Abolish 70kph learners rule

[archie-no2]

I ride a 2005 Gn250. Dad rides a honda cbr1100xx blackbird. He took me for my first open road ride recently. After initially riding at 70 kmph as per lerner licence dad decided that at the rate cars were dangerously passing to over take us that it was blatantly to dangerous to continue at 70 kph only.

How many people have been riding down the motorway and not felt safe due to having to ride so slowly.

The rule is put in place to make the learners safer riders, but with everybody else traveling at 100-110kph around them it is auctually making the roads more dangerous for these beginer motorcyclists.

Personally I believe that the speed limits should be incresed to at least 90kph so that we are not in danger due to going so slow.

What are your views?

[kiwifruit]

Don't ride on the motorway.

[vtec]

I've ridden my pushbike faster than 70kph and I don't need a licence or a full face helmet or rego or a warrant or a licence plate, now that's freedom. The law is a joke and puts people who follow it in dangerous situations.

[hayd3n]

How many people have been riding down the motorway and not felt safe due to having to ride so slowly.

The rule is put in place to make the learners safer riders, but with everybody else traveling at 100-110kph around them it is auctually making the roads more dangerous for these beginer motorcyclists.

Personally I believe that the speed limits should be incresed to at least 90kph so that we are not in danger due to going so slow.

What are your views?

avoid the motorways and go the back roads normally more enjoyable too even at 70 kays

[Coyote]

To be honest, I think it should stay. You're going on the road by their rules, and they say 70. Which means you should go on roads that suit a 70k restriction, which isn't motorways. If you live somewhere that is only accessible by motorway, well you shouldn't expect to be able to ride your bike too and from home until you've got your restricted.

Course I ignored the rule completely and was easily doubling that speed on the motorway.

[Duke girl]

That law is absolutely ridiculous and out right dangerous to all Learner licence motorcyclists. How bloody stupid is it that everyone else around you is travelling the speed limit and over and yet there you are with your L Plate displayed and travelling at a dismal 70 k's on an open road. It sure doesn't build up your self esteem while riding amongst traffic flying pass you as thou you are standing still. All it does is make other road users angry and inpatient with being held up on the roads by only being able to travel at 70k's. Any wonder why a few Learner riders refuse to display their L plate while riding as they would rather sit on the appropiate speed limit and keep up with the traffic then be out there feeling inferiated.

[James Deuce]

The law was created at a time when the maximum open road speed limit was 80kph. One can infer the intent of the 70kph limit from that, and I believe that 90 kph would be entirely reasonable given that context.

[Niko14]

Sorry if this seems abrupt but I'm kinda passionate about this issue...

70kph where traffic is moving at +100 kph scares the hell outta me, and where the hell am I supposed to ride that doesn't have a 100k limit? to the corner dairy and back? :argh:

It's STUPID!!!

Aren't power restrictions on our bikes enough?

P.s. Just outta interest, how many people actually stick or stuck to this law on their L's?

[hayd3n]

Sorry if this seems abrupt but I'm kinda passionate about this issue...

70kph where traffic is moving at +100 kph scares the hell outta me, and where the hell am I supposed to ride that doesn't have a 100k limit? to the corner dairy and back? :argh:

It's STUPID!!!

Aren't power restrictions on our bikes enough?

P.s. Just outta interest, how many people actually stick or stuck to this law on their L's?

neva had a l plate when i started i got pulled over few times and neva got ticketed
be polite and explain your situation and you might be lucky

[Maki]

If you allow someone on the road at all you also need to give them permission to safely keep up with the flow of traffic. The 70 rule needs to be abolished ASAP. If someone can't ride faster than 70 safely they should not be allowed to ride at all and should be provided with more education/training.

The law is currently under review.

[Slyer]

I agree with the 70kph limit.
The problem is that it's SIX MONTHS before you are allowed to go faster.
70kph means you can go fuckall of anywhere, so by the time that 6 months is over, said rider is nowhere near as experienced as what they could be and they've just wasted 6 months of good riding time.
Who decided that time that time even when not riding makes you more experienced?

I propose that the restricted test should be available the day after passing their learners test if they so choose to take it, their riding skills should be judged rather the time they spent not riding.
I would also like the restricted test made harder.

This is coming from a noob who has a lot to learn about riding, I think I deserve a restricted license but not a full license yet..

[PirateJafa]

You're a nub who should be kept to 70km/h IMO Slyer. ;)

[Andy250]

It's easy to see both sides of the coin, as learner riders you should be getting used to riding and cornering at slower speeds so as to avoid an accident, however, you may be the cause of one if you can only go 70 between the corners. The best way around it would be to introduce a riding competency check any time after passing the learner test to asses each individuals ability. It would be immediately obvious to any instructor if your capable of the higher speeds.
And no, I don't have an L plate on my bike, why advertise the fact I'm doing 30 over the limit!

[Slyer]

You're a nub who should be kept to 70km/h IMO Slyer. ;)
I apply perfectly to my argument. ;)

[Quailboy]

If you live somewhere that is only accessible by motorway, well you shouldn't expect to be able to ride your bike too and from home until you've got your restricted


How do you get enough practice to do your restricted? How do you get to the testing place to do your restricted?

I am in this situation, except on a double lane road, so I do not follow the 70kmph rule as it is dangerous for me, and other road users as they will try to pass in rediculous places and tailgate etc...

Abolish it! Learners should have responsibility to ride to their own ability.

Waaaaaa :crybaby:

[Coyote]

How do you get enough practice to do your restricted? How do you get to the testing place to do your restricted?

I am in this situation, except on a double lane road, so I do not follow the 70kmph rule as it is dangerous for me, and other road users as they will try to pass in rediculous places and tailgate etc...

Abolish it! Learners should have responsibility to ride to their own ability.

Waaaaaa :crybaby:
True. I always went 100 in single lanes, expecting if I got caught I'd hopefully explain myself out of a ticket, and then cruised at 70-90 in double lanes (depending on how badly the traffic was zooming towards my arse).

I still think the restriction is a good idea as you don't have the same restriction of having a driver next to you like in a car.

[Quailboy]

I still think the restriction is a good idea as you don't have the same restriction of having a driver next to you like in a car.

Yeah, true. I guess there has to something there aye.

Any old John or Fred could do the (horrifically basic) BHS test and jump on a bike and kill themselves. I see why its good to have it there.

I wonder what %age actually follow it?

