Lane splitting/filtering: the legal and commonsense answers

[SPORK]

Auckland CBD riders:

After splitting to the front of say, Queen/Victoria St lights, when there's one of those oh-so-frequent 30 second pedestrian gaps - does anyone else hop off the bike and push it across, provided it's not swarming with people? I've done it a couple of times now, and it generally saves about 90 seconds of fucking around. A policeman saw me once and didn't seem to mind, either...

[wanpo]

Just remember, an indicator does not automatically give you the right to move over. I will generally let people in as it's the courteous thing to do but always assume that others won't.

Yeah, I know it was my bad and I acted on a bad assumption that, you know, he wasn't a cock and would actually slow down. I'm just happy to have gotten away from it scratch free, in one piece and a little wiser

[Cayman911]

Auckland CBD riders:

After splitting to the front of say, Queen/Victoria St lights, when there's one of those oh-so-frequent 30 second pedestrian gaps - does anyone else hop off the bike and push it across, provided it's not swarming with people? I've done it a couple of times now, and it generally saves about 90 seconds of fucking around. A policeman saw me once and didn't seem to mind, either...


quite a good idea actually, ill give it a go next time and see.

on the splitting note of things.... yesterday i think it was...across the road a little commuter got fully taken out while splitting because an old man in a kia decided to change lanes.

splitting with moving traffic not a nice idea. fast anyways. guy was ok. got up brushed his shoulders. but he was fully thrown off the bike.

i personally only do it with the traffic stationary.

[swbarnett]

a little commuter got fully taken out while splitting because an old man in a kia decided to change lanes.
One thing you have to remember while splitting - if you get taken out like this it's not just the fault of the car. I split every morning and evening in Auckland traffic and I'm not slow about it. I've had a number of cars do this to me and since I started riding again three years ago and I've not once had a problem avoiding them. It's a matter of recognising that, to the rest of the traffic, you are invisible and acting accordingly. Keep both eyes and all your other senses on what's going on around you and you will know well enough in advance of a problem developing.

For a lane splitting noob, as with any new skill, it comes back to the old adage of "learn to crawl before you try to walk".

[Cayman911]

For a lane splitting noob, as with any new skill, it comes back to the old adage of "learn to crawl before you try to walk".

Yep, well said. sometimes the biggest downfall can be over confidence. "nah slow is for losers, i can gas it 'cause im the next rossi"

Taking it slow is not only good for learning, well the best for learning, because you learn every single step in the way, and you always have something you have acheived and something to look forward to.

[Jonno.]

Auckland CBD riders:

After splitting to the front of say, Queen/Victoria St lights, when there's one of those oh-so-frequent 30 second pedestrian gaps - does anyone else hop off the bike and push it across, provided it's not swarming with people? I've done it a couple of times now, and it generally saves about 90 seconds of fucking around. A policeman saw me once and didn't seem to mind, either...

I'd rather wait 90 seconds then deal with that shame :lol:

[Spazman727]

This has probably been said already but surely a bike going up the emergency lane or bus laen etc, would be better for traffic than having them sit in the lanes and taking up space that could be used by a car, therefore making the traffic a little better?

[Swoop]

This has probably been said already but surely a bike going up the emergency lane or bus laen etc, would be better for traffic than having them sit in the lanes and taking up space that could be used by a car, therefore making the traffic a little better?
Possibly. With the amount of road-crap and puncture inducing pieces of shit in that (motorway) lane though, perhaps not.

[Cayman911]

Auckland CBD riders:

After splitting to the front of say, Queen/Victoria St lights, when there's one of those oh-so-frequent 30 second pedestrian gaps - does anyone else hop off the bike and push it across, provided it's not swarming with people? I've done it a couple of times now, and it generally saves about 90 seconds of fucking around. A policeman saw me once and didn't seem to mind, either...

I was waitin in queen street today by the lights to turn right, it was just me. and i dont think i set off the thingy to tell it im there so it turns the right light green.

so after it went red again without letting me pass, i got so annoyed i got off the bike and did that exact thing :). people were looking at me like "wtf ?" but ohwell...i got to the other side and gassed it.

[Cayman911]

Possibly. With the amount of road-crap and puncture inducing pieces of shit in that (motorway) lane though, perhaps not.

its not just the motorway, pretty much everysingle street there is. mostly by the intersections , full of crap, glass, bolts, shredded metal, you name it. becareful when you split.

outside the lanes is a whole new dangerous world of sharp objects

something needs to be done about it. need more of those sweeper trucks.

[bkker]

It's cheaper to be fined for Overtaking Where Prohibited than Careless Driving.
haha, cheers for the advice

[R-Soul]

I was waitin in queen street today by the lights to turn right, it was just me. and i dont think i set off the thingy to tell it im there so it turns the right light green.

so after it went red again without letting me pass, i got so annoyed i got off the bike and did that exact thing :). people were looking at me like "wtf ?" but ohwell...i got to the other side and gassed it.

hehe yeah thats happened a couple of times with me too in Otahuhu- the damned thing just didn't bother turning green for me at all!?? So eventually I just gassed it through the red at the change...

[scooute]

some cops just hate bikes , it`s a fact and he`s one of them, most of the people who hate bikes can`t ride em and thats a fact as well , does anyone disagree.

I agree with the later part of your comment in that those that dont ride do not understand that it is not good for you or your bike to attempt to roll along at a couple of kph or stop and start. :Playnice:+ learner riders have restrictions ( after being one I totaly agree with them) and also are more easily startled by people pulling out at them in retaliation to lane splitting. I agree with all who have commented "if it dont feel right dont do it" do not attempt if your a less experienced rider ( I tend to travel rurally to avoid traffic, its the long way around but is afer and a nicer ride for myself and my bike!!! Ride safe every one!!! :scooter:

[scooute]

That's because most Kiwi riders are paranoid about getting done for careless or reckless riding because the legislators can't tidy up there act and tell us in plain English what we can and can't do. :(

Filtering would be safer if we could concentrate on filtering and not looking madly about for any bike hating cop, lurking on overbridges to up their ticket quotas.


We are long overdue on the legislators recognising that motorbikes are saving the environment and making it easier for all motorists to get to work quicker.
There would be a lot more motorcyclists commuting if the shoulders were dedicated to them at certain speed limits etc.
Aha here is a person with a point, there is so much mumbo jumbo with the road rules that people either worry greatly about what will happen to them because the law is so unclear and unreseptive to motorcyclists or give up and go back to the safety of a car (where is the fun and freedom in that?) come on NZ law makers just make it clear please we want to live and save the planet at the same time (plus its more fun!!!) :yes:

Thanks to all those who have shared there experiences and opionions in this thread most informative (and occasionaly entertaining)
Ride safe all

[Neshi]

I agree with the later part of your comment in that those that dont ride do not understand that it is not good for you or your bike to attempt to roll along at a couple of kph or stop and start. :Playnice:+ learner riders have restrictions ( after being one I totaly agree with them) and also are more easily startled by people pulling out at them in retaliation to lane splitting. I agree with all who have commented "if it dont feel right dont do it" do not attempt if your a less experienced rider ( I tend to travel rurally to avoid traffic, its the long way around but is afer and a nicer ride for myself and my bike!!! Ride safe every one!!! :scooter:

I kind of disagree. I've been riding for just 3-4 months now so I'm still on my learners. My L plate fell off in my 2nd week of riding and didn't bother to put another one on. I've been splitting lanes from the very beginning and never had problems. But then, for me it does feel right to split. Maybe I'm just a natural :) Never had a runin with police either, even though I do 100-120 on the motorway. I guess it's a lot to do with your own attitude on the bike. If you look confident and it seems like you know what you're doing, I think most police will let you pass (splitting that is, speeding is another story). But if you look anxious and don't seem like you could keep the bike upright... well, you could as well wear a sign on your back that says: 'Fine Me'

[Blinkwing]

I kind of disagree. I've been riding for just 3-4 months now so I'm still on my learners. My L plate fell off in my 2nd week of riding and didn't bother to put another one on. I've been splitting lanes from the very beginning and never had problems. But then, for me it does feel right to split. Maybe I'm just a natural :) Never had a runin with police either, even though I do 100-120 on the motorway. I guess it's a lot to do with your own attitude on the bike. If you look confident and it seems like you know what you're doing, I think most police will let you pass (splitting that is, speeding is another story). But if you look anxious and don't seem like you could keep the bike upright... well, you could as well wear a sign on your back that says: 'Fine Me'

Basically if you're under the speed limit, look comfortable and NOT passing cars too fast (can be considered 'dangerous driving' to them), it's all good.

[CookMySock]

I kind of disagree. I've been riding for just 3-4 months now so I'm still on my learners. My L plate fell off in my 2nd week of riding and didn't bother to put another one on. I've been splitting lanes from the very beginning and never had problems. But then, for me it does feel right to split. Maybe I'm just a natural :) Never had a runin with police either, even though I do 100-120 on the motorway. I guess it's a lot to do with your own attitude on the bike. If you look confident and it seems like you know what you're doing, I think most police will let you pass (splitting that is, speeding is another story). But if you look anxious and don't seem like you could keep the bike upright... well, you could as well wear a sign on your back that says: 'Fine Me'If you already have some roadcraft skills, you should be fine lane sharing on the open road. Things seem to somehow work in slow motion at open road speeds.

Steve

[Rogue Rider]

Bloody marvelous, well documented and good insight. I am thinking similar. What do you call the verge inside the white line thats not a bus lane? I have used that and it's been fine.
Also, I was reading on the LTSA website that it is permissible to use bus lanes for motorcycles. Being LTSA they surely can't be wrong, and also it didn't say particular types of bus lanes.
I would love a KB Policemans perspective on this. I questioned a Police Biker and he was unaware of the protocols. I refered him to the ltsa site and he subsequently didn't issue me a ticket. He did say he would call me back, but didn't so curious to know if he checked and I was right.
I think Bikes using bus lanes or verges is fine, safer, keeps bikes out of traffic and fumes, as well as prevents congestion. My only comment is that road sweepers should still be sweeping old bus lanes.

Motorcycles should have an independent lane anyway.



Four years as a courier, a couple of hours reading the regulations at the public library and a court case taught me this (plain English version):

It is OK to overtake on the RIGHT of a MOVING or STATIONARY vehicle within the same lane (unless it's indicating to turn right).

It is OK to overtake on the LEFT of a STATIONARY vehicle within the same lane (unless it's indicating to turn left).

It is AN OFFENCE to overtake on the LEFT of a MOVING vehicle in the same lane (unless it's indicating to turn right).

So, to sum up, because the laws to be concerned with relate to the vehicles in the same lane as you - the other lanes are other roads, effectively - if you're travelling down the right hand side of the cars within their lane, you're OK. If you're between the lane markers and left side of moving cars, you're committing an offence. If you're on the left and they're stationary, you're OK. Until they start moving. HOWEVER...

The court case taught me that if you're overtaking safely and legally on the right and one of those vehicles being overtaken is a Constable on a police motorcycle and he offers you a ticket for Overtaking Where Prohibited and you assert that you were in fact not overtaking where prohibted, he will advise you that he "will make it Careless Driving then, and sort it out in court" where two JPs will decide that your experience and admitted unlikelihood of having an accident are irrelevant because of the louder than standard aftermarket silencers your bike was fitted with, mentioned in passing by the prosecution, which might give the drivers of the cars you were passing a fright at the moment of passing, potentially resulting in a crash and that you were, therefore, guilty of Careless Driving and should pay $480 plus costs which is more than the unlicensed 16 yr old at the same hearing who 'borrowed' his uncle's car and at 1 am on a rainy Sunday morning with 3 passengers on board, travelled the wrong way up the one way part of Crummer Rd at more than twice the speed limit and rolled the car into several parked cars would have to pay [$400 plus costs]. Or the truck driver with only a car licence who rolled his fruit and veg delivery truck at the end of Waipuna Bridge taking out a set of traffic lights, covering the local landscape with oranges and causing a road closure for 3 hours should have to pay [$450 plus costs]. And further...

As Clockwork rightly points out in previous post http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=10838 every time you overtake a car on the left, that driver has firstly committed the offence of 'Failing to drive as near as practicable to the left side of the roadway', but I would be stunned if anyone in NZ has ever been issued a ticket for that.

Practical advice? It's cheaper to be fined for Overtaking Where Prohibited than Careless Driving. In stop-start traffic, it's safer between the sides of 2 cars than between the bumpers. The less time spent amongst the fumes of near-stationary traffic the better. And your time's worth money - if lane-splitting saves you an hour every work day for doing something you like, as it does me, that's 245 hours a year. Your annual leave only totals 120 hours. So, until the 'keep left' law starts being enforced, or the 'no overtaking on the left' law is repealed to allow the least-guilty motorway users unimpeded passage, for safety, mental and physical health, and timesaving I recommend...

Don't get me started.

[FROSTY]

RR--a long time ago this was well and truely covered off. The short version is that you cannot legally ride in the motorway bus lanes.
Also I strongly advise that you DONT ride in that part of the road. It may seem safer but its a certain way to ruin a set of tyres.
All the nails and glass and bits of other sharp stuff end up over there.

[Spearfish]

RR--a long time ago this was well and truely covered off. The short version is that you cannot legally ride in the motorway bus lanes.
Also I strongly advise that you DONT ride in that part of the road. It may seem safer but its a certain way to ruin a set of tyres.
All the nails and glass and bits of other sharp stuff end up over there.

There is sometimes a big step down in surface level from the road to the bus lane, on the north western anyway.
Just a caution if you break down and have to use it one day.

[Swoop]

There is sometimes a big step down in surface level from the road to the bus lane, on the north western anyway.
Just a caution if you break down and have to use it one day.
Fairly uncommon now. The last re-seal of the road appears to have brought it up to the same level.
Still don't want to use the buslane with all the crap on it.

A bit like the bikeway. The amount of broken glass that ends up there is bad news for pushbike tyres!
Have seen the cops brushing glass off the road and onto the cycleway after an accident.:ar15:

[reggie1198]

Four years as a courier, a couple of hours reading the regulations at the public library and a court case taught me this (plain English version):

It is OK to overtake on the RIGHT of a MOVING or STATIONARY vehicle within the same lane (unless it's indicating to turn right).

It is OK to overtake on the LEFT of a STATIONARY vehicle within the same lane (unless it's indicating to turn left).

It is AN OFFENCE to overtake on the LEFT of a MOVING vehicle in the same lane (unless it's indicating to turn right).

So, to sum up, because the laws to be concerned with relate to the vehicles in the same lane as you - the other lanes are other roads, effectively - if you're travelling down the right hand side of the cars within their lane, you're OK. If you're between the lane markers and left side of moving cars, you're committing an offence. If you're on the left and they're stationary, you're OK. Until they start moving. HOWEVER...

The court case taught me that if you're overtaking safely and legally on the right and one of those vehicles being overtaken is a Constable on a police motorcycle and he offers you a ticket for Overtaking Where Prohibited and you assert that you were in fact not overtaking where prohibted, he will advise you that he "will make it Careless Driving then, and sort it out in court" where two JPs will decide that your experience and admitted unlikelihood of having an accident are irrelevant because of the louder than standard aftermarket silencers your bike was fitted with, mentioned in passing by the prosecution, which might give the drivers of the cars you were passing a fright at the moment of passing, potentially resulting in a crash and that you were, therefore, guilty of Careless Driving and should pay $480 plus costs which is more than the unlicensed 16 yr old at the same hearing who 'borrowed' his uncle's car and at 1 am on a rainy Sunday morning with 3 passengers on board, travelled the wrong way up the one way part of Crummer Rd at more than twice the speed limit and rolled the car into several parked cars would have to pay [$400 plus costs]. Or the truck driver with only a car licence who rolled his fruit and veg delivery truck at the end of Waipuna Bridge taking out a set of traffic lights, covering the local landscape with oranges and causing a road closure for 3 hours should have to pay [$450 plus costs]. And further...

As Clockwork rightly points out in previous post http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=10838 every time you overtake a car on the left, that driver has firstly committed the offence of 'Failing to drive as near as practicable to the left side of the roadway', but I would be stunned if anyone in NZ has ever been issued a ticket for that.

