Motorcyclists: How many road laws do you break on your daily commute? [Archive]

sAsLEX

9th October 2007, 09:04

How many road laws do you break on your daily commute?

Depends if the cops enforce the law as it is written or to their interpretation.

I know there interpretation of the bus land and bus light law differs from the law.

So how about how many tickets do you avoid on your daily commute?

To Uni it would of been:

Wrong Licence
Wrong Bike Type
Speeding
Excessive Acceleration
Under taking on the left ( lane split on the left of the inside lane which is the safest place o nthe road as they hug the right hand barrier but the law is not written on safety now is it?)
Misuse of Bus lane....
Outside of Hours of Licence
No Rego (some times )
No WOF (some times )

Probably some others as well.....

PirateJafa

9th October 2007, 09:08

Ragingrob

9th October 2007, 09:13

Lets see...

I sometimes exceed the speed limit
I exceed the 70km/h L-plate limit
I tend to filter up to the front of the lights - although I believe this is actually legal, as technically the cars are parked?
Ride on the footpath/park on it - it's illegal if you listen to the bloody landlord of the building ranting away, but screw him. :/
Misuse of those buslanes/B-lights around Pakuranga.

Have a look at http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=21150&highlight=filtering

I believe lane filtering/splitting is actually legal, even when cars are moving...?

EDIT : I mean, yeah lol technically they're parked when not moving so it's legal. Don't take notice of my moving statement.

Luckylegs

9th October 2007, 09:14

Errmmm... I refuse to comment under the 5th amendement that I might incinerate myself :Police:

Eek, setting yourself on fire is a bit extreme :rofl:...

Oh, and I voted for more than 6... Its so dammed hard

007XX

9th October 2007, 09:19

I try not to, but sometimes I:

-Exceed the 70 k/hr BS rule (ok, I'll admit quite often :o, especially if on the motorway:whistle:), but always try sticking to the 50 k/hr in suburbia, and also the 40 k/hr around schools.:innocent:

-Do some filtering, but only if both lanes are stopped and there is enough room for me in the middle...also make sure to have my indicator on while I'm doing it.:sweatdrop

That's pretty much all I get up to that's considered naughty...Don't mean to sound sanctimonious, but rules are there for a reason, and I prefer to respect them.

sAsLEX

9th October 2007, 09:22

but rules are there for a reason, and I prefer to respect them.

And some rules are based on silly illogical ideas, whilst other rules are just plainly poorly written and the powers that be don't even follow the rules they write.

Pancakes

9th October 2007, 09:29

Have a look at http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=21150&highlight=filtering

I believe lane filtering/splitting is actually legal, even when cars are moving...?

Overtaking (passing on the right of the vehicle, in this case while staying in the same lane) is legal. That means the whole bike not just making sure the tyres don't hit the cats-eyes. The chance of there being enough room on the right of a car in the same lane is F-all thats why we all are on the left of the cars in the fast lane normally with the tyres just to the right of the cats-eyes and part of the bike hanging into the other lane. It's the safest but is splitting which isn't legal. If your splitting and it's legal your not, you'll be "overtaking" which is why I laugh when bikes have their left indicator going, use the right one because you have to when passing correctly (on the outside, not the inside) or at the lights you'll be passing a parked car. So stay in control (that is, percieved control too, so your not worth pulling over) indicate right and remember, you were passing on the right ok!

007XX

9th October 2007, 09:30

And some rules are based on silly illogical ideas, whilst other rules are just plainly poorly written and the powers that be don't even follow the rules they write.

Yes, yes I know...I've had this conversation with so many people, it has gotten a bit tiresome (no disrespect meant here sasLEX!).

So although I agree with you in principles, I do not see the point of breaking those rules just to make a point, and have to pay the price for it when I could have easily avoided it by just following them in the first place.

I don't have enough money to spare to waste on fines, nor do I have the liberty to loose my licence without my family suffering from it.

But I will reshape the world and rant and rave at the hypocrisy of the governement/ rule makers with the best around a drink or two :clap::drinkup:

sAsLEX

9th October 2007, 09:32

So although I agree with you in principles, I do not see the point of breaking those rules just to make a point, and have to pay the price for it when I could have easily avoided it by just following them in the first place.

Only got one ticket so far commuting, for incorrect use of a bus lane/light.... but I fought it and won as the cops didn't even know the law they were enforcing.

Grahameeboy

9th October 2007, 09:34

What Laws........................:confused:

fergie

9th October 2007, 09:35

im a great big nana so obey the law to the T! YEAH RIGHT

007XX

9th October 2007, 09:38

Only got one ticket so far commuting, for incorrect use of a bus lane/light.... but I fought it and won as the cops didn't even know the law they were enforcing.