[howdamnhard]

Whenever you are going much faster or much slower than the surrounding traffic you become a hazard and the likelyhood of a collision is greatly increased,pretty simple really.My route to work had two 100km/h sections and there where no other slower route options so I rode at the same speed as the rest of the traffic(normally 80 km/h) and never had any problems with the boys in blue.I would rather risk a ticket or fine than becoming roadkill.:niceone:

[Coyote]

Yeah, true. I guess there has to something there aye.

Any old John or Fred could do the (horrifically basic) BHS test and jump on a bike and kill themselves. I see why its good to have it there.

I wonder what %age actually follow it?
I was lucky enough to start dirt riding in my early teens so I already had some basic riding knowledge and could go 100k (relatively) safely. The average newbie just learning where the footpegs are is going to have a hard time at 100.

Though I wasn't the best at sticking to under 70 (on the whole I was good. It's just there's some nice straights in the backroads nearby), I know I was one of the few that actually bothered having an L-Plate. I high percentage only have their L-Plate for their restricted test, so I imagine a lot of people out there ignore the 70k limit.

[Benk]

so I imagine a lot of people out there ignore the 70k limit.

Cops included. Ive been let off twice (over 70, and no L plate) because they agreed it was a stupid rule. Well, actaully some story telling got me off the no L plate, but we had good discussions about the 70k rule. Third time lucky though, so id better pull finger and sit my restricted, or Im gunna get pinged (hopefully not this afternoon, due to tempting fate).

It should be abolished for sure. If you are too incompetent to ride at 100ks on an open road, then your still going to be a bloody worry at 70ks. 70ks is still fast enough to do some serious damage.

[wbks]

If 100 is too fast for someone to cope, then having people fly past them 30km's faster and taking stupid risks to get past them is surely too much. On a busy road people try like crazy to pass you and even on double yellow lines. A lot more scary then going 100km's is when they start cutting you off or virtually pushing you off the road because there is suddenly an oncoming car about to crash into them...
Just "debating" your point that 100 is too fast for people still learning where the foot pegs are, coyote.

[davebullet]

Number of Km's clocked up would be a better indication of experience, but too hard to register / prove with today's systems. I had only 2 months and 1,500km experience on my bike before I sat my restricted.

[Skyryder]

Hopefully sanity will prevail with the 70k speed review. But the other side to the equation is that at 100k's 250's do not have much further grunt to get you out of trouble if the need arises. I have never held the view that the cc restriction is needed. Another issue I know but I think the two are related. I think I'm in the minority on this.


Skyryder

[Slyer]

I agree with the 250cc rule, but there should be a better way of determining if you are capable of riding something better than just time.
I for one am not ready to graduate from the 250cc riders club, but I shouldn't have to wait 2 years.

[DarkLord]

I just took the L plates off and rode carefully without them.

I could do 100 on the motorway no problem and I got no trouble from the coppers as I rode carefully and within the speed limit.

Taking a risk like that is not for some as you are up for a hefty fine if you are caught, but them's the breaks I guess.

[Slyer]

I ride at the speed limit carefully with my L plates and coppers don't care.
(They do care when I break other license conditions at the same time.) :bleh:

[Duke girl]

Its amazing how many L Platers ride with their L plate displayed and travel over the 70ks speed limit they are suppose to be travelling at and the Police dont seem to worry about pulling you over and writing you out a ticket. Is this because these cops are motorcyclists themselves and they dont agree with the 70 k speed limit for learners themselves?.

[Monolith NZ]

I was pulled over yesterday for pulling 68 in a 50 zone, The cop asks where my L plate is and I explained why i don't ever
use mine (I travel in 100 zones daily). He "skipped" the fine and said it was my warning, we got into a bit of a bike chat and he agreed with me that the 70k rule needs to be reviewed.

This issue really gets me fired up, how does that condition increase learner safety at all? I tried sticking to it for about 5
minutes before I starting sketching out as cars flew past me over and over without giving me the slightest bit of room.

My L plate will never go near my bike while I still value my life.

[Slyer]

Yeah but you bloody deserved a fine then. :bleh:

[Monolith NZ]

68k down a straight 200M non residential road in the early hours of the morning

:oi-grr: what was I thinking ?

[CB ARGH]

I extremely disagree with the 70km/h speed limit for learner motorcyclists. I chose to ignore the speed limit and travel with the flow of traffic, that doesn't mean overtaking vehicles travelling at 80km/h because I want to do 100km/h, I mean to just go the speed of the vehicle in the far left lane. This theory didn't pay off, as I found myself paying off a much larger problem, a $400 fine for exceeding 70km/h, I still have the ticket as proof if you choose not to believe me.

I feel safer travelling at 100km/h, as when I am travelling at 79km/h (you can go up to ten over), I am worried about the vehicles behind be, and I focus less on the hazards infront of me, and my overall riding experience.

This law needs to be changed ASAP. Not in a year, not in a month, not even next week, but TOMORROW.

If there were a protest, I sure as hell would join in.

[BiK3RChiK]

What I learned about this was that you get nowhere bleating about it on here! Best to talk to your MP or write to the NEW Transport Minister.. Yeah, the law is stupid, but there's a million (sic) posts on here already about it and nothing was ever done. If you're serious about it, then don't post on a forum, make it happen in the real world!

[Mully Clown]

This issue really gets me fired up, how does that condition increase learner safety at all? I tried sticking to it for about 5
minutes before I starting sketching out as cars flew past me over and over without giving me the slightest bit of room.

My L plate will never go near my bike while I still value my life.

Well it was never the intention for people on a learners license to be cruising on the highways. In saying that I don't have my plate on and ride to the conditions.

Must go book that restricted test in though.

[samgab]

I'm on my learners, and I do stick to the 70 limit (give or take 10K's), and I display an "L" plate; but it's very very dangerous going so slow on the motorway. I can't afford a $400 fine like CB AARGH got.
It's a dangerous, stupid law and it needs to go.
I agree with the CC limitation though.
I also agree that if one is allowed on the road at all, one should be allowed to travel at the posted speed limit of that road.
But I find it really dangerous traveling at 70 on the motorways, so I've booked in my restricted test for next week... Interesting to see that during the practical test on the motorway I'm allowed to go 100, according to the LTSA guidebook.

[speights_bud]

I quickly ditched the 70KM/h Rule, as i lived rurally on the Napier/Wairoa Road commuting into town (a good half hour at 100km) it was Farken Dangerous with the logging trucks and the likes trying to overtake you at 110km/h on the narrow'ish' roads (and YES they do travel at that pace on that road), and by narrow i mean a foot of loose chip seal between the white line and grass unlike a the nice motorways.

if a rider doesn't feel confident/capable then they shouldn't travel at any speed greater than is safe for them, keeping inside the speed limits of course, the 70km/h rule is not a speed limit as i found out once, it is a licence condition, so if mr Plod pulls you over for doing 120km/h on your learners he cannot pull your licence then and there on those conditions. just fine you an Additional $400 :eek5: when i got pulled over Mr plod Giggled and said "gonna slow down to 70 and lets the traffic past aren't you from now on eh?" (good bugga!)