Practical advice? It's cheaper to be fined for Overtaking Where Prohibited than Careless Driving. In stop-start traffic, it's safer between the sides of 2 cars than between the bumpers. The less time spent amongst the fumes of near-stationary traffic the better. And your time's worth money - if lane-splitting saves you an hour every work day for doing something you like, as it does me, that's 245 hours a year. Your annual leave only totals 120 hours. So, until the 'keep left' law starts being enforced, or the 'no overtaking on the left' law is repealed to allow the least-guilty motorway users unimpeded passage, for safety, mental and physical health, and timesaving I recommend...

Don't get me started.

I got stung with a ticket for overtaking on the left (about 14 years ago - on the northern motorway) also got done for riding on the wrong class of licence at the same time.

[MarkH]

I got stung with a ticket for overtaking on the left (about 14 years ago - on the northern motorway) also got done for riding on the wrong class of licence at the same time.

Do you recall what the fine was for overtaking on the left? Can someone tell us what the current fine is for that offence? I haven't been pulled over for it, but have been guilty of it plenty of times.

[Robtharalson]

When I'm commuting 105 miles a day the feeling from dealing with heavy traffic as effortlessly as the 919 with lanesplitter bars is capable of has to be, at least for me, the pinnacle of riding! This may sound a trifle strange coming from someone who so thoroughly revels in twisty asphalt, but the two are so completely different as to defy comparison past the obvious commonality of man and machine, and our symbosis.

I'm convinced it's the incessant variety and intensely dynamic nature of it that is addictive, but not in an adrenaline surge sort of way -- quite the contrary: there is a zen aspect to moving through traffic that requires a detachment from the immediate ... for at least part of my brain. Instincts will take care of what is directly in front of me with only minor additions of conscious attention to abet accuracy and smoothness, but the bulk of my awareness is toward the organism that is any group of cars, with ripples and eddies; crosscurrents; twitches and tremors; and just a soupçon of unpredictability that gives it spice.

Lane splitting is, of course, an integral part of the traffic experience, and requires a shift in my attention from the predominant awareness of traffic in general to a closer in subconscious focus on the 15 cars ahead in the lanes to each side of me, and the next lane over for its effect on cars on my right. The bulk of my conscious awareness, maybe 30% as compared to 5 to 10% when traffic is moving faster, is toward the four cars just ahead of me, and there is where things get difficult to describe. I have, for want of a better term, received messages from drivers as clearly as if they were talking in my ear, occasionally words, but more commonly a feeling of an earnest of intent to do something that I will have to deal with, particularly left turners. How much is the result of playing the "what if?" game for nigh on 40 years, and how much is something deeper I cannot say, but I've come to know how to sense all inputs and avoid situations before they become situations. As evidence of the effectiveness of this, I have not had to apply the brakes hard, much less panic stop, in over 20 years despite nearly daily exposure to the worst traffic L.A. can throw at me. Make no mistake, I've had to make some very quick maneuvers usually accompanied by judicious amounts of throttle (When in doubt, gas it!), but they are usually non events.
The foregoing is for those who can split lanes, and may I offer sympathy to those who cannot legally do so. Splitting is one of the best teachers of deadly accurate control and the finer points of reading traffic.

Everything I've said up to this point represents an ideal that happens quite often, but being human means you are not always on top of your game, and it can bite if you don't catch the warning signs and take more care.

The problem with learning this is there is no way I can think of to teach it other than describing it in as much detail as possible to make others aware that it is possible, but in the final analysis it takes lots of exposure and having all possible moves necessary to control the motorcycle so ingrained that even in a desperate situation no conscious thought about control is required, freeing up brain space for a more important task: first avoiding an accident, then eventually avoiding the necessity of avoidance.

My commute on a selected stretch of the 10 / 405 freeway. The microphone picked up wind noise and not much else, so turn the volume down.
lEOwNXL76pg

And in case you're wondering, no I'm not insane! And I was to learn that there was a motor officer following me for about 5 miles on the 405 (he was behind me during this clip), and the worst I got from him was a thumbs up. If you're smooth and your speed is reasonable they don't seem to care what you do. Good old Los Angeles!

Rob

[MarkH]

And in case you're wondering, no I'm not insane! And I was to learn that there was a motor officer following me for about 5 miles on the 405 (he was behind me during this clip), and the worst I got from him was a thumbs up. If you're smooth and your speed is reasonable they don't seem to care what you do. Good old Los Angeles!

Rob

I watched through the video to see what there was that some would think was insane - nup, looked like plain ol' lanesplitting to me! :niceone:

Every time I go on the motorway and the traffic is flowing well I feel a little disappointed - there is definitely something about getting to your destination while all those poor saps in their cars are barely moving. It is rare for me to not split at least a few times on my journey though - a bike is narrower than a car, why not take advantage of it!

[Sis]

the NZ Herald had a little article on lane splitting in this mornings paper

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10688399

[HappyGOriding]

Notice the comment made by ART a true cager that one especially the bit about bikes being difficult or impossible to see

[FROSTY]

Notice the comment made by ART a true cager that one especially the bit about bikes being difficult or impossible to see
I'm sorry mon I've covered this off before and the guy is bang on the money as far as bikes being hard to see.
if you are in a "normal" sedan then reality is your rear visibility is about 3 cars back and is really limited to your lane and a bit of the lane either side of you.
Add to that the fact that in rush hour traffic you tend to be closer than perhaps legal and your focus is on whats in front not whats behind you.
A bike aproaching at 30km/h faster than the car is going IS going to catch him and apear pretty darned fast.
THAT ol son is reality.Either we as bikers accept it and work with that or we don't split lanes.
NOT having a go atcha here but life isn't fair and right and we as bikers are not the centre of the universe. --Me I accept that and ride accordingly

[cheshirecat]

the NZ Herald had a little article on lane splitting in this mornings paper

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10688399

"My understanding is that motorcycles are required to use a whole lane.."
Wonder where on earth he got that concept from

[BMWST?]

at 30 km an hour you are covering 8metres every second..and thats relative to the speed the traffic is going.So a bike can easliy appear within two or three car lengths from literally nowhere.Think about it .If you have an accident lanesplitting i reckon it s YOUR fault.Most motorcyclists lane split too fast IMHO.
I dont lane split unless the traffic is very very slow or stopped.If i do lane split i will most often use the safety shoulder.Yes i know its illegal but i think its the safest way to do it.I go quite slowly relative to the cars.And for those who lanesplit at 50 r 60 faster than traffic...you must be supermen that equates to about 14 m per second...ie three car lengths per second.You would likely travel a car length before you even realise that someone has indicated to change lanes

[Dschubba]

You would likely travel a car length before you even realise that someone has indicated to change lanes

I think you are a bit optimistic...

when have you ever seen a car indicate to change lanes? !!!

[Swoop]

...before you even realise that someone has indicated to change lanes
Kiwi's don't indicate, so "read" the traffic and be prepared.

[skinman]

I tend to split only when traffic slows to about 60 or less & then travel about 20-30 k faster than the cars. Have noticed if I dont keep the speed difference big enough it gives any a' hole who wants to close off the gap time to do it. I definitely work on the assumption that I am invisible. Saying that, since I went to a big bike I get spotted (or heard) coming more often and they make room on the whole. Which is good cause I need quite a bit to get a C50 through.

[flyingcrocodile46]

I have on occasion clipped car mirrors and once been clipped by a lane changing cage as I was passing. I got to thinking about how big the gaps between cars need to be to pass safely.

So I measured the width of my bars, mirrors and levers (just a smidge under 900 wide) and marked it with a couple of paint lines on the fence then stood back to look at it and see how it looked compared to my recollection of the widths of the gaps I regularly scoot through. A bit of an eye opener as I reckon the width of my bars is about the same or more than the space between car mirrors that I often ride between. I often have to flick the top of the bike from one side to the other to weave through between them.

I videoed a trip in to work a couple of years ago on my trust GS1100G Zook. After seeing the merican version of lane splitting posted below, I figured I'd upload my own to see what the KB morality police thought.

Is this typical or am I a loose unit?<object height="344" width="425">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IMuHaGOK2kU?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></object><object height="344" width="425"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IMuHaGOK2kU?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></object>

[yachtie10]

shit a BMW that indicates
FWIW I think at times your going a bit quicker than i would but some on here would call me a nana (hard to tell how fast you were really going)

[MarkH]

Is this typical or am I a loose unit?

Looks pretty normal to me - the speed you split matters, but being alert and anticipating what the drivers are going to do matters so much more. Keep your eyes open and stay as safe as you can.

[Berries]

Is this typical or am I a loose unit?
It didn't look out of order. Seemed a bit close to the truck and trailer, but then you waited for a Volvo. Obviously not in that much of a hurry at the time.

[swbarnett]

Is this typical or am I a loose unit?
Looks pretty similar to what I do on that same stretch of road most mornings.

The only comment I have is not really a negative, just a matter of personal paranoia. I tend to be weary of gaps in traffic where one lane is empty for a car-length or two. I usually swing in to the empty space so that if the car in the other lane suddenly decides to take the gap I'm already out of their killing zone.

[hamd0g]

Yea, im extra cautious aproaching the empty lanes also, u never know when that car is going to decide to suddenly change lanes.

multiple bikes splittng cars either side is a bit dodge. it could bite either of you if the driver sees only one of you and moves over.

[flyingcrocodile46]

Yea, im extra cautious aproaching the empty lanes also, u never know when that car is going to decide to suddenly change lanes.

multiple bikes splittng cars either side is a bit dodge. it could bite either of you if the driver sees only one of you and moves over.

Yes, I agree with both observations. I usually swing across into the empty lane a little bit but obviously not consistently.

I have thought about the additional riskd involved in splitting both sides of a vehicle at the same time but the alternative is most often having to halve my speed due to the rider in front either not noticing me behind them (too busy looking forward to look in their mirrors I guess) or in some cases noticing but not pulling over (possibly because they feel that going faster than them is wrong?). I am also conscious that some riders are rather obviously nervous and I don't want to fluster them into doing something panicky so I just flick across and pass on the other side.

[R-Soul]

something I have noticed:
I move the bike from lane to lane a lot, moving to the side of the white line that has the most space. I also try and miss the white lines by doing a quick hip "shimmy".

When I do the shimmy from side to side, I notice that cars tend to notice me more, and I get a lot of cars purposefully moving over a little for me. More than normal. Very nice of them.

I think it is because the side to side movement of the handlebars causes a flashing of my headlight in their rear view/side view mirrors, making me more noticeable.

It would be ideal if the government just marked out a bike lane 1 metre across on the right hand side of the motorway though...

[superman]

It would be ideal if the government just marked out a bike lane 1 metre across on the right hand side of the motorway though...

To dream! :niceone:

Did my first early morning commute into uni today which meant the first time I was lane splitting on the motorway.

Shat myself a few times, especially when you're going inbetween a couple and it feels like they are about to sandwich you in. And bloody annoying when you get people sitting on the very left or very right of their lane meaning you can't get through!

But I guess practice makes perfect, shall try again tomorrow morning :bleh:

[C.Linnell]

Just watch out for those opportunistic lane changers on the motorway. They don't look, they don't indicate, they just go. Fucking hate them!

[superman]

Followed a cop on his big BMW motorcycle as he was lane splitting yesterday. He had a car just cut in front of him changing lanes :shit: bet that car felt a little silly after.

Getting quite used to it now after 4 days... I make sure to always be very weary if there is a gap anywhere in traffic and think that any one of the cars next to the gap will just jolt over willy nilly. I give a wave to any car that sees me and shoves off to the side, they definitely make life easier. Positive reinforcement maybe more will do it! :eek: Today my 50km journey into the city, leaving 8:15am from my house and on motorway all the way from Manurewa only took 45mins. Damn happy I was :bleh:

Oh and blooody following bikers that go from splitting inbetween the fast lane and middle lane as I do and then they just switch over to slow and middle lane splitting. All the bloody cars he comes up to are then going to move over further towards my splitting lane seeing him first! Bloody idiot, bit of an effort trying to follow his lane splitting lane changes. Yesterday morning was rather funny though, super congestion everywhere and even the splitting lane I must have had about 6 bikes in front of me. Lane splitting congestion... BLOODY AUCKLAND!

[Latte]

Yeah the southern is the hardest to split imo, the nw is easier in general, but more aggro Drivers (not many, just notice one or two trying the squeeze/block routine) But the southern seems narrower, and traffic seems more oblivious of us.

The northern is a breeze in comparison, very little lane jumping, wide gaps on the most part, people shift over - including slower splitters. If they'd only have a coffee stand on my onramp, so I could sip my latte' on the way to work ;)

[Swoop]

even the splitting lane I must have had about 6 bikes in front of me. Lane splitting congestion...
That is the reason for riders to scan mirrors every few seconds. The danger is ahead, but we might be holding up a quicker splitter. Let them through and then carry on as you were (probably with an easier opening that the departing bike has left you!).

[superman]

Yeah the southern is the hardest to split imo, the nw is easier in general, but more aggro Drivers (not many, just notice one or two trying the squeeze/block routine) But the southern seems narrower, and traffic seems more oblivious of us.

The northern is a breeze in comparison, very little lane jumping, wide gaps on the most part, people shift over - including slower splitters. If they'd only have a coffee stand on my onramp, so I could sip my latte' on the way to work ;)

Oh my god. Coffee stand at onramps for congested car drivers. :niceone: Now that right there is an epic buck earning idea. Not allowed to stop there unfortunately. Maybe pay the council a % and then they wave any law they have when they see $$$ :weird: Could be done a couple places before the onramps though, just sit on the left side on a footpath with some epic trolly coffee maker. Put a sign a hundred metres back saying go leftlane for a coffee for $x... lower your passenger window. Hmm... might try that if I got around to it :bleh:

[R-Soul]

I was following a lane splitter on a 250 cruiser this morning, who was going REALLY slowly (might as well have been in a cage really). Never mind, I was being patient and respectful. I saw them look in their rear view mirror and see me.

They carried on. They did not move over. Never mind, I said to myself, they are learners, and very nervous. They will let me through when there is space for themselves to move into. So I waited, and waited. And waited.

Then, finally, a big gap opened up in the left lane, and they moved into it (not fully mind you). so I came up closer, slowly, being careful and all. Then, as I was about to pass them, they looked at me in the mirror, and started moving over towards the line again! At the same time, a gap had opened up in the right lane. I had had enough. So I blitzed past them in the right hand lane, in a legal overtaking manouver.

That was pretty selfish behaviour though. Maybe just lack of skill/nervousness, and uncertainty as to how filtering works, but no effort at all to be considerate.

I have no issue if a bike has not seen me. But this guy had clearly seen me twice.

[superman]

Yeah the southern is the hardest to split imo, the nw is easier in general, but more aggro Drivers (not many, just notice one or two trying the squeeze/block routine) But the southern seems narrower, and traffic seems more oblivious of us.

The northern is a breeze in comparison, very little lane jumping, wide gaps on the most part, people shift over - including slower splitters. If they'd only have a coffee stand on my onramp, so I could sip my latte' on the way to work ;)

Did my first southern jaunt 4:30pm Friday. You couldn't have been more correct. I bet car drivers are just buggered after a day of work and cbfd, while in the morning they are fresh and ready for action.

Thank goodness I never finish lectures after 3pm from now on, then the traffic is barely an issue. :bleh:

[flyingcrocodile46]

I was following a rider on a BMW GS650 (older model) yesterday morning from Greville Rd through to and past upper harbour drive. I was about 4 or 5 car lengths behind him when I saw a f#kwit pull over from the left lane to the right lane just as the rider was about half a car length behind him. He did not indicate and it was a fast lane change rather than gradual.

It was a bit of an eye opener for me (prolly a different orifice that opened up on the other rider). The rider applied his front brake hard almost or slightly lifting the rear wheel in the air as the car came across. The rider did a great job of controlling his machine, as the rear wheel came down he leaned the bike hard right just as the car impacted first his wheels then the body of the bike as the car pushed him to the side and the bike came upright.

I pulled over in front of both of them (all of us hard to the centre barrier) and left my card with them. The rider was ok. It looked like a broken indicator and some panel scratches were all the damage (though didn't look long enough to be sure). The car driver (F#ing import) had the nerve to complain that the rider shouldn't have been in between the lanes. I abused him telling him that the rider was allowed to lane split and that he should keep his F#n eyes open and then accused him of trying to run the rider off the road. I couldn't wait around so told the rider I was glad he was ok then left for work.

