back from much twistier obnoxiousness. Sit just behind another bike, and some american V8 thing with a blower coming out of where the bonnet used to be.

As I sit there, watching the lights turning green, bike nails it, V8 nails it...

I stall it... :doh:

skelstar

7th November 2005, 21:41

Im fairly new to this riding game. It took me about 5000kms before I filtered, and then rarely (commute to work against Welly-Petone traffic) did it.

I lane-split'd for the first time the other night (9000 kms) when I had to ride with the traffic for a change. Nervous at first but then latched on to some others (Mikey actually) and was sweet...stopped filtering at 80km/h.

Ive got to say that I get a kick out of filtering and 'single-lane-splitting'. Probably wrong and a little 'freudian' but I think its great.

redbaron36

7th November 2005, 21:55

Lead the way i say, even started lane splitting on the north western while traffic is moving, think it is a personal confidence/risk taking thing sure have to have your wits about you and a good handle on the gas.
Even better is when cage drivers see you and move over. they normally get a hang loose for their efforts :2thumbsup

Drunken Monkey

7th November 2005, 22:03

WHY Q ...?

Please join the end of the Far Q.

:P

NhuanH

7th November 2005, 22:17

Please join the end of the Far Q.

:P
why don't U GO find a 69er?

SARGE

7th November 2005, 22:18

John

7th November 2005, 22:20

jump behind me anyime man.. im between Lincoln and the City about 830 am every day.. cant miss the beast.. pic in my profile NAH I"VE ALREDY HAD U YOUR SMALL I NEED A REAL AMERICA, WAYLANDERR/

avgas

7th November 2005, 22:21

Cos the other option is titanium......

Ninja51

8th November 2005, 09:04

Interestingly, I was pulled by a mufty on SH2 the other week for something that has nothing to do with lane splitting, more to do with speed in excess of 60mph...sorry officer, my bike's speed isn't calibrated in kph! Oops! Anyway, I digress... Whilst he was writing out the ticket and admiring the bike, I quizzed him with regard to lane splitting as I too was uncertain about the legalities. He said that he lets it go if it is done sensibly and safely at slow speed through stationary traffic. Turns out he was a biker too which accounts for his views. He understands why we ride bikes and the advantages thereof. Nevertheless he admitted that another officer may think very differently, so it's your call guys and gals. Must admit that I commute pretty much on a daily basis now between Upper Hutt and Wellington and Im buggered if I'm going to sit at the back of a queue. It's too easy though to get a bit over confident when lane splitting and before now I have found my speed creeping up and then I suddenly think of the consequences of cagers deciding they'd prefer life in another lane! - Which they do with regularity as we all know. I tend to look ahead for clues as to what might make people change lanes...slow truck, on ramp with vehicles converging etc etc. I can understand those who choose to sit on their bikes and wait especially if they are newbies, but me? Slowly with caution has seen me OK so far...hmmm, methinks I have just tempted fate!

The Pastor

8th November 2005, 12:07

I'm overly cautious when splitting, I don't do it with moving traffic fullstop. And not allways at lights. Lack of practice.

You sure are,

I dont see what so scary... First time I took a road bike through town, I lanesplitted every chance I had. Sure those nuts cage drivers who love to run the red light give you bit of fright... but you have brakes right.

mstriumph

10th November 2005, 18:56

Me thinks you have just identified the advantage of being in Perth :-)

You go girl...way to have a positive attitude :hbd:

:yes: just one of the many advantages ....including higher speedlimits, good weather, great roads, no front plates and no following radar :2thumbsup

2wheels in Red Beach

10th November 2005, 19:33

You sure are,

I dont see what so scary... First time I took a road bike through town, I lanesplitted every chance I had. Sure those nuts cage drivers who love to run the red light give you bit of fright... but you have brakes right.
I travel the northern from red beach to mt wellington everyday and I lane split at there thought of a bit of traffic. The other day I was quite happy going down the middle when I saw the ol' bill on two wheels so pulled in to a gap and some silly old bird took a dislike to this maneuver :nono: and started to play see how close I can get to the back wheel of the bike. Lucky fo me she then also saw the ol' bill and laid back. Moral of the story while lane splitting is ok just be carefull It ain't always the big ugly fellas out there that have road rage.

kro

10th November 2005, 19:40

I am guilty of waiting in line. I lane split a couple of times when agro car drivers threatened me or my bike with grievous bodily harm, it ensures a peaceful resolution to problems of that nature.

Wolf

10th November 2005, 20:47

Better knowen as the suicide.
Was behind a truck one day, had two signs on the back.

On the right: "Passing side -->"

On the left: "<-- Sui-side"

I seldom lane split as I've seen Hamilscum drivers do stupid things too frequently to risk it most of the time... I'm seldom in enough of a hurry to get somewhere to risk dying or being fucked-up Big Time because some retard has decided that he's tired of sitting in the queue and decides to swing his cage out to stake a claim to a non-existent gap between cars in the other lane - I've actually seen this: retard with his car diagonally across the dotted line between the lanes in the fond hope that he can force his way in front of a car that seems to be wanting to mate with the car in front.

Also seen them suddenly U-turn out of the queue if it's a two-lane street and they decide that it would be faster taking another route - they always look like they're more interested in the gap in the on-coming traffic than what might be beetling responsibly and carefully down the white line behind them.

Then there's the eggs who might decide to open a door or do something similarly dickheaded because they're jealous of bikes - I learned to ride in this town and I've lived here for a large number of years - consequently I have a very low opinion of Hamilscum cage drivers.

Most of the time I just sit in the queue and compose the Great New Zealand Novel... or my shopping list. I live by "better to be five minutes late than dead on time."

I've been riding for a large number of years and I've done some pretty crazy and down-right irresponsible in my time, now I ride like a "Nana" - Ixion style - in the interests of riding for a large number of years to come and showing a good example to my kids (and enjoying my time with them for a large number of years to come.)

I have nothing to prove to anyone, I don't have to get anywhere first. If I'm first in line at the lights, I usually stay there unless I catch up with someone or someone pulls out in front of me. If I'm in the queue, who cares - I'm enjoying my bike ride.

stunz

10th November 2005, 21:20

Last Wednesday, I thought I'd be a responsible motorcyclist for the benefit of all the youngsters that always eyeball ya as you ride, and stay in the flow of traffic. All 5km per hour of it. :blink:
I glanced over my shoulder looking for a break in the middle lane when the car ahead stopped. I hauled on the front picks believing I had plenty of time to pull up only for the brake handle to snap off in my hand. The front takes off again, the back locks up, and...BANG! (Cheap, crappy 15 year old brake handles...who'd've thunk eh?)

Long story short, minor damage, no injuries, no police.

Personally, I feel a lot more vulnerable inching forward in a slow moving line of traffic than I do travelling 25-30kph up between them. With all that stopping and starting, cage drivers just do not have a long enough attention span for me to trust my life to them pulling up in time as they're busy inspecting that stringy booger they just excavated.

Ixion

10th November 2005, 21:31

..
I've been riding for a large number of years and I've done some pretty crazy and down-right irresponsible in my time, now I ride like a "Nana" - Ixion style - in the interests of riding for a large number of years to come and showing a good example to my kids (and enjoying my time with them for a large number of years to come.)

...

Oh dear.Is this the wrong time to admit that I lanesplit (if the traffic is banked up more than about 10 cars and less than 20kph) and filter if the queue is more than about 6 cars ? Very carefully of course.