Oh and i always displayed an L plate...

[Ripperjon]

Just stump up 22 bucks and apply for an exemption you tight-arses!

That's what i did, as soon as i got the bike back here from Chch.

about a week later, i got a letter that said (more or less) "congratulations, you can now ride at 100kph as much as you like. Oh, and go and take your restricted whenever you want!"

Cheers :2thumbsup

[Slyer]

What exemption is that? Didn't know there was one that allowed you to bypass the waiting.

[CaMo]

Had my learners a while now. Should really get my restricted. Hell I'd have my full if I got my arse into gear. Never had a L plate and never obeyed any 70km/hr rule. Been pulled up once with the old man for 111 on the motorway and athough was threatened large fines and consequences, only received a $80 ticket.

[rphenix]

Just stump up 22 bucks and apply for an exemption you tight-arses!

That's what i did, as soon as i got the bike back here from Chch.

about a week later, i got a letter that said (more or less) "congratulations, you can now ride at 100kph as much as you like. Oh, and go and take your restricted whenever you want!"

Cheers :2thumbsup

The only exemption I've ever heard of is the 250cc clause.

[Ripperjon]

The application for exemption form is pretty much a big empty box (like the one i'm typing in now!). You can ask for an exemption to any of the restrictions if you can give a valid reason for it.
I asked to be exempt from the 70 rule because of my route to work and the heavy traffic on it travelling 100+.
A friend in the same circumstances asked for the same thing. They granted it to us both without question.
For some reason they also added on mine that i could take my restricted immediately.
It more than likely just depends on the mood of the person whose desk your application ends up on.
So when you write your application - be polite, don't feel you are entitled to anything, explain your position as best you can, write in your bestest hand-writing and cross your fingers!

[Fumph]

The70 kmh restriction needs to go. I recently got my restricted but when I first went out on the L plates like every one else I soon realised that to hold your position in your lane and not get shunted off the the left hand side you need to keep up with the flow of 100/110 Kmh traffic. My GN250 can do that but only just! I always displayed an L plate and thought it might be kind of useful to warn other road users I might just do some thing stupid and so back off and give me road space. Judging by the lack of L plates being displayed I would say that lots of new riders would rather pretend they are more skilled at riding than they really are! I have never been stopped by the Fuzz.....

[Icemaestro]

I've been riding for two months now, previously been driving a car for 6-7 years - took the L plate off today to go on the motorway as I was sick of being tooted and having people dangerously overtake me. Even when there are 80k signs people travel at 110k anyway!! Thinking might apply for that exemption, It's not fun going from a full car licence (which the partner drives now) to driving 70k and have to be home at 10!

[imne1]

I'm on learners, I have never and will never obey the 70kph rule.I've ridden down the motorway at 100-110, passed cops who were cruising at 90, L-plate flapping furiously in the wind, they dont care. As long as you ride safely cops simply choose not to enforce it (assuming they even know about the rule, and i'm betting alot of them dont).

[Shadows]

Here we go again.

All of these 70k restriction threads should be merged into the waving one.

Why do spaghetti mushy peas and hotdog riders never wave back to rice riders doing 70kph on the open road when I always wave to people on scooters which have a maximum speed of only 50kph maybe I should flash my L-plate at them when they're coming the other way so they know I'm riding slowly because I'm legally obliged to and not because I'm queer do you think that will help and would it matter if they're wearing tassels or not and if they still don't wave back after flashing my L-plate then is it worth getting on the interdweeb and having a cry about it?

Use the time to learn to ride.

[Slyer]

Waving doesn't matter, this does.
Whinging won't change anything but allow them to vent somewhere...

[imne1]

Here we go again.
... then is it worth getting on the interdweeb and having a cry about it?

LOL .. good shit :-D

[McDuck]

I went 70 for about 200kms.
Then it was up to 100...

[DarkLord]

I ride a 2005 Gn250. Dad rides a honda cbr1100xx blackbird. He took me for my first open road ride recently. After initially riding at 70 kmph as per lerner licence dad decided that at the rate cars were dangerously passing to over take us that it was blatantly to dangerous to continue at 70 kph only.

How many people have been riding down the motorway and not felt safe due to having to ride so slowly.

The rule is put in place to make the learners safer riders, but with everybody else traveling at 100-110kph around them it is auctually making the roads more dangerous for these beginer motorcyclists.

Personally I believe that the speed limits should be incresed to at least 90kph so that we are not in danger due to going so slow.

What are your views?

Yes it is a very stupid and very dangerous rule. I took the L plates off and just rode at 100 km/ph as responsibly as I could to avoid being pulled over before I got my restricted. I wasn't pulled over once.

I think if you don't have L plates on and are doing 100 on the motorway (or open road) and are confident and able to handle that speed it will show in your riding and police will leave you alone.

[PHATVW]

I never actually obeyed the 70km/hr rule as it's just ridiculous and dangerous with whole line of cars getting stressed and tailgating you. It's much safer to travel at the traffic flow's speed, around 100km/hr. This is just what I did when I was on learners, not telling you should do what I did.

I think that just as long as you ride SAFE, as in being aware of your surroundings, other road users around you, your speed and their speed, indicate, check your blindspots, don't tailgate etc... then all good! Try not to attract too much attention :Police:

[Roki_nz]

I was under the impression that there was a law change or proposal to remove the 70km limit and I Think to allow learns to ride larger bikes (providing they did not go over a certain power to weight ratio). Will try and find an article or some such.

[FJRider]

I ride a 2005 Gn250. Dad rides a honda cbr1100xx blackbird. He took me for my first open road ride recently. After initially riding at 70 kmph as per lerner licence dad decided that at the rate cars were dangerously passing to over take us that it was blatantly to dangerous to continue at 70 kph only.

How many people have been riding down the motorway and not felt safe due to having to ride so slowly.

The rule is put in place to make the learners safer riders, but with everybody else traveling at 100-110kph around them it is auctually making the roads more dangerous for these beginer motorcyclists.

Personally I believe that the speed limits should be incresed to at least 90kph so that we are not in danger due to going so slow.

What are your views?