I got a call from plod later in the day asking me details about the accident then asked me which lane the rider was in at the time of the accident. I didn't want to lie so I told him "I think he was to the left of the line but can't be sure as my attention was focused on the car cutting the rider off and his amazing work in controlling the event, but that I had followed him for some time and had observed that he was on the left side most of the time, only moving to the right side as cars to his left moved accross and forced him to cross the line" Plod then responded Ok we will leave the issue as to which side of the line he was on for now. He pointed out that if the rider was on the right (as opposed to left) side of the line when the event occurred that he would be in the wrong.

In summary, if you are on the right you are in the wrong. If when lane splitting, you are run off the road by a lane changer, then you had best be to the left side of the white line otherwise you might be paying to repair a cage as well as your bike.

[BMWST?]

I was following a rider on a BMW GS650 (older model) yesterday morning from Greville Rd through to and past upper harbour drive. I was about 4 or 5 car lengths behind him when I saw a f#kwit pull over from the left lane to the right lane just as the rider was about half a car length behind him. He did not indicate and it was a fast lane change rather than gradual.

It was a bit of an eye opener for me (prolly a different orifice that opened up on the other rider). The rider applied his front brake hard almost or slightly lifting the rear wheel in the air as the car came across. The rider did a great job of controlling his machine, as the rear wheel came down he leaned the bike hard right just as the car impacted first his wheels then the body of the bike as the car pushed him to the side and the bike came upright.

I pulled over in front of both of them (all of us hard to the centre barrier) and left my card with them. The rider was ok. It looked like a broken indicator and some panel scratches were all the damage (though didn't look long enough to be sure). The car driver (F#ing import) had the nerve to complain that the rider shouldn't have been in between the lanes. I abused him telling him that the rider was allowed to lane split and that he should keep his F#n eyes open and then accused him of trying to run the rider off the road. I couldn't wait around so told the rider I was glad he was ok then left for work.

I got a call from plod later in the day asking me details about the accident then asked me which lane the rider was in at the time of the accident. I didn't want to lie so I told him "I think he was to the left of the line but can't be sure as my attention was focused on the car cutting the rider off and his amazing work in controlling the event, but that I had followed him for some time and had observed that he was on the left side most of the time, only moving to the right side as cars to his left moved accross and forced him to cross the line" Plod then responded Ok we will leave the issue as to which side of the line he was on for now. He pointed out that if the rider was on the right (as opposed to left) side of the line when the event occurred that he would be in the wrong.

In summary, if you are on the right you are in the wrong. If when lane splitting, you are run off the road by a lane changer, then you had best be to the left side of the white line otherwise you might be paying to repair a cage as well as your bike.

because if you are to the right of the dividing line you are actually passing on the left but are not in a seperate lane which is illegal.If you are the to the left you are overtaking legally(but dangerously imho).You are placing your immediate fate in the cagers hands.You are to close to evade them

[flyingcrocodile46]

because if you are to the right of the dividing line you are actually passing on the left but are not in a seperate lane which is illegal.If you are the to the left you are overtaking legally(but dangerously imho).You are placing your immediate fate in the cagers hands.You are to close to evade them


Yup, pretty much. However the rule is an ass in this instance because it wasn't the car to his right that ran into him. I'm imagine that the rule wasn't made for multiple lane situations but rather intended to benefit the driver of the car to your right when overtaking illegally on a normal (one lane each way) road. I doubt that it was intended that a car to your left (on multi lane roads) should be in the right in this situation. However it doesn't really matter what is right or wrong in most respects. More important is what is the best practice to avoid incidents such as this, period.

[swbarnett]

In summary, if you are on the right you are in the wrong. If when lane splitting, you are run off the road by a lane changer, then you had best be to the left side of the white line otherwise you might be paying to repair a cage as well as your bike.
However, if, at the time of impact, there was no vehicle in the lane to the rider's right could it not be said that the rider was wholly within their own lane and not to the left of anybody?

[swbarnett]

I was following a rider on a BMW GS650 (older model) yesterday morning from Greville Rd through to and past upper harbour drive. I was about 4 or 5 car lengths behind him when I saw a f#kwit pull over from the left lane to the right lane just as the rider was about half a car length behind him. He did not indicate and it was a fast lane change rather than gradual.
Had a similar incident yesterday. I'd been off sick for a couple of days so wasn't as alert as I should've been. The car had indicated but I didn't see them until they'd crossed the centre line. The difference was that I was travelling at a speed that I could've easily stopped short of the car once I did see them. As it happened they stopped and I just went around them in the empty space to their right (and afterwards waved an apology - totally my fault if we'd collided).

[oneofsix]

Had a similar incident yesterday. I'd been off sick for a couple of days so wasn't as alert as I should've been. The car had indicated but I didn't see them until they'd crossed the centre line. The difference was that I was travelling at a speed that I could've easily stopped short of the car once I did see them. As it happened they stopped and I just went around them in the empty space to their right (and afterwards waved an apology - totally my fault if we'd collided).
:niceone:
But you don't even have to be lane splitting. Seems like a few of the cagers forgot their coffee this morning. I was using the lanes, indicated and changed left, frigging cager all done up in jacket and hat (wasn't that cold but could be why he didn't turn his head) indicates and changes on top of me. I managed to flick right, into the space he left, then split the ute that was ahead of him and the van just about to over take it in the right lane and find some space.

[superman]

But you don't even have to be lane splitting. Seems like a few of the cagers forgot their coffee this morning.

I was half splitting next to a car this morning, on the left 1/3 of the fast lane because there was a small gap and I didn't want to be right next to him incase he decided the gap was his. Sure enough he started coming over quickly, no blinker just as I'd started passing his rear quater panel. I swerved hard towards the barrier, flicked bike down gear and wide open throttled her so he wouldn't have a chance of squishing me into the barrier incase he did come all the way. A 1/3 of the way into my lane he realised I was there anyway and swerved back into his lane.

Was just a matter of time before it happened splitting every morning, and glad I didn't react like an idiot in the situation. :yes:

[R-Soul]

I had an incident when I moved from a right hand lane into a space in middle one, and a cage moved from the far left lane into the same space. I was already in the lane (as I accelerated much quicker than him into the gap) and he had prolly checked for space before he started moving across. I flicked right again, back to the line, and then accelerated past.

Whether lane splitting or not, car drivers will move without looking (and sometimes its dangerous for you even when they do look). And the fact is that the agility of bikes sometimes surprises good drivers too. Which is why you just have to be playing worst case scenarios in your mind all the time, and looking for options and plan B's and C's.

[R-Soul]

I was half splitting next to a car this morning, on the left 1/3 of the fast lane because there was a small gap and I didn't want to be right next to him incase he decided the gap was his. Sure enough he started coming over quickly, no blinker just as I'd started passing his rear quater panel. I swerved hard towards the barrier, flicked bike down gear and wide open throttled her so he wouldn't have a chance of squishing me into the barrier incase he did come all the way. A 1/3 of the way into my lane he realised I was there anyway and swerved back into his lane.

Was just a matter of time before it happened splitting every morning, and glad I didn't react like an idiot in the situation. :yes:

I have come to the conclusion that staying in their side view mirror (even if you can see them) is just not safe. When I am alongside a car, I make sure that I am alongside their bonnet, in the drivers direct field of view, with my exhausts making a great big noise next to their window (to remind them that I am there).

Until I am in that spot, I accelerate quickly, to minimise time in the blind spot, but covering brake ( I cover it always anyway) in case they start moving across.

[Timmeh:P]

I ride my bike most days over the bridge from the shore to Auck, but occasionally take the car in. This morning myself and gf took the car into work. We were coming up to the harbour bridge second lane from the left heading into town, she started to indicate to change lanes to her right, had a good look (as I ride and she rides we ALWAYS double and triple check for bikes) and started to make the move.

A harley muppet who was moving well over 30km faster than the traffic also must have seen this gap and decided to make his way to it from what I would guess a couple of cars behind. We ended up in the same spot at the same time, obviously he was pushed aside by the cage.

He took offence to this and decided to use the harley rider wave. :finger:

Anyway, point of the story is even if the driver looks once, twice, thrice, if you are a couple of cars behind you may not be seen. So if you see a gap a few cars ahead, BE WARY!!

Wouldn't expect much from a harley rider with a leather singlet anyway!! :weird:

[superman]

A harley muppet who was moving well over 30km faster than the traffic also must have seen this gap and decided to make his way to it from what I would guess a couple of cars behind. We ended up in the same spot at the same time, obviously he was pushed aside by the cage.

He should have seen you indicating, if I see a car ahead indicate I wait until they've done their lane change before I even think of going up past them since they've got lane change on their mind. Lane splitting is more a privelage than a right (or so I think) so why he got all wavy on you is probably down to the fact he rides a harley and he doesn't want to get issued a non-compliance with the stereotype. ;)

[MarkH]

He should have seen you indicating, if I see a car ahead indicate I wait until they've done their lane change before I even think of going up past them

+1

I wish all cars would indicate for at least 3 seconds before changing lanes, it would be nice to know what they intend to do so I can avoid being in an accident. They should make a law . . .

[Timmeh:P]

Agreed, If all cars indicated for at least 3 seconds it would be great! We definitely did, and still we almost collided.

Fact of the matter is, not all drivers do indicate for 3 seconds if at all... if you decide to lane split (and I have, and do) then you have to be prepared, split at a reasonable speed and be vigilant.

We did everything we could to check for a bike before making a lane change, especially as we ride that same stretch regularly. We could not see him as he was obscured by other vehicles.

[oneofsix]

+1

I wish all cars would indicate for at least 3 seconds before changing lanes, it would be nice to know what they intend to do so I can avoid being in an accident. They should make a law . . .

+1 however enforcing it might take resources from speed enforcement.:rolleyes:

[over5tayer]

I wish all cars would indicate for at least 3 seconds before changing lanes.


On my way to uni everyday (shore to city) i notice many cages taking the outside lanes on the harbour bridge and then cut over the lanes as they make their way south. If they do indicate (3 seconds +) into a gap then it usually gets closed by the cage thats been sitting in the heavier traffic. So the cheeky cages simply accelerate into gaps and indicate(about 2/3 of the time) as they change to make sure the gap stays open for them.

I wish that every cager would show their intentions but i personally think its a pipe dream - anticipating what the cager is gonna do next is half the fun anyways :corn:

[Swoop]

Had to have a great laugh over a scooterist filtering in 2a on Wednesday. Heading straight into the sun on the NW and sitting right between two cars was the scooter. No intention to speed up as s/he seemed quite happy to be the meat in a 2-sunblinded cager sandwitch.:(:rolleyes:

[Dave-]

real men filter/split with their hands on their hips steering the bike with their hips at +50kph cause it looks badass.

[cowpatz]

However, if, at the time of impact, there was no vehicle in the lane to the rider's right could it not be said that the rider was wholly within their own lane and not to the left of anybody?

I believe that this point has not been made clear.
YES you could.

[CookMySock]

real men filter/split with their hands on their hips steering the bike with their hips at +50kph cause it looks badass.16 y/o daughter rolls eyes and admonishes that this is emphatically not a "badass" look whatsoever! Cue roller blades? Hotpants?

[Seroom]

There would be a lot more motorcyclists commuting if the shoulders were dedicated to them at certain speed limits etc.

Perhaps this is where MAGNZ and BRONZ should come in and lobby for the right shoulder on the motorway when the traffic is doing less than 25kph. OR make it illegal not to pull over to the left of the lane and allow space for motorcyles to pass safely during peak traffic.

There are plenty of reasons why motorcycles should be encouraged. All to do with congestion, parking, pollution, fuel conservation, where and tear on the road surfaces, timekeeping at work, mental health (you never see a motorcyle outside a psychiatrist office). But you will never get any common sense out of lawmakers especialy where M'cycles are concerened. :facepalm:

[Toaster]

Perhaps this is where MAGNZ and BRONZ should come in and lobby for the right shoulder on the motorway when the traffic is doing less than 25kph.

Only if the council sweep it occasionally... its a puncture repairman's heaven.

The glass and metal fragments would destroy bike tyres.

[CookMySock]

[....] congestion, parking, pollution, fuel conservation, where and tear on the road surfaces, timekeeping at work, mental health (you never see a motorcyle outside a psychiatrist office). But you will never get any common sense out of lawmakers especialy where M'cycles are concerened. :facepalm:Of course not. What you will get is a knee-jerk reaction where they outlaw it completely. Then what?


Perhaps this is where MAGNZ and BRONZ should come in and lobby [....] No they should not. They should keep their beak out of it or else they will cause more harm than good.

There is only ONE REASON to fully legalise*(sic) filtering, and that is so motorcyclists will stop worrying about it. But you KNOW its not going to happen. What is more likely if we press the point, is the OPPOSITE will happen and we loose more than we gain. :facepalm:

Strongly suggest we DONT make any approaches to any organisation on it, and keep our nose clean and go do it and stop worrying.

*already legal

[hardy-DAYTONA]

Thanks for this! I've been looking for confirmation as to whether or not this is in fact legal.

Cheers!

[KiwiJohn]

But here's the thing I want to know (novice alert....sorry for the dumb question and the fact that it's kinda off the thread.....), how the heck do you ride in the cold AND wet when you wear glasses? Can't have the visor up cos of the rain, can't have it down cos of the fogging :( Have tried cat cr@p and either I'm not using it right, or it really is as good as its name! LOL

Had to stay in the traffic today cos of the rain - really couldn't see where I was going too well so I didn't dare scoot along inbetween the lanes. Really frustrating!! :mad:

You learn to see past the four layers of fog and road filth. Juggling the visor up and down depending on how bad things are getting, and keep your gloves clean of oil and grease so you can wipe your glasses - never wipe your visor with a glove unless desparate -you'l scratch it. soften your focus helps you ignore all the crap on all those surfaces. At times going faster helps - I find 120 km in pissing down weather often gives me absolutely clear vision when 100Km, or less leaves me blind as a bat. The extra breeze blows the visor clear of water. With clear vision I can cope with aqua-plaining with ease, but when I can't see too well I struggle to cope with even minor puddles. Iin urban areas though do the opposite and go slower cause car drivers cope badly with we weather - I thinkwindscreen wipers hypnotise them or something.
Remember a wet visor and glasses during a pissing down day usually provides more vision than a slightly damp night under city street lights, with on-comming headlights.
If in doubt, find a place to pull over way out of traffic. The worst riding day of my life was the day I got stuck between two trucks on the open road at 90km when a unexpected torrential squall hit us in the middle of the Hauraki plains. The day was bright and sunny previously.
In under 5 seconds visibility was down to the instrument cluster, and I couldn't pull over, or slow down cause I knew I had a truck up the proverbial, who probably couldn't see me, so I "relaxed" focused on feeling the balance (and road camber) and followed the most dense part of the wall of water in front of me - reasoning that going in the direction of least visibility that meant I was following the spray from the truck ahead, rather than unwittingly heading off-road. Praying of course the truck ahead would not stop.
Eventually the squall passed on. At the first opportunity I pulled over and used the paper towels I was carrying in a ziplock to dry my face, glasses and visor, and cleaned my head and tail lights.

[KiwiJohn]

+1

I wish all cars would indicate for at least 3 seconds before changing lanes, it would be nice to know what they intend to do so I can avoid being in an accident. They should make a law . . .

Well they don't you just need to learn to read their body language, eg. when turning or moving right driver seem to have a pressing need to look left, and vis versa - go figure!

Re splitting
I was got let of with a "warning" back as a learner in the early 80's having had the experience of lane "spliting" with two cars trying simultaneously occupy the space I was in. I was riding in the centre or the middle lane of three when the cars either side of me (and slightly ahead) both decided to enter my lane at the same time. Neither indicated. In any case I was traveling slightly faster than both and was ahead of thier rear axels when the began their entrapment procedure. Riding a donkey of a 250cc four stroke with a funky powerband that was more like that of a two stroke and not great brakes I chose to drop a couple of gears and go for the closing gap.
Some time later having avoiding being the jam in the sandwich I pulled up to a compulsary stop at a T-intersection and stood there shaking.
The bike cop who had been immediately behind me the whole time, did his thing, and proceeded to give me some sage words of advice once he realised that I was very much a novice: "don't forget to slow down after you've avoided the tin tops or I'll be obliged to give you a ticket next time". "you did good, I was expecting to need a spatula and a bucket." Those were indeed the old days when cops sometimes had sympathy for riders. apparently I had ended up doing 85 Km in a 50 km zone from a 40 km start. Pity he didn't ticket the two car drivers though for failing to indicate or look.