Good for you... me, I wouldn't have neither the time nor the inclination to waste the time neede to do this :D

Maybe I'm just getting too old to be bothered!?! :laugh:

Besides, I don't think this is what Jill wanted to know when she put this thread up, so lets just agree to disagree, shall we? :msn-wink:

Jantar

9th October 2007, 09:42

Just one. And its the same one everyday on my 10km commute.

Coyote

9th October 2007, 09:42

At least I indicate...

vifferman

9th October 2007, 09:48

Dunno - I'm too busy riding to count my "instances of wrong-doing".

I will say though, that there are some I never break, like going through a red light or stop sign. Everything else is fair game. I guess that's a bit hypocritical of me, but :whocares:

But at least I'm not guilty of inattention, not knowing the road rules or being a tard, unlike most of the drivers on the road...

jim.cox

9th October 2007, 09:53

I commute by bicycle - saves the wear and tear on the Ducati

So you MIGHT get me for
Riding on the footpath
Ridng on the wrong side of the road
Running red lights

But I'm unlikely to be done for speeding - even though I am moving faster than the cages

ManDownUnder

9th October 2007, 09:53

Splitting and possibly nudging the needle above 100 on ocassion (not seriously though)

so 2... arguably three if the cop was a she and PMS was in full swing (dangerous use of an MV for splitting...?)

I try to resist the urge to wave frantically with both hands at this gorgeous thing heading the other way on the NW some mornings too...

Nasty

9th October 2007, 10:01

I figured I was a saint till I counted ... and yes two poss three ... nudging above 100 and spliting when the traffic is going under 30 and i get bored :sweatdrop

riffer

9th October 2007, 10:07

Oh dear... this is not going to look good.

Today has seen:

exceed 100km/hr (by less than 40 km/hr ... just) overtaking.

lane splitting (including overtaking on the left) on SH1 - Porirua motorway.

and I popped a little wheelie overtaking a car on the inlet road (Paremata Road) so add excessive display of acceleration to the naughty list.

It's tough when you're on a big bike, though, ain't it? :whistle:

Keystone19

9th October 2007, 10:09

I try to resist the urge to wave frantically with both hands at this gorgeous thing heading the other way on the NW some mornings too...

Does she ride a bike?

It is possible that the following may apply on my morning commute, on the other hand, they may not:

1) passing on double yellow lines
2) speed exceeding the posted limit
3) filtering on the left (unsure about this - might get off on a technicality)
4) dangerous use of a motorvehicle (I think that applies to the use of one wheel)
5) failing to stop at a stop sign (although that would be harsh)
6) probably some other things that I haven't thought of yet...

However, I am a responsible, married mother of two children and it is unlikely that any of the above actually occur in reality...

Fatjim

9th October 2007, 10:25

I'm definitely a saint, no laws broken whatsoever.

And the TRTNR doubles as a defensive riding course as well.

johan

9th October 2007, 10:32

[QUOTE=PirateJafa;1239347]Lets see...

I tend to filter up to the front of the lights - although I believe this is actually legal, as technically the cars are parked?

I believe there's a difference between parked and stopped. If the vehicle is standing at the traffic light for a short period of time with the driver still in the car, engine still running, I'd say it's rather 'stopped' or 'standing' than parked.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/consultation/parking-control

1.2 Stopping, standing and parking
In the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004 (Rule 54002) and the Land Transport (Road
User) Rule 2004 (Rule 61001), ‘parking’ is defined as meaning:
• in relation to any portion of a road where parking is for the time being governed by the location of
parking meters or vending machines placed under a bylaw of a local authority, the stopping or
standing of a vehicle on that portion of the road for any period exceeding five minutes
• in relation to any other portion of a road, the stopping or standing of a vehicle (other than a
vehicle picking up or setting down passengers in a loading zone or reserved parking area, and
entitled to do so) on that portion of the road.
The Traffic Control Devices Rule also goes on to define ‘standing’ as stopping:
• for the purpose of picking up or setting down passengers, or, in the case of a taxi stand, for the
purposes of waiting for hire
• while a vehicle remains attended by the driver at all times.

sunhuntin

9th October 2007, 10:45

daily commute, i usually break the same one every day, but depening on the day, it may be two or three.
usually its only speed [doing 80k when i should be doing 70, or else doing slightly above 50k while moving with the traffic]
sunday mornings its speed and occasionally red lights [6.30am, theres not much other traffic around to assist with triggering]
thats generally about it.