So your first open road with your father (him on a Blackbird) was along the motorway...in the holiday season... with a limit of 70 km/hr (and he knew that ???). Would it not have been safer to find routes to where you wanted to go, off the motorway ??? Or would that just be inconvenient for you... ??
So you think beginer motorcyclists should be allowed to travel at 90/100 km/hr ??? Or just on motorways...
There were reasons the laws were put in place. To stop learners dying due to lack of experience, and/or overconfidence... The law once had no restriction on engine capacity/horsepower. People died. Restrictions to what speed you are allowed to ride,were put in place, also to stop/reduce people dying.
Traveling on any open road, you must keep to as far left as is practical. More so if you are traveling slower than the main traffic flow. To impede the flow of traffic is also against the law. If you dont have the confidence to travel on any road at 70 km/hr, you find a safer (for you) one. Don't forget you are a learner...
Ignore the laws... if you choose. It costs...in more ways than one. The restriction is for a year...or less. I hope you live long enough, and can afford to see the full licence gained in that time.

[Leyton]

I would like to be mentored at 100km/hr when I finally get my learners (This Monday fingers crossed), I dont have a problem with breaking a restriction for a bit of life saving common sence! However.

As it breaks a condition of my lisence (Pending), I bealive insurance would not pay out.

So either restricted + or exemption would be the way to go.

Or somehow start a partition to change the 70km rule to some realistic compromise that allowed for a reassessment at 100km or something ?, Perhaps an additional riding class or something, Maybe even the same one you use on your restricted to fast track to your full!

[samgab]

I would like to be mentored at 100km/hr when I finally get my learners (This Monday fingers crossed), I dont have a problem with breaking a restriction for a bit of life saving common sence! However.

As it breaks a condition of my lisence (Pending), I bealive insurance would not pay out.

So either restricted + or exemption would be the way to go.

Or somehow start a partition to change the 70km rule to some realistic compromise that allowed for a reassessment at 100km or something ?, Perhaps an additional riding class or something, Maybe even the same one you use on your restricted to fast track to your full!

Yes. I too think we should have a partition for that. ;)

[FJRider]

Yes. I too think we should have a partition for that. ;)

NAH !!!! ... stick together...:yes:

[mister.koz]

Seem to remember something about LTSA looking to move to new restrictions based on the aussie one which includes getting rid of the 70km/h rule.

Proposed changes
http://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/NewPDFs/Motorcycle-Safety-RIS.pdf

From thread:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=70332

[Hoon]

I'm in favour of the 70 kph rule. It's there to save lives.

Too dangerous you say?? So whats the road toll from learner motorcyclists holding up traffic while travelling at 70 kph on NZ open roads??? At a guess I'd say zero - anyone please feel free to correct me..... upon which I'll then say 1.

Compare this to how many lives this may save?? Seems a no brainer to me.

Cyclists travel at up to 50kph and they seem to deal with it ok. If you are a learner and want to travel on the open road then you need to be prepared to keep hard left and even pull over if the queue gets too long. Common courtesy to those behind you really, no different to driving a truck, car + boat/trailer or bus. Slow vehicles on our road are nothing new and all drivers deal with it regularly, motorcycles are no different - easier to pass if anything.

Sure it sucks but there is another option......flout the law and travel faster which is what a lot of people do. I'm OK with this too, it still acheives the aim as even then learners will only do this when absolutely necessary so their 100kph time is minimal compared to fulltime if the laws were relaxed.

Those that choose to flout it more often risk being caught and I am more than happy for them to contribute to the NZ Police budget, keeping my taxes down (hey I've made enough of these "contributions" too!!).

[mister.koz]

I'm in favour of the 70 kph rule. It's there to save lives.

Too dangerous you say?? So whats the road toll from learner motorcyclists holding up traffic while travelling at 70 kph on NZ open roads??? At a guess I'd say zero - anyone please feel free to correct me..... upon which I'll then say 1.

Compare this to how many lives this may save?? Seems a no brainer to me.

Cyclists travel at up to 50kph and they seem to deal with it ok. If you are a learner and want to travel on the open road then you need to be prepared to keep hard left and even pull over if the queue gets too long. Common courtesy to those behind you really, no different to driving a truck, car + boat/trailer or bus. Slow vehicles on our road are nothing new and all drivers deal with it regularly, motorcycles are no different - easier to pass if anything.

Sure it sucks but there is another option......flout the law and travel faster which is what a lot of people do. I'm OK with this too, it still acheives the aim as even then learners will only do this when absolutely necessary so their 100kph time is minimal compared to fulltime if the laws were relaxed.

Those that choose to flout it more often risk being caught and I am more than happy for them to contribute to the NZ Police budget, keeping my taxes down (hey I've made enough of these "contributions" too!!).

It would make more sense to say that learner riders were not allowed to ride in 100km/h areas.

As with all laws and rules there's always a reason to take exception to them and disagree. With the whole seatbelts law i have heard people mentioning "that guy who was thrown from his car that then exploded" had he been wearing his seatbelt things would have been worse of course.

I reckon the 70km/h law shouldn't be there, people should ride inside their limits and do it at a safe speed, people should also ride/drive courteously.. dreams are free.

[WhatThe???]

I spose its a good law to stop some people from pushing themselves too far. I dont follow it sometimes but then it depends where I am. If im in an area doing 70 and a car or truck could come round the corner and not see me or have time to react then il go up to 100.
It just made me think of the time that happend to me on my way to Wellington. Some little old lady doing about 60/70 I went round a corner and there she was, luckily there wasnt anything coming and I went round her.

And then theres the thought of getting caught doing 100. Isnt 30ks over a loss of licence?

I dunno, just be careful if you're going to go over 70 really. As Koz said "people should also ride/drive courteously.. " but not many actually do

[Slyer]

I've done over 6000k's on a bike and I'm still not allowed to go the same speed as everyone else.
Why don't cars have to stick to to 70kph on their learners?

[samgab]

And then theres the thought of getting caught doing 100. Isnt 30ks over a loss of licence?

Nah, this is a funny little caveat. The speed limit of the road doesn't drop to 70 when you're on your learner's, the speed limit stays the same. Rather, it's a condition of your license that you don't exceed 70. So you don't get a speeding ticket, you get a $400 fine for breaching the conditions of learner's license; but if you're doing 100 in a 100 zone, you're not actually breaking the speed limit per say by 30kms. Get it? It's weird, I know.

Sound's like you're a safe responsible rider though. Keep it up :)

[gixxer-king]

yea i love that bit, its either safe or its not. argh anyways just ask for a special exemption to go straight to your full from learners. saves dicking about.

[mister.koz]

I've done over 6000k's on a bike and I'm still not allowed to go the same speed as everyone else.
Why don't cars have to stick to to 70kph on their learners?