[mrchips]

At the first opportunity I pulled over and used the paper towels I was carrying in a ziplock to dry my face, glasses and visor, and cleaned my head and tail lights.

I would've used the paper towels for something else + change of underwear !

[stifmyster1]

Can someone please explain what happened to me and why.

I had just gotten on at tristram ave heading for aucks. as i crossed lanes i noticed several bikers (about 5) lane splitting. i let them pas before clipping on to the back. We went for about 500m before we past a motocop. 10seconds later i hear a siren and light flick behind me so i pull into the right hand lane (the fast lane) safely. He then yells at me to pass on the right hand side which is the fricken barrier. I just nodded. he then proceeds to pull into the middle lane 2 cars ahead of me and i can see him watching me in his mirrors. over the next 5 minutes 4 bikes go past him lane splitting and he doesnt do anything. All i can think of is he targeted me because I had a L plate and because i was indicating right when everyone else and hazards on (my bike dont got hazards).

Anyone else have something similar.

[DrunkenMistake]

All i can think of is he targeted me because I had a L plate and because i was indicating right when everyone else and hazards on (my bike dont got hazards).

Anyone else have something similar.

BOOM there is your answer. I wouldnt say he targeted you, more like made sure you didnt get yourself into a sticky situation as a learner, he was by the sounds of it more looking out for your best interests rather than targeting you.

IMO

[stifmyster1]

thats the weird thing. I was with a group. and travelling quite safely. If i was riding nervously then yea he should have stopped me but i wasnt. and he tells my to pass cars right up against the barrier. THe thing that sucks is i have to lane split. otherwise it would take me an hour possible more to get to my course instead of half an hour.

in all my time lane splitting i have had one close call. and that was when i took out someone mirror because the guy in the other lane decided that his massive van mirror should occupy the same space as my head. so i accelerated to get past and my handle bar just clipped the guys mirror. and the guy had no problem once i explained what happened. that was my second week of riding. and i learnt not to go in the middle lane of the harbour bridge. never had any problems since. not even from people changing lanes.

the event had me wanting to take off the L plate but not to keen on the fine and demerit points.

[DrunkenMistake]

thats the weird thing. I was with a group. and travelling quite safely. If i was riding nervously then yea he should have stopped me but i wasnt. and he tells my to pass cars right up against the barrier. THe thing that sucks is i have to lane split. otherwise it would take me an hour possible more to get to my course instead of half an hour.

in all my time lane splitting i have had one close call. and that was when i took out someone mirror because the guy in the other lane decided that his massive van mirror should occupy the same space as my head. so i accelerated to get past and my handle bar just clipped the guys mirror. and the guy had no problem once i explained what happened. that was my second week of riding. and i learnt not to go in the middle lane of the harbour bridge. never had any problems since. not even from people changing lanes.

the event had me wanting to take off the L plate but not to keen on the fine and demerit points.

Rip it off and put it under the seat, if you get pulled up say you were parked outside the mall and some toss pot had ripped it off and thrown it on the gorund, then show the plate, and show where it was ripped.

[stifmyster1]

that only works once usually ad only if ya get i nice cop.

[Latte]

Can someone please explain what happened to me and why.

I had just gotten on at tristram ave heading for aucks. as i crossed lanes i noticed several bikers (about 5) lane splitting. i let them pas before clipping on to the back. We went for about 500m before we past a motocop. 10seconds later i hear a siren and light flick behind me so i pull into the right hand lane (the fast lane) safely. He then yells at me to pass on the right hand side which is the fricken barrier. I just nodded. he then proceeds to pull into the middle lane 2 cars ahead of me and i can see him watching me in his mirrors. over the next 5 minutes 4 bikes go past him lane splitting and he doesnt do anything. All i can think of is he targeted me because I had a L plate and because i was indicating right when everyone else and hazards on (my bike dont got hazards).

Anyone else have something similar.

If you were on the right hand side of the white line as you were splitting you are technically passing on the left, which is a no no in the road code. That could be why he said pass on the right.

Also I notice a few riders who ride up the left of the onramp at tristram in the morning (myself included occasionally) - he could have been giving you an earful for that.

[stifmyster1]

he was already on the motorway when i got on. he was about 500 metres past tristram ave. Riding up the left. Wow. never seen that. i ride up the centre of tristram then get as far right as possible.

Oh and if he was complaining about that it isnt very fair. Ive noticed people seem to stick closer to the right line cause the can see exactly where there tires are. which means 90% of the time there is no space to the right and have no choice but to ride up the left of the next lane.

they need to make bus lanes fine. i mean there a whole seperate motorway up here in certain parts of aucks.

[DrunkenMistake]

that only works once usually ad only if ya get i nice cop.
So long is your attitude is in check you wont have a problem, plus if you dont do anything retarded you wont get pulled over

[Latte]

he was already on the motorway when i got on. he was about 500 metres past tristram ave. Riding up the left. Wow. never seen that. i ride up the centre of tristram then get as far right as possible.

Oh and if he was complaining about that it isnt very fair. Ive noticed people seem to stick closer to the right line cause the can see exactly where there tires are. which means 90% of the time there is no space to the right and have no choice but to ride up the left of the next lane.

they need to make bus lanes fine. i mean there a whole seperate motorway up here in certain parts of aucks.

Yep I couldn't split in the mornings without crossing the white line. But thems the rules.

Anyway, be thankful you didn't get a ticket, and next time squeeze in the middle of the queue ;) (just not in front of me haha). Joking of course.

[stifmyster1]

yea. normally try and ride with a group or just near another biker. followed i really nice sounding GSX-r today. attempted to keep up on the streets but not a chance. especially when the lights change on ya

[R-Soul]

Can someone please explain what happened to me and why.

I had just gotten on at tristram ave heading for aucks. as i crossed lanes i noticed several bikers (about 5) lane splitting. i let them pas before clipping on to the back. We went for about 500m before we past a motocop. 10seconds later i hear a siren and light flick behind me so i pull into the right hand lane (the fast lane) safely. He then yells at me to pass on the right hand side which is the fricken barrier. I just nodded. he then proceeds to pull into the middle lane 2 cars ahead of me and i can see him watching me in his mirrors. over the next 5 minutes 4 bikes go past him lane splitting and he doesnt do anything. All i can think of is he targeted me because I had a L plate and because i was indicating right when everyone else and hazards on (my bike dont got hazards).

Anyone else have something similar.

I think you might have missed the point completely. He may have been telling you to pass on teh right hand side of teh lane - which is legal. Passing a car to the left of it in the same lane is illgeal - unless those cars are stopped. Practically speaking though, its almost impossible to do this, as cars ride to the right of their lanes to see the traffic ahead. He might have been riding in front of you to demonstrate how - but I dont think you were paying attention to what he was doing....

[Ender EnZed]

Can someone please explain what happened to me and why.

Either he was picking on you because he personally dislikes you OR you were identifiably different from all the other motorcyclists he didn't yell at. It could be purely becasue of your L plate but there's a good chance it was due to your riding.


in all my time lane splitting i have had one close call.

All 2 months? Hitting a mirror with your bar is very close to hitting it with your front brake.

[DrunkenMistake]

All 2 months? Hitting a mirror with your bar is very close to hitting it with your front brake.

I have never seen it, but my boss was telling me when he was a fella my age in South Africa he had a scrambler and he managed to catch his front brake on a car at about 130km + I cant remember for sure, it was possibly more I think their speed limit is 120, but he told me it sent him through the air and down the road a fair distance after a few flips in the air.

All I gotta say, is FUCK THAT. I dont filter unless im certain there is ALOT of room, mind you Dunedin isnt to bad for traffic.

[stifmyster1]

ok. the cop was not demonstrating anything. he was riding in the centre of the lane afterwards.

Agree with you rsoul about the very hard to pass on the right especially when i was in the fast lane at the time.

I am 100% certain that my riding wasnt any different to the others. Im sure it was cause I had an L plate and he was just making sure i was aware.

Oh. and about the mirror thing. there was plenty of room when i started that lane split. as i got about half way and almost parralel with the vans mirror he started moving left towards me (it was my clutch side that took out the cars mirror)

Ive got what i wanted out of this thread. im sure the cop was just looking out for me because of the L plate and i mis-understood his message.

[Rocket]

Everyone including the cops needs to take a trip to bangkok, watch and learn. Then calm the fuck down. Too many god dam rules. riding bikes in bangkok the only law is, if it's bigger than you, give way, or die. Simple really. Weeds out the retards really fast.
:)

[bingslayer]

hey guys I started filtering for the first time yesterday on my daily commute since i got my Loser plate. Have been putting it off for a few weeks but finally thought stuff it and went for it. I now only filter at the lights and when I know I will get to the front before the light turns green, which means I actually lose out on a lot of opportunities.

So my question is what do I do if im mid way through the que and the lights turn green?I have been trying to watch what other bikers do but I havnt seen the situation occur yet.

[stifmyster1]

Im not sure if there is a proper way. But I personally sit in the lane indicate in which ever lane has the most space and slowly peel in. Usually the car behind lets you in.

The way I think of it is your jumping from gap to gap so at any point you could rejoin the lane. Instead of your own little lane in the centre.

[mossy1200]

hey guys I started filtering for the first time yesterday on my daily commute since i got my Loser plate. Have been putting it off for a few weeks but finally thought stuff it and went for it. I now only filter at the lights and when I know I will get to the front before the light turns green, which means I actually lose out on a lot of opportunities.

So my question is what do I do if im mid way through the que and the lights turn green?I have been trying to watch what other bikers do but I havnt seen the situation occur yet.

merge in softly apply lube.

or follow road code diagram

[Alexofbbulgaria]

OK, so I read in the road code and got a question like this on my learners theory test. The Road code says that you must stay in the centre of your lane. . . . This seems like no fun and over the years have seen many motorbikes weave between the traffic when all the cars were dead still, I used to envy them so much hahaha. So back to my question, Is it Illegal to weave between cars or just frowned upon? If it is illegal is this rule often enforced, like if you do this past a police officer are you likely to be pulled over?

Thanks in advance for your responses

[mikemike104]

I think what you are thinking of is referred to as filtering, I do it often.. slowly.

I believe this is legal as long as you can stay to the right of the vehicle you are passing and remain in the same lane.

Get spotted by police for excessive speed, or have an accident and you’re screwed because it’ll turn into a shit fight.

[f2dz]

There's a post around here somewhere with detailed information about the legality of it all, but I'm not gonna be one of those people who spout on about using the search. Even though you probably should. :P

As far as I know, it's legal, as previously mentioned, to pass within the lane on the right side of the vehicle. Now sometimes this can be a bit sketchy as a lot of cars tend to drive more to the right side of their lane than the left.

I ride from Manukau to the CBD for work and I split if the traffic slows down below 50km/h. I try to pass on the right side of cars in the middle lane but even that gets a bit hairy sometimes. If it gets too tight on the right side of a car I'll usually just wait for a slight gap to open on my right before moving into that lane, then back into the middle lane where I overtake/split.

Be advised though, at such low speed and traffic confestion driver's are always looking for gaps and ways to get ahead, just like you are. So always be wary of that and try to think ahead. Watch people's tires and if there's a gap beside a car, just assume they could take it at any time. So your options are to either quickly accelerate past them or sit back and wait.

As for the cops, I passed a bunch this morning for the first time and I was passing on the left side of cars when they were either stopped or just slightly rolling, and none of the cops seemed to mind. I also had another rider beep at me to move over, then beeped thanking me once I did. I'm guessing he was a more experienced rider than me but I still wouldn't split faster than the speed I do now. The faster you go the less room for error there is.

[Alexofbbulgaria]

There's a post around here somewhere with detailed information about the legality of it all, but I'm not gonna be one of those people who spout on about using the search. Even though you probably should. :P

Thanks for the information :) I did try to search but I did not know the correct term for it and ended up reading through a few pages of threads till I decided I would just ask.

Sweet knowing that you have done it past cop cars makes me feel more at ease on this subject

[caspernz]

Use a bit of common sense, keep your differential speed at a sensible level, and 99% of the time it's not an issue, legalities aside. Yes, I've gone past numerous police cars over the years in this way, no dramas, but I'm quite relaxed and decisive.

If the traffic is moving slow, I'll split lane. If the traffic has a decent speed I'll just stay in my lane...

In stationary traffic I'll only sneak thru the traffic to the front of the queue at lights if I reckon I can get to the head of the queue before the green arrives...

[FJRider]

Sweet knowing that you have done it past cop cars makes me feel more at ease on this subject

Not all cops are created equal ... if they consider it is/was dangerous ... they will let you know. :yes:

They dont even need to stop you ... just a letter in the mail ... :eek5:

[Swoop]

Yup, search for "filtering" or "lane splitting".

Keep a good look out ahead of you and also check your mirrors regularly (every few seconds). Another bike may catch up with you and it is nice to move over to let them through.
If you get "beeped" at, you are being a pain in the arse and really need to move over.

[FJRider]

If you get "beeped" at, you are being a pain in the arse and really need to move over.

And no matter how much care you take to do it safely ... some drivers wont like it. And they may even take action, that may not be entirely safe for you (understatement) ... car vs motorbike usually ends badly for the motorbike.

[CUMBRIAN]

i have recently passed my test in uk and was taught too filter and had todo it in one of my practical test . jst pass with care and dont speed and keep your eyes wide open . stay safe

[willytheekid]

One of the most dangerous things you can do on bike!...it quite often catches new riders out.

If your gonna filter...as many others here have said...KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AND DONT SPEED

Seriously, if you ride fast and "Blind" through slow or stationary traffic...your gonna have a short life, car vs bike...there is only ever one winner.:(

And as for "The Road code says that you must stay in the centre of your lane"...Pffft, yeah right!, own your lane!, move around to get the best positioning and to remain visable to other traffic, and watch out for that centre of the lane, oil & desiel can build up on some parts of the road, and theres lots of nice slippery white paint in the form of arrows etc to keep an eye out for....always think about positioning to keep yourself save, visiable and upright! ;)

...best advice I ever got in 30yrs of riding..."go to rider training!" :msn-wink:

Ride Safe Alex

[Phantom Limb]

Just keep your speed low (20-40KPh max) and stay sharp, as mentioned cages will switch lanes without indicators almost every time when they're creeping along for some reason :scratch:

If you do notice a bike behind you trying to push you along and force you to go faster F**k em'... If they want to fly between stationary traffic at 60KPh then slowing them down will keep them alive longer, also flying between traffic like a retard gives ALL bikers a bad name, it's only a matter of time before cagers start opening their doors in front of us! Be safe and don't be a squid. :2thumbsup

[Tigadee]

And as for "The Road code says that you must stay in the centre of your lane"...Pffft, yeah right!, own your lane!, move around to get the best positioning and to remain visable to other traffic, and watch out for that centre of the lane, oil & desiel can build up on some parts of the road, and theres lots of nice slippery white paint in the form of arrows etc to keep an eye out for....

At the end of my restricted test, the tester reminded me to stay off the centre of the lane.

Alex - When moving on the motorway, I prefer to be on the right-of-centre when on the left-most lane and just left-of-centre on the right-most/overtaking lane. The latter because there will be a lot of cars wanting to switch into the fast/overtaking lane and they will more likely see you (if they bother to check) in the wing mirror if you're there at left-of-centre.

[f2dz]

In stationary traffic I'll only sneak thru the traffic to the front of the queue at lights if I reckon I can get to the head of the queue before the green arrives...

This caught me out recently over the weekend. I usually roll up to intersections, observe which phase is currently moving, then split to the front if I can tell our lights won't be going green for a bit. But the turning traffic had a short phase and the traffic started moving with me in between cars. Scary moment, but that's always something to be mindful of too. If in doubt, just sit behind the cars.

I've only been riding for a few weeks but I'm learning more and more that you should trust your gut. If something feels wrong or you feel like you're riding out of your comfort zone it means you probably are.

[Swoop]

And no matter how much care you take to do it safely ... some drivers wont like it. And they may even take action, that may not be entirely safe for you (understatement) ... car vs motorbike usually ends badly for the motorbike.
Was referring to another bike coming up behind. There seems to be a few slow wobblers filtering at the moment.

