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View Full Version : Riding in traffic - Lane splitting



MaxCannon
21st March 2007, 21:08
Hi guys and girls,

I've just started out on a GN250 (it was cheap and I'm poor)
Having spent 14 years driving around Auckland I'm finding the traffic beating abilities of the bike are great.

My commute takes me up Mt Eden rd where I can make use of the Bus lanes. This alone saves 15 minutes over sitting in the car.

My question concerns navigating roads where there isn't a Bus lane (i.e every other I cross between Onehunga and Ponsonby.
When traffic is flowing I try and stay in the right wheel track of the car in front. When it's backed up I find myself going up the left side between the kerb and the left lane of cars just like a cyclist.
I see other bikers either filtering through the middle of two lanes or going down the outside.
I realise a lot depends on the road in question but is there a general consensus on where I should be riding in heavy traffic. My main concern of course is not ending up on my backside !

Cajun
21st March 2007, 21:14
You should stay between the two lanes of traffic, or on the right-hand side of it.

Don't pass on the inside. I often see people on scooters doing this and have almost taken a couple out going round a left-hand corner (@ 30kph) not expecting them to be coming up the inside doing 50kph.

Terminated
21st March 2007, 21:14
Here's a start for you:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=21150&highlight=lane+splitting

I would have a good read of this before you next go out on the bike.

Heads Up and Enjoy