Car drivers have to have an experienced driver in the car with them, its not possible to do that really on a bike hehe

[mister.koz]

yea i love that bit, its either safe or its not. argh anyways just ask for a special exemption to go straight to your full from learners. saves dicking about.

I looked into that but sadly this sort of thing usually comes with restrictions that stop people from riding RR's.... boned that idea for me cause i already had my zx6rr.

[WhatThe???]

Nah, this is a funny little caveat. The speed limit of the road doesn't drop to 70 when you're on your learner's, the speed limit stays the same. Rather, it's a condition of your license that you don't exceed 70. So you don't get a speeding ticket, you get a $400 fine for breaching the conditions of learner's license; but if you're doing 100 in a 100 zone, you're not actually breaking the speed limit per say by 30kms. Get it? It's weird, I know.

Sound's like you're a safe responsible rider though. Keep it up :)

ahh righto cheers :) im easily confused lol.

I try...would help if cars did the same but we all know thats not going to happen

[mister.koz]

ahh righto cheers :) im easily confused lol.

I try...would help if cars did the same but we all know thats not going to happen

Hey mischief :) just give cars lots of room, you will be sweet.

[gixxer-king]

I looked into that but sadly this sort of thing usually comes with restrictions that stop people from riding RR's.... boned that idea for me cause i already had my zx6rr.

na, keep hassling and eventually (like all govt departments) its less work for them to say ok fine whatever then to keep replying to your letters

[Ixion]

I've done over 6000k's on a bike and I'm still not allowed to go the same speed as everyone else.
Why don't cars have to stick to to 70kph on their learners?

Wow ! Really ? 6000 kilometres? Truely? I wouldn't have thought anyone could have done that great a distance on a bike. I agree, after 6000km, it's hardly as if there could be anything else left to learn.

I hope I get to that state one day. But cheer up, untill I get there you can at least take consolation in the fact that you go faster than me.

[Slyer]

Wow ! Really ? 6000 kilometres? Truely? I wouldn't have thought anyone could have done that great a distance on a bike. I agree, after 6000km, it's hardly as if there could be anything else left to learn.

I hope I get to that state one day. But cheer up, untill I get there you can at least take consolation in the fact that you go faster than me.
6000k's is not a lot I know. I'm not saying I deserve a license to ride more than a 250cc or anything like that I'm just saying I deserve to ride at 100kph.
I still have a lot to learn but I don't see how avoiding the open road is supposed to help me learn.

[samgab]

6000k's is not a lot I know. I'm not saying I deserve a license to ride more than a 250cc or anything like that I'm just saying I deserve to ride at 100kph.
I still have a lot to learn but I don't see how avoiding the open road is supposed to help me learn.

It's only a very temporary thing. Just go get your restricted. It's really easy.

[FJRider]

6000k's is not a lot I know. I'm not saying I deserve a license to ride more than a 250cc or anything like that I'm just saying I deserve to ride at 100kph.
I still have a lot to learn but I don't see how avoiding the open road is supposed to help me learn.

Even if you think you deserve to ride at 100 km's/hr , the law says you are not allowed to.
You have a lot to learn because you are a learner...
Get your restricted...

[Slyer]

I know what the law says...
You still have to wait 6 months.

[Brooke]

Picture this, you are on your learners, you are riding to work. One country town to another. You are only llowed to travel 70km and a truck is allowed to travel 90. Truck (and trailer) gets sick of travelling behind you doing your legal limit so passes you.... on a corner!!!! I don't really think it is safety at all. Accident waiting to happen if you ask me!

[Ixion]

6000k's is not a lot I know. I'm not saying I deserve a license to ride more than a 250cc or anything like that I'm just saying I deserve to ride at 100kph.
I still have a lot to learn but I don't see how avoiding the open road is supposed to help me learn.

Yes. I was a tad harsh. I apologise. FWIW, I don't agree with the 70kph thing.

But, bear in mind, before they introduced the GDLS it was worse. On the old Provisional licence you were limited to 50kph. So 70 was a relaxation. (Of course, no one took any notice of the 50 limit eiether. Though if the neighbourhood snake noticed you, your full test could be a bit tougher)

I guess the problem is, that 50kph was so low that there was no way anyone would venture onto a motorway or open road (which I guess was the intent : and back then there were bugger all motorways anyway). 70kph is fast enough to make the motorway tempting.

[FJRider]

Picture this, you are on your learners, you are riding to work. One country town to another. You are only llowed to travel 70km and a truck is allowed to travel 90. Truck (and trailer) gets sick of travelling behind you doing your legal limit so passes you.... on a corner!!!! I don't really think it is safety at all. Accident waiting to happen if you ask me!

Then pull over and let him pass.... Don't, and he may kill you trying to pass... Pretty simple really. Live, or risk death...you choose. If you are watching your mirrors, you'll see him coming...

[FJRider]

You still have to wait 6 months.

Thats a lifetime...eh !!! ... hang on... thats about two school terms, Your mum was pregnant with you for longer than that.

Impatience of youth...

[Slyer]

It's another year and a half after that before I can ride a 400cc bike.

[FJRider]

It's another year and a half after that before I can ride a 400cc bike.

But you can ride the 250 at 100km's... Thats thing about learning... it takes time to go through all the process. Just live long enough to get there...

[Slyer]

I really wish there was an accurate way of determining how many kilometres you have done.
Say at 5000 you can get your restricted and get your full at around 30000 or something like that.
Anyway, I'm bored of this topic.

[Jantar]

So your first open road with your father (him on a Blackbird) was along the motorway...in the holiday season... .....

If you look at the date of the OP I do believe you'll find it was well before the holiday season.

I am another one against the 70 kmh limit. It was introduced at a time that the open road speed limit was 80 kmh, and the heavy vehicle speed limit was 70 kmh as was a car towing a trailer. When the speed limit was raised from 80 kmh to 100 kmh, the learner limit didn't follow suit, although the heavy vehicle limit and car towing trailer limit both were raised.

One of the arguments often put forward against a higher speed limit just for motorcycles is that it is dangerous to have vehicles travelling at different speeds, yet here is a law that forces learner riders to do something dangerous.

[FJRider]

If you look at the date of the OP I do believe you'll find it was well before the holiday season.

I am another one against the 70 kmh limit. It was introduced at a time that the open road speed limit was 80 kmh, and the heavy vehicle speed limit was 70 kmh as was a car towing a trailer. When the speed limit was raised from 80 kmh to 100 kmh, the learner limit didn't follow suit, although the heavy vehicle limit and car towing trailer limit both were raised.