[p.dath]

The Wiki has the relevant legal articles are references:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Category:Motorcycle_Laws

[f2dz]

Was referring to another bike coming up behind. There seems to be a few slow wobblers filtering at the moment.

What's your definition of slow though? I got beeped doing about 40 through stopped traffic, the guy who passed was doing around 60/70 :X

[Phantom Limb]

What's your definition of slow though? I got beeped doing about 40 through stopped traffic, the guy who passed was doing around 60/70 :X

I've had this too. you should be going pretty damn slow when splitting, to go faster than 40KPh is getting on the sketchy side, I don't care how long you've been riding, it's plain daft!

I reckon we riders need to be self policing to a minor extent, cops probably leave lane filtering riders alone because it's impossible to pull them over without endangering someone, so if riders insist on going like a bat outa' hell between slow traffic, we really need to let them know that it's not right. As I said before cagers hate us anyway, no need to make it worse by flying past them like a human cruise missile. The more riders that speed, the less often cagers will pull over and let us through.

[Swoop]

What's your definition of slow though? I got beeped doing about 40 through stopped traffic, the guy who passed was doing around 60/70 :X
"Slow" is when you have another bike behind you wanting to pass (hence the comment about checking mirrors regularly).

I have had a scooter behind me and happily pulled in to let him/her pass and I don't normally hang about when filtering...

Attention should be 95/5 ahead/behind as that is where the danger is. You will learn to "read" traffic over time. Certain telltale signs are there, and other times the car drivers will do something entirely unexpected.

[Maha]

OK, so I read in the road code and got a question like this on my learners theory test. The Road code says that you must stay in the centre of your lane. . . . This seems like no fun and over the years have seen many motorbikes weave between the traffic when all the cars were dead still, I used to envy them so much hahaha. So back to my question, Is it Illegal to weave between cars or just frowned upon? If it is illegal is this rule often enforced, like if you do this past a police officer are you likely to be pulled over?

Thanks in advance for your responses

...when there is nothing to filter through/passed/around/under.

EDIT: Is this like a wave thread where merging is applied?

[f2dz]

I've had this too. you should be going pretty damn slow when splitting, to go faster than 40KPh is getting on the sketchy side, I don't care how long you've been riding, it's plain daft!

I reckon we riders need to be self policing to a minor extent, cops probably leave lane filtering riders alone because it's impossible to pull them over without endangering someone, so if riders insist on going like a bat outa' hell between slow traffic, we really need to let them know that it's not right. As I said before cagers hate us anyway, no need to make it worse by flying past them like a human cruise missile. The more riders that speed, the less often cagers will pull over and let us through.

Not a bad idea, but I don't think the guys splitting at excessive speeds give a stuff.


"Slow" is when you have another bike behind you wanting to pass (hence the comment about checking mirrors regularly).

I have had a scooter behind me and happily pulled in to let him/her pass and I don't normally hang about when filtering...

Attention should be 95/5 ahead/behind as that is where the danger is. You will learn to "read" traffic over time. Certain telltale signs are there, and other times the car drivers will do something entirely unexpected.

As long as the rider behind flashes or beeps I have no problem letting them pass. Just don't get bent outta shape when you sit there for 5-10 secs and I don't see you because I'm trying not to end up over someone's bonnet.

[Berries]

Just keep your speed low (20-40KPh max) and stay sharp, as mentioned cages will switch lanes without indicators almost every time when they're creeping along for some reason :scratch:
As we know, bikes indicate every time they change lanes.


If you do notice a bike behind you trying to push you along and force you to go faster F**k em'... If they want to fly between stationary traffic at 60KPh then slowing them down will keep them alive longer,
If you are holding someone up move over, simple as that. It doesn't matter what vehicle or what speed, like a stationary car, you are an impediment. Shit or get off the toilet is the phrase I think.

[Phantom Limb]

If you are holding someone up move over, simple as that. It doesn't matter what vehicle or what speed, like a stationary car, you are an impediment. Shit or get off the toilet is the phrase I think.

So some twat comes up behind me doing mach 1 between stationary traffic. I let him past with a wave and he fucks off up the traffic que scaring the crap out of every cager from here all the way to my exit.

Then along I come, being the good boy and not going too fast....oh but whats this? Now every angry motherfucker stuck in traffic is looking in their wing mirror waiting for another one of those "bastard bikers" to come by. Oh and guess what? Suddenly the gaps between the cars close up and every second car is touching wing mirrors, my morning commute just went to hell!

This exact scenario happens every second friggin time I let some squid go by me!
So thanks for the input, I know what you mean, but fucked if I'm moving over any more :mad:

[oneofsix]

So some twat comes up behind me doing mach 1 between stationary traffic. I let him past with a wave and he fucks off up the traffic que scaring the crap out of every cager from here all the way to my exit.

Then along I come, being the good boy and not going too fast....oh but whats this? Now every angry motherfucker stuck in traffic is looking in their wing mirror waiting for another one of those "bastard bikers" to come by. Oh and guess what? Suddenly the gaps between the cars close up and every second car is touching wing mirrors, my morning commute just went to hell!

This exact scenario happens every second friggin time I let some squid go by me!
So thanks for the input, I know what you mean, but fucked if I'm moving over any more :mad:

Those cages were going to do that to you anyhow, they probably tried it with the squid. The only difference being you have now become one of them, part of the problem. You don't get to decide how someone else drives or rides, you only get to show them how it should be done or talk about it. :Police: is the enforcer.

[f2dz]

Was splitting through traffic this morning and I suddenly saw a cop on two wheels riding with the traffic. I slowly passed him and merged in a couple cars up. After 30 seconds or so I continued splitting cos stopping and starting with cars either side scares the crap outta me more than splitting does.

Anyone had a run in with a cop on a motorcycle following them and pulling them up while splitting?

[Phantom Limb]

Those cages were going to do that to you anyhow, they probably tried it with the squid. The only difference being you have now become one of them, part of the problem. You don't get to decide how someone else drives or rides, you only get to show them how it should be done or talk about it. :Police: is the enforcer.

Normally I rarely have an issue with traffic closing me out. However after I've let squiddy fly by, it's close down city!

[GrayWolf]

As we know, bikes indicate every time they change lanes.


If you are holding someone up move over, simple as that. It doesn't matter what vehicle or what speed, like a stationary car, you are an impediment. Shit or get off the toilet is the phrase I think.

No, the 'impediment' is riding the bike trying to force its way past you.,,, I'd also point out that any manouver (changing lanes, entering a gap, etc) requires the process to be done in a safe and courteous manner. Riding up behind me will receive the same 'treatment' that PL has, I'll move over WHEN its safe for ME to do so, and honking, revving, hooting verbal 'encouragements', will have the reverse psychology effect on this rider.

[oneofsix]

No, the 'impediment' is riding the bike trying to force its way past you.,,, I'd also point out that any manouver (changing lanes, entering a gap, etc) requires the process to be done in a safe and courteous manner. Riding up behind me will receive the same 'treatment' that PL has, I'll move over WHEN its safe for ME to do so, and honking, revving, hooting verbal 'encouragements', will have the reverse psychology effect on this rider.

No problem with you moving over when it is safe for you to do so. Agreed rudeness for the rear has the reverse affect, it does what it is designed to do, it breaks your concentration making it harder to spot the gap, not what they intend it to do. A light tap on the horn to make you aware of their presence is survivable.
I thought PL was talking about not moving over even when safe just because he see the squid as causing the cages to react badly.

[Swoop]

Anyone had a run in with a cop on a motorcycle following them and pulling them up while splitting?
Nope. Have, however, been part of a "train" of about six bikes all splitting along behind the leader... who was riding a police bike!:niceone:
We were happily travelling along in 2a and making good time, as well.

[caseye]

Drivers do react badly when they have the crap scarred outa them by fuckwits on motorbikes that "DO" do 100Kph between them when they're moving at a snails pace.
Who can blame them, these idiots could split/filter quietly and calmly but Oh No they are in a hurry and to hell with anyone else, that includes those of the riding fraternity who do have to follow through lines of cars with drivers put on edge by arseholes who simply can't keep their throttles under control and split courteously without scarring the shit outa people in cars.
This is more and more noticeable of recent times, worse I'm seeing jerk offs with P plates doing it too and thinking it's cool. I wish I could find the prick who told them to do it like this.
Once again, our behaviour on two wheels dictates how we are treated by other motorists, some amongst us are simply too arrogant and blind to see that and worse could not give a flying fuck about anyone else but themselves.
The Law is going to put a stop to filtering/splitting soon if we continue to condone these F.Wits making us all look like horned demon riders from hell.

[oneofsix]

Drivers do react badly when they have the crap scarred outa them by fuckwits on motorbikes that "DO" do 100Kph between them when they're moving at a snails pace.
Who can blame them, these idiots could split/filter quietly and calmly but Oh No they are in a hurry and to hell with anyone else, that includes those of the riding fraternity who do have to follow through lines of cars with drivers put on edge by arseholes who simply can't keep their throttles under control and split courteously without scarring the shit outa people in cars.
This is more and more noticeable of recent times, worse I'm seeing jerk offs with P plates doing it too and thinking it's cool. I wish I could find the prick who told them to do it like this.
Once again, our behaviour on two wheels dictates how we are treated by other motorists, some amongst us are simply too arrogant and blind to see that and worse could not give a flying fuck about anyone else but themselves.
The Law is going to put a stop to filtering/splitting soon if we continue to condone these F.Wits making us all look like horned demon riders from hell.

P plates? wtf is a P plate?
It was probably some cager what told them it was cool to do. Wished I had a $ for every cager that has said something along the lines of bikes don't get held up in traffic as they can just split. Gives an expectation that splitting at full speed is the way to ride.

[caseye]

Op's showing me age there, I meant an L plate.
You are right most car drivers have an expectation that people on bikes are going to split/filter because they can.
They just don't expect huge carbon Fibre cans and warp nine speeds when they're sitting still or nearly stopped and those horned devils scream past them at over 70 K's or more.
Nor do they appreciate it and this is what turns them into bike hating maniacs that do , close the gaps when they see any! bike coming.
LOL yes that $1.00 for everytime would mean we could ride anything aye.

[oneofsix]

Op's showing me age there, I meant an L plate.
You are right most car drivers have an expectation that people on bikes are going to split/filter because they can.
They just don't expect huge carbon Fibre cans and warp nine speeds when they're sitting still or nearly stopped and those horned devils scream past them at over 70 K's or more.
Nor do they appreciate it and this is what turns them into bike hating maniacs that do , close the gaps when they see any! bike coming.
LOL yes that $1.00 for everytime would mean we could ride anything aye.

yes anything, anytime :cool:
10 - 15 k above the speed of the queue is fast enough to get through the blind spots but slow enough to react should a cage change lanes unexpectedly. I also split with the view that the cage changing lanes has right of way, not me because I am doing the unusual or unexpected.

[Phantom Limb]

Generally you're only lane splitting when the traffic is going slow (20-30KPh), so when the traffic gets moving again, of course I'm going to be merging back in with the que.

Squid rings on the other hand, he'll lane split when traffic is doing 80KPh! So when I merge with the moving traffic, off he shoots on his merry way. So I'm not exactly creating a 'road block' for other lane splitters. I'm just not prepared to go out of my way to let the bugger through if the traffic is nearly standstill.

[f2dz]

Nope. Have, however, been part of a "train" of about six bikes all splitting along behind the leader... who was riding a police bike!:niceone:
We were happily travelling along in 2a and making good time, as well.

Haha, that sounds awesome. I should've tried to coax that coppa into doing the same for me to help me get to work on time.


yes anything, anytime :cool:
10 - 15 k above the speed of the queue is fast enough to get through the blind spots but slow enough to react should a cage change lanes unexpectedly. I also split with the view that the cage changing lanes has right of way, not me because I am doing the unusual or unexpected.

Haven't had any close calls splitting yet, but that's a good thing to keep in mind. Also to cool ya jets if one does end up changing into you because after all, you are sorta coming outta nowhere and creeping up on em. Just be ready to react to anything, the whole reason you go slow and not mach 1.

[caseye]

Your';e onto it! No one is saying. DON'T LANE SPLIT. Just that if you do it with some consideration it'll work much better for you with the general public and the poo poo's.
Glad for a change to see that most people on a thread are apparently on the same page.
Reasonable speed while splitting is accepted by most other motorists, stupid speeds and splitting while traffic is moving at highway speeds is considered dangerous and the rest of us get tarred with the same damned brush.
Not a good look and totally counter productive to the overall objective of keeping on keeping on with a practice that while not totally legal is allowed by most enforcement types simply because the bad eggs haven't crashed yet while stirring public opinion against all other bikers.

[st00ji]

everyone going slower than me is a wobbler / nana. anyone going faster is a squid / mental.

[FROSTY]

This caught me out recently over the weekend. I usually roll up to intersections, observe which phase is currently moving, then split to the front if I can tell our lights won't be going green for a bit. But the turning traffic had a short phase and the traffic started moving with me in between cars. Scary moment, but that's always something to be mindful of too. If in doubt, just sit behind the cars.
I've only been riding for a few weeks but I'm learning more and more that you should trust your gut. If something feels wrong or you feel like you're riding out of your comfort zone it means you probably are.
Could I suggest tou you that if you have only been riding a few weeks that lane splitting isn't recommended. You just haven't got the experience yet to be able to preempt a situation.
With lane splitting I genuinely feel its a case of avoiding a situation before its about to happen -by the time its at the "reaction" stage its often too late.
Its not for me to tell you what to do but do concider it

[FJRider]

Haven't had any close calls splitting yet, but that's a good thing to keep in mind. Also to cool ya jets if one does end up changing into you because after all, you are sorta coming outta nowhere and creeping up on em. Just be ready to react to anything, the whole reason you go slow and not mach 1.

I know of plenty that have lane-split for years with no issues. And then somebody either makes a little mistake ... a little error of judgement ... or just a small act of aggression. Then there's blood on the road. :doctor:


everyone going slower than me is a wobbler / nana. anyone going faster is a squid / mental.

Ahhhh ... you've reached the perfection in motorcycling stage. Where everywhere you go is at the perfectly chosen, safe speed, for every occasion. Well done that man. :rolleyes:

[st00ji]

Ahhhh ... you've reached the perfection in motorcycling stage. Where everywhere you go is at the perfectly chosen, safe speed, for every occasion. Well done that man. :rolleyes:

sarcasm obviously lost in text here... but it was more an observation of peoples opinions than a statement of personal perfection - that is, most people tend to think of themselves as good / safe riders. hence, what i said is a prevailing attitude

[FROSTY]

I know of plenty that have lane-split for years with no issues. And then somebody either makes a little mistake ... a little error of judgement ... or just a small act of aggression. Then there's blood on the road. :doctor:
Yep and whereas an experienced rider will have accumulated the skills to at least minimise the affect someone with barely weeks of riding really has no chance.
Kinda like airline Pilots. They earn their money ALL their money in thge few seconds when things go wrong. In the other times you could likely have a chimp sitting at the controls.

[f2dz]

Could I suggest tou you that if you have only been riding a few weeks that lane splitting isn't recommended. You just haven't got the experience yet to be able to preempt a situation.
With lane splitting I genuinely feel its a case of avoiding a situation before its about to happen -by the time its at the "reaction" stage its often too late.
Its not for me to tell you what to do but do concider it

Cheers for the advice! I totally hear where you're coming from. I only split going quite slow, especially this morning in the fog. I get passed by pretty much every other motorcyclist splitting so that gives you an idea of the speed I go.

Because I'm splitting only after riding about a month now, I realise I am sorta jumping into the deep end a bit quick perhaps but that's how I usually end up learning new things. Plus not to mention, I didn't split the whole first week I rode in to work and it felt more dangerous doing that than splitting. The number of people who almost ran up the back of me was crazy. People don't give bikes enough room eh, especially when you have a target painted on the back of your bike, aka. an L plate.

[GrayWolf]

Cheers for the advice! I totally hear where you're coming from. I only split going quite slow, especially this morning in the fog. I get passed by pretty much every other motorcyclist splitting so that gives you an idea of the speed I go.

Because I'm splitting only after riding about a month now, I realise I am sorta jumping into the deep end a bit quick perhaps but that's how I usually end up learning new things. Plus not to mention, I didn't split the whole first week I rode in to work and it felt more dangerous doing that than splitting. The number of people who almost ran up the back of me was crazy. People don't give bikes enough room eh, especially when you have a target painted on the back of your bike, aka. an L plate.