Fatjim

9th October 2007, 12:09

Is doing a wheelie while lane splitting illegal?

Keystone19

9th October 2007, 12:13

Is doing a wheelie while lane splitting illegal?

I expect so...but the age old rule applies...if no one sees it, did it happen?

vifferman

9th October 2007, 12:16

Does she ride a bike?

It is possible that the following may apply on my morning commute, on the other hand, they may not:

1) passing on double yellow lines
2) speed exceeding the posted limit
3) filtering on the left (unsure about this - might get off on a technicality)
4) dangerous use of a motorvehicle (I think that applies to the use of one wheel)
5) failing to stop at a stop sign (although that would be harsh)
6) probably some other things that I haven't thought of yet...
That would be, "excessive or unnecessary acceleration" ?

Keystone19

9th October 2007, 12:26

That would be, "excessive or unnecessary acceleration" ?

No officer...not me...I accelerate carefully and gently at all times...

hospitalfood

9th October 2007, 12:28

I can't face work without drinking lots of wiskey, so I usually get pissed before I leave the house, after that its hard to remember the rules................or what I do with my day......

Luckylegs

9th October 2007, 12:40

Maybe I should be posting this in 'General Maintenance' but my bike seems to have a dodgy right handlebar.

It looks OK, and dosnt ssem to have suffered any damage but when I touch it it seems to rotate backwards. The left one dosnt do this, so I assume the right one is damaged.

Does anyone know where I can get a new one and how to replace it. I dont know what the previous owener did, but there seems to be some sort of cable connecting the handlebar to the motor...

Please help !!!!!! I think this could be main reason for my constant (Note I voted more than 6) breaking of the law......

Sanx

9th October 2007, 12:56

4) dangerous use of a motorvehicle (I think that applies to the use of one wheel)

"Inappropriate position on a motorcycle", I think that's referred to as.

However, I am a responsible, married mother of two children and it is unlikely that any of the above actually occur in reality...

Yeah, and you bring a 'calming influence' to pit lane too :lol:

Swoop

9th October 2007, 13:02

Is doing a wheelie while lane splitting illegal?
So long as you are indicating and have a valid licence it is OK. Positives and negatives cancel each other out, so it's fine.

Einsteins' 23rd theory of the universe or summat...:yes:

dogsnbikes

9th October 2007, 13:28

hmmm hard too say all depends on how the coppers enforce the laws i:e got pulled up for doing 145ks copper writes ticket for doing 125ks hence only doing me for excess above his speed limit for bikes:2thumbsup

not sure about this one though whats the law on nude pillions and tit flashing or is that reserved for boobs on bikes parades must admit though the firemen flashed there lights in approval :whistle:

MaxCannon

9th October 2007, 14:10

Well lets see

I'm usually going a bit faster than the posted limit, generally 60 in 50 zones (keeping up with the traffic)

On very rare occasions I've driven on the footpath for a dozen or so meters to get around traffic jams or cars parked in clearways.

I've twice had to ride through pedestrian gates as cars have been illegally parked in our driveway at work.

All in all I can't be that bad.

Crisis management

9th October 2007, 16:03

There are rules?

Who's idea was that, I'm quite happy with doing whatever I want.....no-ones complained (much) about that before.

It's the bloody gummint again init!

Finn

9th October 2007, 16:11

3.6 k's and an average 56 so called illegal moves per day. These include using the give way rule at pointless red lights when no traffic is coming, chronic lane splitting because kiwi's are soooo sloooow off the mark, speeding to make the next green light (one of 25 that aren't sinc'd) and ignoring arrows and no u-turns cause I've made a nice little route up.

Not much of a conformist am I.

surfchick

9th October 2007, 16:14

the 996 has been know to (i don't know who was riding)

open road riding:
odd bursts of bad speeding bad bad bad:no: but cutting that out now ;)

on the commute :
undertaking...overtaking...lanesplitting
gently speeding slightly...a bit sometimes
pavement dawdling and mildly illegal parking...

quite alot of illegal... but pretty safe really...:bleh:

actually it all started with cars when i was at uni and stuck for a park at international-house in whitaker place so i used to park on the traffic island :)
got away with if for years till the cops found the end of that road... :Police::Police::Police::eek:

Toaster

9th October 2007, 16:26

I am sure there are plenty who do the often overlooked ones like cutting over the white/yellow lines turning right, overtaking on flush medians, failing to indicate, failing to indicate for at least 3 seconds, following too closely, failing to indicate off a roundabout correctly, failing to stop for amber light or arrow, failing to stop at stop sign, failing to give way, overtaking outside the lane, failing to comply with directional arrow, riding a honda.... the list just goes on....