One of the arguments often put forward against a higher speed limit just for motorcycles is that it is dangerous to have vehicles travelling at different speeds, yet here is a law that forces learner riders to do something dangerous.

Its holiday season all year round in Auckland isn't it... ???
Regardless of when it was introduced... it is still law. If it will be changed at some time...fine. But it has not been changed, yet. Because greater minds than ours, that have the power to change the law, have not yet made that law change... Perhaps a Petition to your local of Minister of transport, might be in order. Or at least a letter asking if it will and when it might be. A letter to an MP is free. NO stamp required.
ASK SILLY QUESTIONS...

Motorcycling is dangerous. If by any chance you want to be on any road, as a learner, with cars, trucks (with trailers), busses, all traveling at 100 km's per hour...with you on a 250, or less... that is dangerous...

[Jantar]

...Motorcycling is dangerous. If by any chance you want to be on any road, as a learner, with cars, trucks (with trailers), busses, all traveling at 100 km's per hour...with you on a 250, or less... that is dangerous...
So how did you learn?

I started with a Jawa 175 that had a top speed of 45 - 50 mph back when the open road speed limit was 55 mph.

[Hoon]

Picture this, you are on your learners, you are riding to work. One country town to another. You are only llowed to travel 70km and a truck is allowed to travel 90. Truck (and trailer) gets sick of travelling behind you doing your legal limit so passes you.... on a corner!!!! I don't really think it is safety at all. Accident waiting to happen if you ask me!

Picture this, you are on your learners, you are riding to work. One country town to another. You are only llowed to travel 70km however you think "screw this learner bullshit, I've got this riding thing sussed and I won't crash", so you speed up to 100kph. Sometime later you misjudge a corner approaching it faster than you thought. Being a learner you lack the experience of dealing with "mistakes" and as a result you momentarily freeze in fear, target fixate on the oncoming vehicle and end up colliding head on with it. This isn't an accident waiting to happen, it DOES happen and costs lives.

However describing worse case scenarios is good for getting across a point of view but is rarely an accurate picture of the real world. They are only the two extremes with the truth lying somewhere in between.

[Slyer]

There is a huge huge difference between someone who is still learning to ride and someone on their learner license.

[Ixion]

Oh yes, indeed. It takes MANY years riding after you graduate off your learners licence before you even start learning how to ride. Nearly half a century since my learners licence , I think I'm just starting to learn how to ride. Long way to go though.Gosh I miss the days just after I got my full when I knew everything there was about riding.

[Slyer]

Cynical old crackpot indeed.

[WhatThe???]

Hey mischief :) just give cars lots of room, you will be sweet.

Heya :) mischief??me?? mwahaha...:eek:

I try, but man they love to just get right up my exhaust!! ahh!! thats when i think of the stone theory...hehe its ok half the time though

Originally Posted by Brooke
Picture this, you are on your learners, you are riding to work. One country town to another. You are only llowed to travel 70km and a truck is allowed to travel 90. Truck (and trailer) gets sick of travelling behind you doing your legal limit so passes you.... on a corner!!!! I don't really think it is safety at all. Accident waiting to happen if you ask me!

Im with you on that one!

[HamishAhern]

the 70kmh rule is definately required, most learners couldn't successfully navigate a 70km/h corner at 100km/h. I'm not talking about anyone on here, because you guys are petrol heads, I'm talking about the real learners straight out of school.

You got a ticket, boo woo. You should have stuck to the rules. Or at least not follow the L plate rule and you would have been sweet. taken you L plate off and ride like a sensible person. You can even take passengers if you take your L plate off. lol. You need to learn to blend into the roadways without being noticed, cops can spot an idiot with an L plate doing 110kmhr a mile away.

[Ixion]

So how did you learn?

I started with a Jawa 175 that had a top speed of 45 - 50 mph back when the open road speed limit was 55 mph.

See. Classic example. Speed maniac, starting out directly on a large capacity fast bike. Whereas sensible folk like me started on a 125cc Beeza Bantam with a top speed of 40mph.

[Ixion]

Cynical old crackpot indeed.

That I am indeed. Seriously though dude, I'm not meaning to diss you. But at 6000 km, that's what, about 3 months ? , you haven't even BEGUN learning how to ride. You are still at the stage where you don't even know how much you don't know.

And the likeihood of you , and all the others in the same situation, surviving (yes, motorcycling IS dangerous, you can die doing it, and many do) depends to quite a significnat degree on realising this.

[Slyer]

I know!
I know!
We're not even on the same page here.

[Jantar]

the 70kmh rule is definately required, most learners couldn't successfully navigate a 70km/h corner at 100km/h. ......
Oh. I wasn't aware that motorcyclists had to be able to navigate a 70kmh at 100 kmh. :eek5: I always thought they should be learning to read the road and determine how best to navigate the corner without concentrating on any particular speed.

Maybe you don't actually realize that if you are in a 100 kmh area, that doesn't mean you must ride at 100 kmh all the time. A lower speed is perfectly acceptable if conditions warrant it.

[Jantar]

See. Classic example. Speed maniac, starting out directly on a large capacity fast bike. Whereas sensible folk like me started on a 125cc Beeza Bantam with a top speed of 40mph.

I refuse to believe that any Bantam could only do a max of 40 mph. Every single one I've ever ridden had the ports polished, the head ground for higher compression and basically modified in every way possible. :lol:

[Ixion]

Oh yes. Once I finshed hacking it , it could do 60mph. Sometimes. You didn't need to grind the head, though, just hacksaw a bit off.

[FJRider]

There is a huge huge difference between someone who is still learning to ride and someone on their learner license.

I'm still learning... How come you know so much...

[FJRider]

Cynical old crackpot indeed.

But he has survived to be a cynical OLD crackpot... Read my sig.

[FJRider]

So how did you learn?


On a Kawasaki 100 (Hi/low gearbox) Restricted to 50 kms/hr (learners)till my full. Still riding the 100 then. Was lucky to reach the open road limit without a following breeze. Thats all I had... so I rode it. Toured the south island on it. Trucks weren't as big then...just seemed like it.

[FJRider]

Oh. I wasn't aware that motorcyclists had to be able to navigate a 70kmh at 100 kmh. :eek5: I always thought they should be learning to read the road and determine how best to navigate the corner without concentrating on any particular speed.

Maybe you don't actually realize that if you are in a 100 kmh area, that doesn't mean you must ride at 100 kmh all the time. A lower speed is perfectly acceptable if conditions warrant it.

Keeping to 70 kms/hr on a learners... on a 250 cc, is about as difficult as keeping to 100 kms/hr on a full... on a 1200 cc ... you know you want to, you know you can... just not allowed...