I understand you feel you 'learn' by jumping in the deep end. However, this 'learning curve' can and likely could' end with 'painful lessons'. 1 month on the road, please understand you as yet know 'jack shit' about 'roadcraft/reading the road/imagining the possible behaviours of any other fucktard on the highway. Someone nearly rear ending you would feel 'scary' and lane splitting may seem safer, it's actually THE MOST hazardous (should be)< low speed driving you will do....
Take care :cool:

[aquahort]

1. Ride no faster than 20kph than the cars, I usually don't pass over 70 kph on a motorway.
2. Pass cars as they brake, and you pass at double the speed.
3. Extreme caution passing trucks, one mistake and you are dead.
4. Give your eyes & head a break after passing 10 to 30 cars, pull in for a couple of minutes. Lane splitting gives you tunnel vision.
5. Extreme caution when pulling out to lane split as other bikes could be right up your bum, use your mirrors all the time.
6. Cover all your brakes, but as a other has said in an emergency better to go for a gap.
7. Lane splitting extreme caution in streets, especially coming to side roads, cars will stop to let a car in, while you pass into it!
8. Look at the car drivers eyes in their mirror, note where they are looking.
9. Always give a friendly wave to a car that pulls over.
10. Keep in a lower gear, better to have a little more noise, cars can hear you but most important use engine braking to slow.
11. Remember modern sport brakes have massive stopping power below 40kph so use one finger or rear brake so no front wheel washout.
12. Don't push your luck, by passing a cop while lane splitting, to discover whether lane splitting is legal or not!

Regards from a Hayabusa rider

[swbarnett]

12. Don't push your luck, by passing a cop while lane splitting, to discover whether lane splitting is legal or not!
I've lost count of the number of cops I've passed. They don't care as long as you're not being a dick.

[Phantom Limb]

I've lost count of the number of cops I've passed. They don't care as long as you're not being a dick.


I go past a cop station to work, so I split past at LEAST two cops a day, usually up to 5 if the traffic is really bad. I have split past cops and had them pull up next to me at the lights down the next off ramp immediately afterwards, in one situation I even had a cop wind down his window and say good morning, so correct lane splitting is not going to get you booked by the fuzz.

[Kendog]

so correct lane splitting is not going to get you booked by the fuzz.
Except when they decide to give you a ticket.

[f2dz]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but I have a question, and I know how uptight people get when you make new threads about this, so..

Situation: You're lane splitting and a car ahead changes lanes suddenly, they don't indicate for three seconds, and knock you off. I'd assume, legally, so long as you're overtaking vehicles within their lane on their right, you're in the clear?

If you're overtaking vehicles on their left I'd assume you're also in the clear if you get hit, and they didn't sufficiently indicate?

And finally, I'd asume that where this buck stops is that if they were indicating for three seconds and knocked you off, then you're in the wrong, and also an idiot.

[Phantom Limb]

Either way I think that if you're between the traffic, you are going to get ruled against in an insurance claim situation, just make sure you have a decent policy :msn-wink:
It is too easy for them to say that you were on the wrong side of the line, it's also too hard for you to prove otherwise.

One thing that has been doing wonders for me with regard to lane changers that don't indicate (which is every second vehicle), is that I watch the front wheels of the cars as I'm splitting. Not the indicators, not the wing mirrors, but the front wheels. They are the first component to show the body language of the driver and I can now judge quite well when a car is going to make a lane change. Try it out, it takes some practice but it really does work well. Just look for the 'waggle' and you'll know that that bugger is planning to jump.

[oneofsix]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but I have a question, and I know how uptight people get when you make new threads about this, so..

Situation: You're lane splitting and a car ahead changes lanes suddenly, they don't indicate for three seconds, and knock you off. I'd assume, legally, so long as you're overtaking vehicles within their lane on their right, you're in the clear?

If you're overtaking vehicles on their left I'd assume you're also in the clear if you get hit, and they didn't sufficiently indicate?

And finally, I'd asume that where this buck stops is that if they were indicating for three seconds and knocked you off, then you're in the wrong, and also an idiot.

Don't assume you ever have the right when lane splitting.
I was caught in a similar situation with one, maybe, important difference. Lane splitting, a gap opens in the left lane, indicate and move into it at the same time a car suddenly moves from the right to the left without indicating. Guy in car behind in the left lane gave over his card as a witness. Went to insurance, no police involvement, the car that changed lanes insurance covered bike repairs and gear replacement and here I was expecting to have to cover him. As I see it the difference was down to who was indicating in that one single example and perhaps the attitudes of the witness and insurance companies which can not be relied on nor confirmed beyond speculation.

[Jantar]

...Situation: You're lane splitting and a car ahead changes lanes suddenly, they don't indicate for three seconds, and knock you off. I'd assume, legally, so long as you're overtaking vehicles within their lane on their right, you're in the clear?

An interesting one: If the car is ahead of you then they can't knock you off unless you run into them. So in this csae you are in the wrong for following too close. Failing to indicate a lane change didn't cause the accident, but may have contributed. If you were already in the clear space that they then moved into then you are not at fault and the other vehicle would be held to blame.


If you're overtaking vehicles on their left I'd assume you're also in the clear if you get hit, and they didn't sufficiently indicate?

This one is clear cut. You are in the wrong for overtaking on the left. End of story.


And finally, I'd asume that where this buck stops is that if they were indicating for three seconds and knocked you off, then you're in the wrong, and also an idiot.

Correct.

[Fatjim]

If you are on the right, you are right. When the driver changes lanes, he HAS TO MAKE SURE IT IS SAFE. If you are on his right he is wrong. the only exception might be if you were doing something outside the road rules, like speeding.

If you are on the left you are wrong, unless you are in a different lane, or if in the same lane he is overtaking you or has just over taken you. Otherwise you have no legal reason to be on his left.

These rules apply to lane splitting as well as other situations. This isn't complicated.

Rule one, when you make a maneuver, you are legally required to make sure it is safe.

[mylodon]

who can tell how long three seconds is, just before you got knocked off a bike?

[Berries]

Doesn't matter. If you have seen them indicate you have seen them indicate, one flash is all you need. If you are indicating assume they haven't seen it. Failing that, just count to twelve, divide by four and go faster.

[st00ji]

legalities aside i would expect most 'official' parties involved in such disputes to take a fairly dim view of a lane splitting biker claiming he was in the right. you can probably expect to have to fight not to be blamed.

splitting seems to be tolerated at best by most other road users, from my questioning of people in my life who dont ride its mainly down to a bit of jealousy i think - though disguised with various illogical 'reasoning' - but it seems to be the common attitude that its a bit dodgy / grey area.

people who cut in and out of traffic / do their best to go as fast as possible regardless of perceptions of other road users probably dont help either.

[FJRider]

This one is clear cut. You are in the wrong for overtaking on the left. End of story.

As long as you are not in the same lane (Where two or more lanes in the same direction are marked) as the vehicle you are overtaking ... it is permitted to overtake on the left of another vehicle.

And as you are allowed to overtake another vehicle without crossing the centerline .... if it is safe to do so.

[Jantar]

Read that post again Trev. He is describing overtaking on the left in the same lane.

[FJRider]

Either way I think that if you're between the traffic, you are going to get ruled against in an insurance claim situation, just make sure you have a decent policy :msn-wink:


It usually matters little in such cases of traffic infringement type accidents. Unless actually specified in the policy ... few insurance companies would refuse a claim in such an event. But it does pay to check the wording of any policy BEFORE you sign it.

[FJRider]

Read that post again Trev. He is describing overtaking on the left in the same lane.

My apologies ... :o

[James Deuce]

I've made a bit of a study of the potential benefits of filtering and lane-splitting since I've started riding again and have come to the conclusion that the big time-saving advantages come from filtering and lane-splitting is the refuge of the angry people who think that a tenth of a second is a long time in the scheme of things.

I keep getting overtaken by people lane splitting, only for me to filter up behind them at the next set of lights. I have no objection to lane-splitting, however I think it may be an unnecessary risk. If you then find yourself in front of me on a smaller capacity motorcycle I will quickly exceed any advantage you may have gained by lane-splitting as I leave you apparently standing once the lights turn green, without ever exceeding 4000rpm. Such is the smug arrogance of big-bore air-cooled torque.

[FJRider]

Such is the smug arrogance of big-bore air-cooled torque.

And it really pisses them off ... and I often go to the trouble to demonstrate it to a few cage pilots too ... :killingme

[Ocean1]

And finally, I'd asume that where this buck stops is that if they were indicating for three seconds and knocked you off, then you're in the wrong, and also an idiot.

The last thing on your mind when you're lying on the road bleeding will be who's fault it is legally. Who's fault it is physically is clearer: you're the one who gave someone else a shot at fucking up your day.


One thing that has been doing wonders for me with regard to lane changers that don't indicate (which is every second vehicle), is that I watch the front wheels of the cars as I'm splitting. Not the indicators, not the wing mirrors, but the front wheels. They are the first component to show the body language of the driver and I can now judge quite well when a car is going to make a lane change. Try it out, it takes some practice but it really does work well. Just look for the 'waggle' and you'll know that that bugger is planning to jump.

Watch the head too, even non-indicating drivers turn their head right at least a small amount before steering that way.

[FJRider]

The last thing on your mind when you're lying on the road bleeding will be who's fault it is legally. Who's fault it is physically is clearer: you're the one who gave someone else a shot at fucking up your day.

Been there ... done that ... I hate the sight of blood (especially my own)

Some judges/cops take a dim view of lane splitting too. Both/all parties may get the chance to explain their actions ... in court.


Watch the head too, even non-indicating drivers turn their head right at least a small amount before steering that way.


Sometimes ... :lol:



Sometimes nothing .... :blank:

[Ocean1]

I will quickly exceed any advantage you may have gained by lane-splitting as I leave you apparently standing once the lights turn green, without ever exceeding 4000rpm. Such is the smug arrogance of big-bore air-cooled torque.

What lights, mate?

And what time?

[swbarnett]

I've made a bit of a study of the potential benefits of filtering and lane-splitting since I've started riding again and have come to the conclusion that the big time-saving advantages come from filtering and lane-splitting is the refuge of the angry people who think that a tenth of a second is a long time in the scheme of things.
What city are you riding in?

I commute from Mairangi Bay to the Auckland CBD. It takes me 15-20 minutes as oppsed to over an hour if I stick with traffic.

[Jantar]

...I commute from Mairangi Bay to the Auckland CBD. It takes me 15-20 minutes as oppsed to over an hour if I stick with traffic.

I commute from Springvale to Clyde and it takes me 10 minutes by bike as opposed to 11 minutes by cage. What is this "traffic" you talk of? :rolleyes:

[James Deuce]

What lights, mate?

And what time?

You'll never know when I'll strike.

[Gareth123]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but I have a question, and I know how uptight people get when you make new threads about this, so..

Situation: You're lane splitting and a car ahead changes lanes suddenly, they don't indicate for three seconds, and knock you off. I'd assume, legally, so long as you're overtaking vehicles within their lane on their right, you're in the clear?

If you're overtaking vehicles on their left I'd assume you're also in the clear if you get hit, and they didn't sufficiently indicate?

And finally, I'd asume that where this buck stops is that if they were indicating for three seconds and knocked you off, then you're in the wrong, and also an idiot.

I once spoke to an officer of the law who said that lane splitting is legal as long as the other traffic is stationary. Once it begins to move, you must merge back in. Its on video somewhere IIRC.

Based on that officers comment, if your splitting in moving traffic and get hit, Its probably gonna be your fault.

[swbarnett]

I once spoke to an officer of the law who said that lane splitting is legal as long as the other traffic is stationary. Once it begins to move, you must merge back in. Its on video somewhere IIRC.
As long as your whole vehicle is still in the lane and you're to the right of the vehicle you're passing it's legal no matter what speed you or the other vehicle are doing.

[James Deuce]

What city are you riding in?

I commute from Mairangi Bay to the Auckland CBD. It takes me 15-20 minutes as oppsed to over an hour if I stick with traffic.

I thought it would have been obvious from the "location" shown in the top right of my post. Now that the sarcasm is out of the way, I ride into Wellington from Greytown which means the Rimutakas and SH2, through to Wellington. The main road through the Hutt isn't a motorway until the Ngauranga gorge and is plagued by traffic lights. So yes, my observation is completely biased by the road I use. I also leave at 6am, and get to Wellington between 6:50am and 7:00am and leave work at 4pm, so the traffic moves comparatively well.

When I were a lad and living in Auckland it used to take about 45 minutes off peak to get into the Auckland CBD from Mairangi Bay or Brown's Bay because the motorway started and finished at Sunset Rd. It used to take my 30 minutes to get to my job just off Wairau Rd from Brown's bay, so I think you don't know how lucky you are mate. You just don't know how lucky you are.

[swbarnett]

I thought it would have been obvious from the "location" shown in the top right of my post.
:doh:Must've been looking at someone else's location.


I ride into Wellington from Greytown which means the Rimutakas and SH2, through to Wellington. The main road through the Hutt isn't a motorway until the Ngauranga gorge and is plagued by traffic lights. So yes, my observation is completely biased by the road I use. I also leave at 6am, and get to Wellington between 6:50am and 7:00am and leave work at 4pm, so the traffic moves comparatively well.
Yeah, been down that way a few times and I know what you mean. Unless you're on a motorway splitting moving traffic doesn't make a lot of sense (although it's starting to in some parts of Auckland).


When I were a lad and living in Auckland it used to take about 45 minutes off peak to get into the Auckland CBD from Mairangi Bay or Brown's Bay because the motorway started and finished at Sunset Rd. It used to take my 30 minutes to get to my job just off Wairau Rd from Brown's bay, so I think you don't know how lucky you are mate. You just don't know how lucky you are.
Boy, that takes me back. I grew up in Magnere and remember the few times we drove over that way. When I started riding I commuted in to the CBD from Mangere. You're right, my commute now is shorter than it was then. I'd hate to try that commute now though.

[Ocean1]

You'll never know when I'll strike.

Fuck, that sounds ominous.

P’raps I orta go get myself some more of that there big-bore air-cooled torque.

[James Deuce]

Disconnect a radiator hose. :whistle:

[FJRider]

I once spoke to an officer of the law who said that lane splitting is legal as long as the other traffic is stationary. Once it begins to move, you must merge back in. Its on video somewhere IIRC.

Based on that officers comment, if your splitting in moving traffic and get hit, Its probably gonna be your fault.

The key to understanding it's legality ... is how lane-splitting is written, and described ... in Legislation.

[f2dz]

I don't really understand why there's no specific section of lane splitting/filtering in the road code.

When I started lane splitting I rode at around 30km/h max. That gradually built up to 60km/h before I almost hit a car, with it totally being my fault. I now ride 40km/h, second gear, with a lot of engine braking, and am very cautious to not place myself in any position to be potentially hit.

I usually get around two or so other riders passing me in the morning on the southern motorway heading northbound into the CBD though, even a crazed scooter rider who blasts through at what looks to be around 80km/h.

Lane splitting is the whole reason I got into riding in the first place. It's a faster way to get to work. A buddy of mine, who lives near me, leaves his place 30 minutes earlier than me to get to the same workplace and has to pay for parking on top of that. If I didn't filter it negates the whole reason for me to ride during the week.

I guess what I'm getting at is that it would be nice to have some clean cut wording in the road code to define the legality of splitting so you don't end up with a case of, "Well Mr Motorbike was wrong because he was doing something frowned upon." Most people here have been saying you'd be looked down on in any case, but why should that be if you were potentially in the right?

[Fatjim]

I've made a bit of a study of the potential benefits of filtering and lane-splitting since I've started riding again and have come to the conclusion that the big time-saving advantages come from filtering and lane-splitting is the refuge of the angry people who think that a tenth of a second is a long time in the scheme of things.

I keep getting overtaken by people lane splitting, only for me to filter up behind them at the next set of lights. I have no objection to lane-splitting, however I think it may be an unnecessary risk. If you then find yourself in front of me on a smaller capacity motorcycle I will quickly exceed any advantage you may have gained by lane-splitting as I leave you apparently standing once the lights turn green, without ever exceeding 4000rpm. Such is the smug arrogance of big-bore air-cooled torque.