Morcs

9th October 2007, 16:44

If I ride the cbr then,

1. Wrong Licence
2. Wrong Bike Type
3. Speeding
4. Excessive Acceleration
5. No Rego
6. No WOF

Yeah thats about me on my 6km commute out west. when im on the rvf only 1,2,3,4 apply.

0arbreaka

9th October 2007, 17:55

2. Wrong Bike Type

Wrong bike type?

WarlockNZ

9th October 2007, 18:10

I refuse to comment as i may wind up with a nasty letter from the plod ... LOL

Drum

9th October 2007, 18:18

It's not so much breaking the law, but rather stretching the boundaries of what is safe and sensible that is the real issue for me.

enigma51

9th October 2007, 18:39

None im an angel

A&R

10th October 2007, 21:42

Mr Skid

10th October 2007, 22:01

Sometimes I don't give up my seat on the bus to old ladies.

HDTboy

11th October 2007, 00:34

0, I'm a saint.

Reckless

11th October 2007, 01:29

As many as I need, to to get where I'm going, as fast and as safely as I can, without getting caught.

I'm not talking major hooning here just general biker vs cage advantage.
You know! twice the power, 1/8 the size, front of the queue, first off the lights, pass the slow ones, stuff. Why else ride a bike???

In other words who gives a shit as long as I spot the cop first!

R6_kid

11th October 2007, 11:44

driving while disqualified (yeh right!), speeding, sometimes not indicating

Griff

11th October 2007, 13:17

new to NZ road rules and haven't got aroad bike yet.
however while on the subject of rules is it legal here to go between cars or pass to the right/left n the same lane ( is this what you call lanesplitting?) Its legal in the UK while undertaking is not they call it "filtering" over there.

Keep your indicators on and you are overtaking (parked cars).
No indicators = Lanesplitting.

Sometimes I would like a pillion on the back who's job is to count all the cars that I "Overtake" on a daily basis..... Then I have another Tui and the thought goes away.

Also, "Speeding" is relative to where you stand.
When I am on my bike I do not move, although the world does speed around me. (Sometimes at a tremendous rate of knots).
That's not the same as speeding ... is it???

Max Preload

14th October 2007, 20:33

I speed at every opportunity, lane split on the left (where there's actually room), largely ignore red arrows when there is no opposing traffic and good visibility, but that's about it.

Winter

16th October 2007, 23:51

I get :

Speed,
Excessive Acceleration
Not Stoping for stop sign
not stopping for traffic lights
over taking on double yellows
outside licensed hours
no L plate.
failing to report non-injury accident (me kicking in wing mirrors of killer cages)
leaving the scene of an accident.

That's probably about my morning commute.

NighthawkNZ

17th October 2007, 06:16

Ok, just a little poll for interest's sake as I was reflecting on this on my way to work this morning.

How many road laws do you break on your daily commute?

none... because I walk to work every morning :(

but if I was riding, I am sure there would be a couple... ferk if I had to resit my license I would probably fail :doh:

rphenix

17th October 2007, 22:09

But at least I'm not guilty of inattention, not knowing the road rules or being a tard, unlike most of the drivers on the road...

Yes there should be a rule against "tards" driving. Maybe some sort of "survivor" style voting system to get tards of the roads.

My favourite seems to be people who pull out in front of me from a parked position they obviously think bikes have magical abilities that cars dont because I know when I drive a cage myself I never have trouble like that (or at least as frequent).

peasea

17th October 2007, 22:31

Yes there should be a rule against "tards" driving. Maybe some sort of "survivor" style voting system to get tards of the roads.

My favourite seems to be people who pull out in front of me from a parked position they obviously think bikes have magical abilities that cars dont because I know when I drive a cage myself I never have trouble like that (or at least as frequent).

Riding a motorcycle makes you a better car driver, no argument. Most car drivers don't seem to be able to determine how fast things can happen and pull out in front of other vehicles when there is not enough time/space to do so safely. As bikers are more vulnerable they tend to allow for wider margins, generally speaking. Sure, we all cut it fine here and there but I think (and I doubt I'm alone here) that experienced bikers have the ability to make good judgement calls for the most part. What might look like "a stupid move" to some retard in a car might very well be a calculated, safe manoeuvre from the rider's perspective.

Bikers are rarely on suicide missions, we all want to get home; how we go about it varies as much as personal perceptions but as a rule of thumb, if you hit the road thinking that everyone is out to kill you you're more likely to survive.