[Roki_nz]

Seem to remember something about LTSA looking to move to new restrictions based on the aussie one which includes getting rid of the 70km/h rule.

Proposed changes
http://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/NewPDFs/Motorcycle-Safety-RIS.pdf

From thread:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=70332

Thanks for thoses links

Do you know if anyone has heard anything offical from the LTSA recently regarding the proposed changes

[mister.koz]

Govt tends to move slowly on stuff tho. I heard from somewhere "late 09" but i can't confirm where sorry.

[Slyer]

I'm liking the bits in that pdf

[mister.koz]

Yeah looks quite sensible.

[archie-no2]

Hi thanks for your comments

I emailed the minister for transport a month ago but have not had any reply.
Phil Goff lives not to far from me do you think it is worth talking to him about it?

[Slyer]

Take a hostage with you if possible.

[EatOrBeEaten]

took the m-way home from New Lynn to Panmure last night- fuck 70kph for a laugh! I felt vulnerable and unsafe, the Southern motorway is no place to be sitting outside the flow of traffic O_O.

I stuck the 70 limit as much as I could, but there were several times when the speed limit was the safe limit. I'd rather have a fine than my brains splattered all over the hard shoulder....

[roy.nz]

Mate when i was a learner and restricted licence holder the only time i had my L plates on was when i went to go for my next licence. I hated the 70kph rule so i never followed it always kept to 100kph and luckly never got caught. I think alllearners should be allowed to go the true speed limit to make things safer for everyone.

[firefighter]

yeah, I think it's easy for those preaching to forget what it's like being stuck at 70km......I never ever obyed that rule, it's unneccessary. It just puts you in harms way and into situations where cagers (and understandably) will make a stupid passing decision or bully said motorcyclist out of the way.
And to say stay off the open road on your learners is foolish too.....you've got to do it sometime- by no means should you have to wait 6 months to ride on the motorway and open road! How fucken boring is that?!

[mister.koz]

yeah, I think it's easy for those preaching to forget what it's like being stuck at 70km......I never ever obyed that rule, it's unneccessary. It just puts you in harms way and into situations where cagers (and understandably) will make a stupid passing decision or bully said motorcyclist out of the way.
And to say stay off the open road on your learners is foolish too.....you've got to do it sometime- by no means should you have to wait 6 months to ride on the motorway and open road! How fucken boring is that?!

I said keeping out of 100km areas makes more sense than not being able to ride at the speed limit.

People should ride or the conditions within their ability regardless of what the signs say.

If you are not comfortable doing 100km/h then stay outa 100km/h area's or practice on empty roads.

[firefighter]

I said keeping out of 100km areas makes more sense than not being able to ride at the speed limit.

People should ride or the conditions within their ability regardless of what the signs say.

If you are not comfortable doing 100km/h then stay outa 100km/h area's or practice on empty roads.

who said I was quoting you? :girlfight:

yes obviously you should'nt go out onto a state highway/whatever unless your ready, i'm just saying I don't think that just because your a learner does'nt mean you should'nt go there.......as long as your ready of course.....and part of that is needing to ride at speeds above 70km so your not a danger.......


People should ride or the conditions within their ability regardless of what the signs say.

.............well duuuhh! :yawn: :whistle: :lol:

[mister.koz]

who said I was quoting you? :girlfight:

yes obviously you should'nt go out onto a state highway/whatever unless your ready, i'm just saying I don't that I don't think that just because your a learner does'nt mean you should'nt go there.......as long as your ready of course.....and part of that is needing to ride at speeds above 70km so your not a danger.......



.............well duuuhh! :yawn: :whistle: :lol:

Ha! sorry i probably sounded like a grumpy bugger :)

It is surprising the amount of people that don't ride within their ability tho.

[Ixion]

..
And to say stay off the open road on your learners is foolish too.....you've got to do it sometime- by no means should you have to wait 6 months to ride on the motorway and open road! How fucken boring is that?!

Perhaps those who wrote the rule did so with other priorities in mind than preventing boredom. Personally , I'm all in favour of boredom on the roads.

[EatOrBeEaten]

It's not about boredom though, is it? It's about being a safe road user, and it is not safe riding at 70kph on the motorway!. In the UK you'd fail your test riding at 70 in a 100 zone (and that can be part of the test), it's drummed into you that you need to be in the flow of traffic to ride safely.

I'm not some moronic girl-racer type, I'm someone who needs a bike to get to work and back and get about Auckland, preferably without smearing herself over an off-ramp.

[mister.koz]

Perhaps those who wrote the rule did so with other priorities in mind than preventing boredom. Personally , I'm all in favour of boredom on the roads.

Nah man, bordom is boring.

[firefighter]

Perhaps those who wrote the rule did so with other priorities in mind than preventing boredom.

Yes well obviously Ixion!.......that does'nt mean it was the right decision- EVERY person I know rode faster than that on their learners, and guess what.....they're still here.....(touch wood......very expensive classy wood lol) no major incidents came from riding faster than 70.

Really if your smart and work up to it (should'nt take you too long really FFS) I don't see the necessity to wait until you have your resticted, it's a piece of plastic, not experience, no-one seems to have a problem with L-plater cagers going 100km/h......


Personally , I'm all in favour of boredom on the roads.

good for you.

I think you'll find i'm referring to them riding on the open road with that statement though....not the speed limit.

[Ixion]

It's not about boredom though, is it? It's about being a safe road user, and it is not safe riding at 70kph on the motorway!. In the UK you'd fail your test riding at 70 in a 100 zone (and that can be part of the test), it's drummed into you that you need to be in the flow of traffic to ride safely.

I'm not some moronic girl-racer type, I'm someone who needs a bike to get to work and back and get about Auckland, preferably without smearing herself over an off-ramp.

Just being a devil's advocate here, maybe the solution would be to a route that does not include motorways. I can't think of anywhere in Auckland city which can only be reached by motorway .

An interesting comment recently from a Transit gentleman (the conversation was actually about mopeds on motorways, but learners came up). When motorways were first introduced , years ago, the list of prohibited traffic (which is now only pedestrians and cycles) was much longer. It included both mopeds and learner drivers (and horse drawn traffic !) . .Both prohibitions seem quite sensible to me, but have been dropped over the years. Mr Transit suggested that might be reviewed. A motorway is not a good place to learn to drive (or ride)

So the solution that emerges may be that learners are no longer restricted to 70kph , but are forbidden on motorways. This seems quite sensible, it covers the needs of rural dwellers , who needs must use open roads if they are to leave their driveways, whilst keeping learner drivers off the unforgiving arena of the motorway.