I almost agree with you, however, the few times I have attempted to ride in heavy traffic I have found it more dangerous, as many idiots look for gaps in the cars, which they try and move into. Often, they don't look for a motorcysle in that gap, move over, and get supprised to see a motorcyclist leaning on their car blasting on the horn in an effort not to get squashin the centre barrier. I gave up after the second attempt at not lane splitting in rush hour.

[Swoop]

...it used to take about 45 minutes off peak to get into the Auckland CBD from Mairangi Bay or Brown's Bay because the motorway started and finished at Sunset Rd.
Jim, do you remember when the northern motorway ended at Tristram Ave? Perhaps you are younger than I thought...;)

[James Deuce]

Jim, do you remember when the northern motorway ended at Tristram Ave? Perhaps you are younger than I thought...;)
Yes. I used to go to work on the Weekends and in the Holidays with Dad when they started the extension. We once flattened all four tyres in a Mazda B200 ute doing a jump off the embankments that the overpass at Tristram Ave now spans. Apparently fencing staples will stand up and puncture tyres when you land on them hard. We got a lot of air that time. I remember my brother floating up past me, hitting the roof and then landing on my nuts when we crashed to earth.

[Swoop]

Ya bastard! I'm laughing out loud at that story.
I guess that the tyre shops would have been convenient in that area. Probably not open after midday on a Saturday though...



We got a lot of air that time. I remember my brother floating up past me, hitting the roof and then landing on my nuts when we crashed to earth.

[Fatjim]

. I remember my brother floating up past me, hitting the roof and then landing on my nuts when we crashed to earth.

Close family huh?

[James Deuce]

Bench seat in a '70s B2000 bro.

[steve_t]

Dredge ;)

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

[scumdog]

Pfft, pussies, try lane-splitting at 90+mph through shoulder to shoulder semi-trucks.

While riding a lardy arsed Harley Ultra-glide Classic laden with all the crap you 'need' on tour...

[roadracingoldfart]

Pfft, pussies, try lane-splitting at 90+mph through shoulder to shoulder semi-trucks.

While riding a lardy arsed Harley Ultra-glide Classic laden with all the crap you 'need' on tour...

Ahhhh the good old days aye Mr Scummy .

[Ocean1]

Pfft, pussies, try lane-splitting at 90+mph through shoulder to shoulder semi-trucks.

While riding a lardy arsed Harley Ultra-glide Classic laden with all the crap you 'need' on tour...

Meh. I've had to stop mid-overtake once, a ute pulled out from a field behind trees up ahead while I was passing a high-loader with a trailer. I had to duck in under the deck edge, right behind the truck's rear wheels. I was under there for a loooooooong time.

[BMWST?]

I have seen a motorcycle occupy the gap between truck and trailer in a similar situation

[pouakai]

I have seen a motorcycle occupy the gap between truck and trailer in a similar situation

Yup been there ! Good old days before HT was speed limited: after watching two loaded logging trucks truck dueling at 100mph(!) near Taupo I tried to overtake them on a bit tired RG250 - never made it past the tractor before was I obliged to pull in in front of his trailer - NOT A HAPPY MOMENT ! :eek:

[SNF]

Meh. I've had to stop mid-overtake once, a ute pulled out from a field behind trees up ahead while I was passing a high-loader with a trailer. I had to duck in under the deck edge, right behind the truck's rear wheels. I was under there for a loooooooong time.

Holy fuck! Would not want to screw that up.

[G4L4XY]

Oh fucking sweet, a cool video for me to watch at work, thanks guys!

[superjackal]

The reality is that Transit HATE motorcycles, and would very much like us banned completely. the last thing they would ever do is agree to something that might make bikes attractive to cagers.

Why do you say Transit hate motorcycles?

[Jantar]

Why do you say Transit hate motorcycles?

Ixion explained that very well in post you refer to.
The "bus lanes" .Transit claim, (though I think the claim dubious, and untested in law - just don't m'self to be the first to test it), that their "bylaws" override the general law about bus lanes, and that "their" buslanes are not really bus lanes at all, but rather the hard shoulder, and they have given buses (only) a specific dispensation to the law forbidding vehicles to use the hard shoulder.

The mere fact that they interpret the legislation in a different manner to what was intended and explained in parliament, and purely to the disadvantage of motorcyclists is a pretty good indicator. Add to that the excessive use of cheese cutters as median barriers, the over zealous application of yellow "no passing" lines in places where it would be quite safe for motorcycles to pass, the reduction of speed limits from 100 km/h to 80 km/h in places where it is deemed safer to limit the speeds of heavy vehicles while 100 km/h would still be acceptable, and often safer, for motorcycles (like the Kaikoura coast), and the evidence soon adds up.

[superjackal]

Ixion explained that very well in post you refer to.

The mere fact that they interpret the legislation in a different manner to what was intended and explained in parliament, and purely to the disadvantage of motorcyclists is a pretty good indicator. Add to that the excessive use of cheese cutters as median barriers, the over zealous application of yellow "no passing" lines in places where it would be quite safe for motorcycles to pass, the reduction of speed limits from 100 km/h to 80 km/h in places where it is deemed safer to limit the speeds of heavy vehicles while 100 km/h would still be acceptable, and often safer, for motorcycles (like the Kaikoura coast), and the evidence soon adds up.

OK, I guess that would do it! Cheers.

[junkie]

Hi, I understand the bus lane and the transit lanes, but does anyone know the ruling on truck lanes? for example theres one that comes out of auckland city, close to where the museum is located

[swbarnett]

Hi, I understand the bus lane and the transit lanes, but does anyone know the ruling on truck lanes? for example theres one that comes out of auckland city, close to where the museum is located
Legally trucks only.

[Hoon]

I've just got back into riding after taking a 8 year break from the road (track only!). Attitudes have really changed a lot in that time. Other than nobody ever nodding anymore (no complaints here) I've also noticed that the tolerance of lane splitting motorcycles is far more accepting now.

Back in the day (when Frosty first started this thread) you'd only lane split if motorway traffic was stationary or going no more than 10-20kph and at a speed no more than 20kph faster than that traffic. Nowadays I see riders splitting through 60kph traffic at 90kph and whats even more surprising is that the general public is far more accommodating of this behaviour. I got a shock my first day back on the motorway seeing all these bikes go screaming past me. If you tried that a few years back you'd get every second car on their horn or trying to take you out in self-righteous anger. Anyway, it wasn't long before I joined them (a matter of seconds I must admit).

So yes this thread could do with updating (or at least a cleanup) as I couldn't be bothered reading through 400+ posts. The laws might not have changed but the tolerance certainly has.

[Marmoot]

Hi, I understand the bus lane and the transit lanes, but does anyone know the ruling on truck lanes? for example theres one that comes out of auckland city, close to where the museum is located

Don't go into the truck lane.
T2 you can use, truck lane you cannot.


11. What is an HOV lane and who can use them?
The ‘High Occupancy Vehicle’ lane is a priority lane to give high occupancy vehicles (HOVs – two or more people per car), trucks and buses faster access to the motorway.

Car-pool vehicles (two or more people per car) can use this lane to bypass the signals. The benefit of the lane is to move more people rather than more cars.

The priority lane for trucks, buses and car-pool vehicles will be operating soon at the Mt Wellington and South Eastern Highway northbound on-ramps. Motorcycles can also use the priority lanes, except at Grafton Road southbound on-ramp which is a trucks only priority lane.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/rampsignalling/faqs/

[SNF]

Has anyone else noticed that in heavy traffic, stationary cages are pretty much parked over the center line? How are you meant to go past them on the right, all legal without going on the wrong side of the road?

[Ocean1]

Has anyone else noticed that in heavy traffic, stationary cages are pretty much parked over the center line? How are you meant to go past them on the right, all legal without going on the wrong side of the road?

Yeah, they're all trying to see past the car in front to where the godamn holdup is. :laugh:

[RUSS]

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html

Just an interesting thing I saw today.

[bosslady]

Do you? lane split? if so, have you ever clipped a car? and what did you do about it, nothing I guess? what can you really do if it's almost bumper to bumper on all lanes for quite a few ks? just asking...

[skippa1]

yeah..........my bars are wide as and I have clipped a couple of wing mirrors.......had my mirrors clipped in my wagon too.

[ducatilover]

I do sometimes, but it's not really needed in Palmy unless you're going to the front of the lights
I've never clipped a car, but had a fella try run me down, which I avoided :niceone:

[bosslady]

yeah..........my bars are wide as and I have clipped a couple of wing mirrors.......had my mirrors clipped in my wagon too.

were you angry when YOU were clipped? any damage?

[Subike]

I only filter, lane split, on multi lane roads. not something you want to start doing Boss lady until you are really really conversant with situational awareness, know instinctive braking, and are able to read cars at a glance.
Single lane roads? sit in the Que. So many many dangers passing vehicles on single lane city road, it would take a book to list them all.
Is a thing you need a heap of self confidence to do, but always know it can go horridly wrong, in the blink of an eye.
Risk evaluation.......do you risk an incident for the sake of 5 seconds quicker down the road.

[bosslady]

I only filter, lane split, on multi lane roads. not something you want to start doing Boss lady until you are really really conversant with situational awareness, know instinctive braking, and are able to read cars at a glance.
Single lane roads? sit in the Que. So many many dangers passing vehicles on single lane city road, it would take a book to list them all.
Is a thing you need a heap of self confidence to do, but always know it can go horridly wrong, in the blink of an eye.
Risk evaluation.......do you risk an incident for the sake of 5 seconds quicker down the road.

I literally always wait in queue. In this instance it was grid lock, morning traffic. Either stationary or slower than I can go, and I can now go slower than first gear, it was that bad. I would have been late for work 2 hours, easy. Ended up getting off because all the stopping and starting was so bloody stressful, couldn't do it for 1-2 hours

[mrchips]

I filter most days & only lane split on occasion when traffic is creeping less than 50km/h, i'm very cautious tho. Lots of stressed out angry commuters out there so be careful & courteous & most of all SAFE. Pays not to shit in your own backyard if you know what i mean.

Otherwise, i'm quite happy staying on my bike as long as possible before i reach my destination so no need to rush it.

I stalled at the lights once after filtering to the front... really pissed off 'white van man' & he let me know exactly how he felt about it.... God knows what would've happened if i clipped his wing mirror ~

[Subike]

I literally always wait in queue. In this instance it was grid lock, morning traffic. Either stationary or slower than I can go, and I can now go slower than first gear, it was that bad. I would have been late for work 2 hours, easy. Ended up getting off because all the stopping and starting was so bloody stressful, couldn't do it for 1-2 hours

If there are bike lanes at intersection, and if the traffic is stationary, cautiously go up the bike lane to the front. but watch for pedestrians, car breaking Que across your path, oh gosh. You really need to sit down with a person and discuss it. then go with someone who is a safe gridlock rider. walking the footpath with your Ginny would be an option i guess. but not really what you want to do.

[bosslady]

If there are bike lanes at intersection, and if the traffic is stationary, cautiously go up the bike lane to the front. but watch for pedestrians, car breaking Que across your path, oh gosh. You really need to sit down with a person and discuss it. then go with someone who is a safe gridlock rider. walking the footpath with your Ginny would be an option i guess. but not really what you want to do.

no footpaths on the mway... I need to find someone more experienced to help me with this because although I do try and avoid peak hour traffic when on my bike I'm inevitably going to have this happen again and if I'm unlucky it might be when the Sun is at full blast!

[skippa1]

were you angry when YOU were clipped? any damage?

meh........nah not really but I guess I could if I had a bad day.Its not like you do damage ( only just moving), might knock the mirror out of the focus area for the driver....

[bosslady]

meh........nah not really but I guess I could if I had a bad day.Its not like you do damage ( only just moving), might knock the mirror out of the focus area for the driver....

here's hoping I didn't clip a Porsche? haha

[Subike]

here's hoping I didn't clip a Porsche? haha

I took the drivers mirror off of a 05 Merc convertable recently, , mind you she did try to push me into the van on the right, and my boot just happened to become suddenly level with her mirror as I accelerated...................opps :devil2:
Filtering can be wrought with dangers, or fun, depending upon perspective..

[bluninja]

I used to commute 105 kms each way for 3.5 years. I used to lane split on the M3 (6 lanes) and the M25 (6 lanes) at 110-130...often having to get out of the way for faster bikes. It was the done thing on those roads. When I lived in west Auckland I used to lane split the north western and to the front of the traffic lights queue each day.

Never clipped mirrors...but I have had car doors opened on me (big tailback, sunny day ...people get out of their cars for a stretch and don't expect motorbikes), even had a cigarettte stubbed on my arm, and had various arms swing out in front of me. There's also the angry drivers that try and move over and block you from lane splitting. Just swing around the back and go up the big space they leave on the other side.

Don't filter much now as there's no need, but it is a skill in it's own right, where you don't think about balance and braking or how much space you need because all your attention is on the potential hazards all around you.... cars, pedestrians walking between stationary cars, vehicles emerging through a gap in the traffic, sudden changes of lane etc.

[G4L4XY]

Wherever possible preferably on the rear wheel (gots to save front tyre tread) :devil2:

[MIXONE]

I must confess to having broken two right hand mirrors while splitting in Wellington.Both times cars didn't see me and moved over into the gap I was riding in.Mind you that was on my fat old beema.The duck I ride now is nice and slim and very manouverable.:niceone:

[swbarnett]

no footpaths on the mway... I need to find someone more experienced to help me with this because although I do try and avoid peak hour traffic when on my bike I'm inevitably going to have this happen again and if I'm unlucky it might be when the Sun is at full blast!
I would've been happy to oblige. Until 3 weeks ago I did Mairangi Bay to CBD every day. My average commute was 15 minutes. It was about an hour in the car.


even had a cigarettte stubbed on my arm
I've been bitten on the elbow by an angry Doberman on the back of a ute. Shit am I glad I was wearing armoured leather; the spot where one tooth missed the armour was pretty saw for a while.

[Damantis]

Around town, it's usually when traffic is stationary at lights or intersections. Try to avoid rush hour anyway. The bike runs pretty hot if I'm sitting in stop-start sort of traffic so I try to get some airflow as much as possible. Sometimes when it is moving slowly ( less than about 60 kph on the motorway etc ) I'll lane split moving traffic but I'm carefull not to come though at such a speed it would be impossible to take evasive action. Having an indidcator on may or may not make you more noticable in a wing mirror? A low gear is good too in case you need to gap it when someone makes a sudden lane change.

We've all been in the car and gotten a fright when a bike flies past lane splitting and thought "What a dick-head" We owe it to ourselves to not be that Dick-head.

[skippa1]

The bike runs pretty hot if I'm sitting in stop-start sort of traffic so I try to get some airflow as much as possible. .

true that.....mine gets bloody hot sitting in traffic and starts cooking my right leg. Gotta keep moving.......peak hour traffic in Auckland is not a place I will sit in a line of traffic for that reason.

[bluninja]

We've all been in the car and gotten a fright when a bike flies past lane splitting and thought "What a dick-head" We owe it to ourselves to not be that Dick-head.

You must have gone in to "cager" mode and nodded off then :bleh: When the bikes fly past I just smile and think that could have been me, instead of sitting in a queue in a car.

[Glowerss]

Lane Splitting is one of THE single greatest benefits to owning a bike in the city. My commuting time to work is basically the same within 2-3 minutes regardless of what the traffic is doing.

The key is to do it safely/responsibly though, and not let it go to your head.

As a general rule, if the traffic is moving at half the posted limit, ill filter. I also never filter at more then 15-20ish KPH faster then what traffic is moving. People just don't expect bikes to go flying past them at twice the speed.

So long as you use your head and a bit of common sense (IE if you're filteng between lanes and 1 is moving faster, watch for cars darting into the faster lane, watch for gaps people are likely to pull into ect) it's relatively safe. Just gotta make sure you keep your eyes open and your brain engaged going "what if what if what if"

[Cam_NZ]

Sorry whats the difference between filtering and lane splitting?? or are they just different terms for the same thing?

[Tigadee]

Initially you may clip one or two mirrors, just give a little apologetic wave... After a few times, it's easy peasy and you won't hit anything, and you'll appreciate being on a bike even more.

Just don't be moronic and go at 30kph faster than the stopped or slow-moving traffic. Don't do it if the traffic speed goes above 40kph.

[Madness]

If you can't split without hitting the wing mirrors of cars you shouldn't be splitting in the first place. How would you like it if another splitting biker clipped your bike?

[DangerMice]

I've been lane spliting from Kelston to Pt. Chev for 5 years and I'm yet to hit anything. Just got to do it at a sensible speed differential and watch out for things like gaps in the traffic that cars like to quickly lane change into and wankers that swerve into you trying to stop you passing.

I'll always pull out of the way if a faster bike comes up behind me, and up at the front at the lights I always pull across in front of the car instead of sitting between the lanes. It annoys me if I'm following another bike and they sit in the middle as it leaves me with nowhere to go and trying to find a big enough gap between 2 cars further back. At least if you pull across the following bike can move up beside you.

[wysper]

Sorry whats the difference between filtering and lane splitting?? or are they just different terms for the same thing?

I could be wrong but I have always thought filtering was when the traffic was stopped. So you filter to the front of a queue waiting at the lights. Splitting was while the traffic was moving. I was under the impression that filtering was legal in NZ while splitting was a grey area.

[Devil]

I'll always pull out of the way if a faster bike comes up behind me, and up at the front at the lights I always pull across in front of the car instead of sitting between the lanes. It annoys me if I'm following another bike and they sit in the middle as it leaves me with nowhere to go and trying to find a big enough gap between 2 cars further back. At least if you pull across the following bike can move up beside you.

Dont be a douche. They got there first and the safest place for them is sitting in between the cars. Believe it or not, there are cars that take off quickly and self preservation would dictate that you shouldn't put yourself in their way.
If you got there too late and a bike is already in the middle up there, stay one car back and slot in behind.

And no, they didn't leave you with nowhere to go. YOU left you with nowhere to go.

[skippa1]

D there are cars that take off quickly and self preservation would dictate that you shouldn't put yourself in their way.

Thats why you should always clip the wing mirrors...the car drivers are so busy adjusting them back, they miss the green light:lol:

[steve_t]

I could be wrong but I have always thought filtering was when the traffic was stopped. So you filter to the front of a queue waiting at the lights. Splitting was while the traffic was moving. I was under the impression that filtering was legal in NZ while splitting was a grey area.

+1. Filtering is moving to the front of the queue at the lights. Splitting is riding between cars on a multilane road. Technically, if the traffic is moving, you must be to the right of the vehicle and be "overtaking". It is illegal to pass a moving vehicle on the left. Splitting is grey because some might see it as dangerous

[Maha]

It's a common misconception that, because a bike is lane splitting, every car at the go slow is watching out for bikes....this is not true.
But to answer the question?...sort of. I wasn't lane splitting at the time, I was eager to get to the front at a red light, my left mirror clipped the mirror on a van. Van was stopped.

[Maha]

Technically, if the traffic is moving, you must be to the right of the vehicle and be "overtaking". It is illegal to pass a moving vehicle on the left.

You get around that by always having your right indicater going, then technically, you are always overtaking the car to your left.

[Devil]

You get around that by always having your right indicater going, then technically, you are always overtaking the car to your left.

I try and give that impression too (using my indicator), even though at the time I might not be able to fit inside the lane due to their lane position.

[ducatilover]

If you can't split without hitting the wing mirrors of cars you shouldn't be splitting in the first place. How would you like it if another splitting biker clipped your bike?

What this fella said. If you're clipping mirrors you're being a bell end.

[Madness]

What this fella said. If you're clipping mirrors you're being a bell end.

If the OP is consistent you're about to get some red. Apparently I wasn't being helpful :facepalm:

KiwiBiker: A site for all New Zealand Motorcyclists, including the retarded ones.

[superjackal]

Watch that DRIVERSTV lanesplitting video again. Very empowering.
I split, only glanced a mirror once in 12 months. Sooner you split and filter the better. Stuff waiting around in traffic, you'll just end up hurt, hot and you won't be enjoying the full benefits of riding a motorcycle. Be as courteous as you can but don't get hung up on angry cagers. Splitting is natural and what morotcycles do as their part to ease congestion.

By sitting in traffic you're making things worse for everybody.

Don't forget a friendly thanks wave.... (use your left hand).

[Devil]

KiwiBiker: A site for all New Zealand Motorcyclists, including the retarded ones.

I like it. We should get it changed.

[p.dath]

Sorry whats the difference between filtering and lane splitting?? or are they just different terms for the same thing?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Lane_Splitting

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Filtering

[ducatilover]

If the OP is consistent you're about to get some red. Apparently I wasn't being helpful :facepalm:



It's coz you aren't pretty like me

[skippa1]

you fellas dont wanna get so precious about clipping a wing mirror and you dont wanna be too self rightous about it either because we all know youre not perfect now dont we :rolleyes::corn:

[Madness]

you fellas dont wanna get so precious about clipping a wing mirror and you dont wanna be too self rightous about it either because we all know youre not perfect now dont we :rolleyes::corn:

Clip my wing mirror & break it without stopping & offering to pay for the repair & you (or any fuckwit for that matter) will soon see exactly how precious I can be.

Wanker.

[skippa1]

Clip my wing mirror & break it without stopping & offering to pay for the repair & you (or any fuckwit for that matter) will soon see exactly how precious I can be.

Wanker.

oooooooo scary.....an internet threat:baby:

[Maha]

Clip my wing mirror & break it without stopping & offering to pay for the repair & you (or any fuckwit for that matter) will soon see exactly how precious I can be.

Wanker.


oooooooo scary.....an internet threat:baby:

Fuzzy dice at dawn you....you damn sods you...:lol:

[Madness]

oooooooo scary.....an internet threat:baby:

I wouldn't consider it a threat at all. You and others that are suggesting it's all fine & dandy to damage the vehicles of other road users in attempt to save time & due to a lack of either skill or control are simply fucked up. To suggest that I'm in no position to hold this opinion as I'm guilty of such behaviour myself is quite frankly wrong, hence I think you are a wanker.

:baby:

[skippa1]

I wouldn't consider it a threat at all. You and others that are suggesting it's all fine & dandy to damage the vehicles of other road users in attempt to save time & due to a lack of control are simply fucked up. To suggest that I'm in no position to hold this opinion as I'm guilty of such behaviour myself is quite frankly wrong, hence I think you are a wanker.

:baby:

Who said anything about damage...................? I think you are trying to pick a fight with me.....calling me a wanker....thats fighting talk:killingmeunless you are inferring I masturbate whilst riding, hence the reson I may have clipped a wing mirror:blink: I dont think you are a wanker. I think you are superior to me with your outstanding motorcycle control skills and I only have admiration for you and your opinions. I can only hope that I am one day as good as you.


I should add that I am being sincere

[Madness]

Who said anything about damage...................? I think you are trying to pick a fight with me.....calling me a wanker....thats fighting talk:killingmeunless you are inferring I masturbate whilst riding, hence the reson I may have clipped a wing mirror:blink: I dont think you are a wanker. I think you are superior to me with your outstanding motorcycle control skills and I only have admiration for you and your opinions. I can only hope that I am one day as good as you.

I don't try to pick fights with the disabled, it's just not cricket. It's not about having superior skills either, it's about riding responsibly without damaging the property of others.

Do you ride a Victory by any chance?

Edit: Try adding some punctuation to your posts some time. Think of it as personal development.

[Subike]

Pulls up a chair, gets out the pop corns, settles back to watch the fun.

Broken mirrors scattered across the floor at my feet........

[skippa1]

I don't try to pick fights with the disabled, it's just not cricket. It's not about having superior skills either, it's about riding responsibly without damaging the property of others.

Do you ride a Victory by any chance?

Edit: Try using some punctuation to your posts some time. Think of it as personal development.

for the deaf.....WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT DAMAGE.....
That feels better.
The internet is no place for spelling and grammar
Yes I do. Do you ride a Kawasaki?

[skippa1]

Broken mirrors scattered across the floor at my feet........

I know....look at the fuckers all over the place:lol: *kicks another broken one under the table*

[Madness]

for the deaf.....WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT DAMAGE.....
That feels better.
Yes I do. Do you ride a Kawasaki?


Sorry, I didn't realise all wing mirrors were made of silicone rubber these days :facepalm:

It must be pretty hard to control a bike whilst splitting that wouldn't handle well at all to start with? Mind you, it's all about image, innit?

Yes, I ride a Kawasaki. And no, I have never clipped the wing mirror of another vehicle whilst splitting.

I have been beside a car who had their wing mirror "clipped" by a retard on a bike as recently as this year. The mirror literally exploded and the biker simply tootled off into the sunset. That rider is a fuckwit of the highest order.

[pzkpfw]

I've done plenty of splitting, and never clipped a mirror.

If I did, there'd be pretty much two options:

1. I misjudged a gap (or a driver didn't see me, in a case where I could not reasonably expect him or her to have, and closed the gap on me), and I went where I should not have. Just like if I tried to drive my car between two other cars and scraped them: my fault. In this case I'd try to see about reparations, if it could be done without causing further traffic issues. (I know someone who let a car catch up to him, so he could hand over his business card).

2. Someone deliberately closed a gap on me, or just drove carelessly. Then, sure, I'd maybe just carry on without action (other than a "poor me" thread on KB to which people could reply "HTFU").

Lane splitting is freakin' fun (and useful) but it's not like some God given privilege. Though more or less legal, it simply isn't what drivers are expecting, and while no drivers ought to deliberately block splitters, it's up to us to be careful.

The only vehicle I've ever seen deliberately close the gap on me, was a freakin' long truck+trailer. Bastard. That was scary.

I never filter. Too much "what if I stall?" doubt. And in town I find the gaps are so often much narrower.

End of random ranting.

[imdying]

if so, have you ever clipped a car? and what did you do about it, nothing I guess? what can you really do if it's almost bumper to bumper on all lanes for quite a few ks? just asking...I stop and apologise and rectify if required (but I've never had to, although I've never smashed one off splitting). The law requires you to stop in an accident, and manners aside, I'm not about to find out the hard way if clipping a mirror constitutes an accident.

Besides, I'd expect a nudge over if I didn't; I'm a motorcyclist and I wouldn't think twice about tipping a bike that split me, stopped at the lights, and didn't offer to pay the damage.

Who said anything about damage? Ahhh, that would be common sense... you can't hit two painted pieces of plastic together and expect no damage... a small tiny piece of paint it might be, BUT IT'S NOT YOUR FUCKING TINY PIECE OF PAINT TO DAMAGE. Besides, if you don't stop, how would you know if you'd done damage or not. Sure a little scratch repair might be a bit precious, but that's their property and thus their right to get precious about.

/edit: Actually I never ever split, only filter.

[Subike]

I think I would only clip them if I started to look at how handsome I am in the car mirrors....
Now silicon, glass, rubber, plastic, elbows, dogs teeth, ciggy buts, heck you guys riding the land fills?
and yes pzkpfw, splitting is a heap of fun some days, have had riders in ques pull into the gap and follow me at different times when i putter past them

[f2dz]

I split and filter every day. It was the main reason I got a bike in the first place. I started a week after getting my learners, after a week of riding with the traffic to get the feel for it. I had more close calls on the open road than when I was splitting. I'd say splitting is as safe as you make it, and to do it if you feel confident enough and, even though I did, I wouldn't recommended splitting without a bit of experience behind you.

Like others have said you just have to be pretty careful when you do it, and don't be one of these guys who hoon down going 50km/h faster than the cars on either side. Just remember that the faster you go the less time you have to react to a car crossing your path, which can happen when you least expect it.

I've been splitting to work for around 10 months and I've never had any super close calls. Had one or two sketchy moments but they weren't very bad at all. Most car drivers are pretty aware of splitting motorcycles, at least in Auckland.

To try to keep safe I make sure that I usually never split going faster than 40-50km/h (if the traffic is moving faster you merge back in), I always cover both brakes and I try to stay in a low gear to allow for as much engine braking assistance as possible for when I need it, without stressing my engine too much. You also want to be super aware of gaps. If you're splitting past a car with a gap on its side where you're passing through make sure you either slow down a lot or swing into the gap a little to give yourself extra room in case they decide to change lanes. Having said that, when you swing in slightly make sure you cheap your blindspot quickly and check the cars in the other lanes to check they're not going to change into you from that side.

In terms of filtering, that usually seems more dangerous in terms of pedestrians. Never underestimate where those buggers might step out from. Also be wary of car doors opening, dropping people off, especially early morning in the CBD.

Oh and one last point I can think of, cops usually don't mind if you do either, so long as you're not looking too reckless. I've split/filtered past tons of em, never had an issue. Even split past a couple cops on bikes too. Oh, and very last thing, don't be one of those people who splits at 10km/h with a bunch of bikes behind you. Check your mirrors every so often, if the bike behind you wants to go faster, let them pass.

[skippa1]

It must be pretty hard to control a bike whilst splitting that wouldn't handle well at all to start with? Mind you, it's all about image, innit?

Yes, I ride a Kawasaki. And no, I have never clipped the wing mirror of another vehicle whilst splitting.

I have been beside a car who had their wing mirror "clipped" by a retard on a bike as recently as this year. The mirror literally exploded and the biker simply tootled off into the sunset. That rider is a fuckwit of the highest order.

ahhhh...........so let me get this right. Because I havent damaged any mirrors, you have to find a new way to try and justify your aggressive approach to me. The easiest is to try having a go at the type of bike I ride. Ok, if thats what makes your cock bigger. I might be a retard or poor at grammar, but you just proved that you lack any real substance. I think I might have just about had one of each,

Suzuki
Honda
Kawasaki
Triumph
Buell
Yamaha
Harley
Victory

I know....theres a few missing but hey, they were all good bikes, and yeah I ride a Victory, and yeah I clipped a mirror....wow:tugger:

[Madness]

:tugger:

Yep, that about sums it up.


ahhhh...........so let me get this right. Because I havent damaged any mirrors, you have to find a new way to try and justify your aggressive approach to me. The easiest is to try having a go at the type of bike I ride. Ok, if thats what makes your cock bigger. I might be a retard or poor at grammar, but you just proved that you lack any real substance.

Actually, my question about your Victory motorcycle was directly linked to the subject matter being discussed. You see I figured there must be a reason why you have such trouble avoiding the mirrors of other vehicles and I guessed that it was probably either a severe case of retardation or possibly Victory ownership. You've just proved it's a combination of both.

How do I know you haven't damaged any mirrors? In fact how do you know either? You have admitted to "clipping" a few but quite obviously haven't stopped to ascertain the damage caused. I guess the stopping wouldn't be good for your image, huh?

[skippa1]

Who said anything about damage? Ahhh, that would be common sense... you can't hit two painted pieces of plastic together and expect no damage... a small tiny piece of paint it might be, BUT IT'S NOT YOUR FUCKING TINY PIECE OF PAINT TO DAMAGE. Besides, if you don't stop, how would you know if you'd done damage or not. Sure a little scratch repair might be a bit precious, but that's their property and thus their right to get precious about.

/edit: Actually I never ever split, only filter.

pffftttt bullshit. I stopped and looked and gave a wave....no damage no worries......you lot must be fucken tired with all the jumping to conclusions

[skippa1]

Yep, that about sums it up.

How do I know you haven't damaged any mirrors? In fact how do you know either? You have admitted to "clipping" a few but quite obviously haven't stopped to ascertain the damage caused. I guess the stopping wouldn't be good for your image, huh?

read the post above.
you must have a tiny cock if you think that a persons choice in bikes is all about image :lol:

[Madness]

read the post above.
you must have a tiny cock if you think that a persons choice in bikes is all about image :lol:

Funny, I can think of no other reason why someone would buy a Victory. Unless of course they were a girl.

My cock is none of your business by the way. Try Akzle, I hear he likes midget sex.

[Deano]

My proposed KB charity boxing match is looking betterer and betterer. If calling someone a wanker is fighting words, calling them a cocksucker must be worthy of a severe beating.

I've had a cyclist clip my mirror while stationary in a major traffic jam. The only resulting damage to speak of was a few of his spokes.

[imdying]

pffftttt bullshit. I stopped and looked and gave a wave....no damage no worries......you lot must be fucken tired with all the jumping to conclusionsNo, that would be you... you're all fired up because you and your boyfriend are having a little public spat.

You acknowledged you'd hit it, and the driver waved you on... obligation fulfilled as far as I'm concerned.