After all, if we are to accept (personally, I do not ) that learner drivers know all there is to know after their 6 months (or a fraction of that as some would argue) then what is the point of the restricted licence ? There must be some learning experience still in store once the 6R test is passed.

[Ixion]

..!. In the UK you'd fail your test riding at 70 in a 100 zone (and that can be part of the test), it's drummed into you that you need to be in the flow of traffic to ride safely.

...

Uh huh. As indeed in NZ. What you do not mention however is that in the UK a motorcycle learner may not use motorways AT ALL. Problem solved. I think the Transit dude I referred to in my previous post is onto it. Abolish the 70kph rules, and prohibit learners on motorways.

Amazing isn't it how many people tell us how wonderful things are 'back home', but forget to mention the little limitations that accompany the nirvana so fondly remembered.

[firefighter]

After all, if we are to accept (personally, I do not ) that learner drivers know all there is to know after their 6 months (or a fraction of that as some would argue) then what is the point of the restricted licence ? There must be some learning experience still in store once the 6R test is passed.

So, because I have my full licence....I know all? My mother, was entitled to sit her full, and did, a long time before I was, because she was older than me, and all due respect to her (of course), she is an absolutely dangerous rider.....(she will tell you herself that her skill level is abysmal) sounds harsh but true......so she was more competent than I?

I'll mention at the time I was already qualified to drive big red fire trucks at speed through traffic (yes...even on the motorway lol) cars, and trucks up to class 4, yet as I was on my learners I needed more experience to be considered ok to ride on the motorway? That's just obtuse, I knew where the accelerator and brakes were, rode around for a couple of weeks getting a feel for it, and rode up the motorway (the big scary straight line that it is) without an issue.....I fail to see what was such a big issue with that.....had my mother tried this (ON HER FULL I MUST MENTION) she probably would have had an accident.........so to be honest, I believe your heart is in the right place......but I don't think personally that it is necessarily a good idea to ban the L-platers from the big bad sacry wary motorway, if you feel confident and are ready, I can't see an issue with it, it's part of progressing and learning - hence the L-plate.

Besides on your restricted you have no L-plate, so if you can only go on the m-way on your restricted, well the cagers now have no idicator as to the fact your inexperienced.

[Hoon]

It's not about boredom though, is it? It's about being a safe road user, and it is not safe riding at 70kph on the motorway!.

As I've mentioned twice now without reply from the anti-70kph brigade, no one has ever died from obeying the 70kph rule on the open road so how dangerous is it really? Sure it may not be safe but it is safer than allowing ALL learners to ride at 100kph on opens roads.

The 70kph rule is the lesser of two evils. I'm not saying its perfect but some kind of constraint needs to be placed on learners for their own good. Until a better solution comes along I'm all for the 70kph rule.

[EatOrBeEaten]

Uh huh. As indeed in NZ. What you do not mention however is that in the UK a motorcycle learner may not use motorways AT ALL. Problem solved. I think the Transit dude I referred to in my previous post is onto it. Abolish the 70kph rules, and prohibit learners on motorways.

Amazing isn't it how many people tell us how wonderful things are 'back home', but forget to mention the little limitations that accompany the nirvana so fondly remembered.
Er, it was for comparison. I haven't moved 12000 miles just to whinge about how much better it was back home, thanks.

No, you can't use the motorways on an L plate in the UK. You also can't ride anything over 125cc, but you can travel at 100kph on A-roads on that 125. You could also have a licence that allowed you to ride a Hayabusa four days after you first sat on a 125. Different ways of doing things, no reason they can't be compared, is there? From what I heard the CBT was piloted here not too long ago. It's possible, just possible that other people's experiences elsewhere might have something to offer the discussion, no?

As for not using m-ways, I'll be looking very closely into alterative routes and so on as I'm in no hurry to get cut up, tailgated and made to feel under threat like that again.

I agree that it would make more sense to ban learners from the M-way altogether anyway, to restrict the speed we can travel at on fast roads just seems ludicrous.

[mister.koz]

As I've mentioned twice now without reply from the anti-70kph brigade, no one has ever died from obeying the 70kph rule on the open road so how dangerous is it really? Sure it may not be safe but it is safer than allowing ALL learners to ride at 100kph on opens roads.

The 70kph rule is the lesser of two evils. I'm not saying its perfect but some kind of constraint needs to be placed on learners for their own good. Until a better solution comes along I'm all for the 70kph rule.

Its not possible to retort that statement because there are no statistics for or against.

I would like to see the figures for learner riders who obey the 70km/h limit vs people who don't and the amounts of accidents per rider, of course a truer test would be comparing how long they were riding for.

Its a simple fact that travelling 30km/h slower than the other traffic is a safety hazard, i tried it on my first 2 250cc bikes and gave up quite quickly after a few of really close calls with people passing like wankers.

[sparky.scott]

I think it should be abolished ASAP! It makes learner riders a target almost and as has been said here many times, you get the faster traffic passing like a bunch of knob jockeys and there are way too many close calls.

As for me I only ever used mine once, and that was to sit my restricted test and it broke in half about half way through the test (testing officer didnt even care).

[oldrider]

Ridiculous decree by some non motorcyclist impulsive rule makers!

It (the rule) is not obeyed and not policed, therefore it "works". Yeah right! :oi-grr:

Get rid of it! :niceone: John.

[Jantar]

As I've mentioned twice now without reply from the anti-70kph brigade, no one has ever died from obeying the 70kph rule on the open road so how dangerous is it really? .....

Where did you get that statistic from? The MoT do not generally publish the speed that any driver was going at the time of the crash, and the statistics do not break down accidents by class of licence and speed travelled.

Or have you simply arrived at that statistic because no rider on here has answered your question by saying "Yes, I was killed at 70 kmh on the open road."?

[NOWOOL]

Where did you get that statistic from? The MoT do not generally publish the speed that any driver was going at the time of the crash, and the statistics do not break down accidents by class of licence and speed travelled.

Or have you simply arrived at that statistic because no rider on here has answered your question by saying "Yes, I was killed at 70 kmh on the open road."?

LOL! Yeah, that's how a true Research Professor does it; it's all how in how you phrase the questions!

["Rambo"]

Sorry if this seems abrupt but I'm kinda passionate about this issue...

70kph where traffic is moving at +100 kph scares the hell outta me, and where the hell am I supposed to ride that doesn't have a 100k limit? to the corner dairy and back? :argh:

It's STUPID!!!

Aren't power restrictions on our bikes enough?

P.s. Just outta interest, how many people actually stick or stuck to this law on their L's?

I did originally, but I have a friend, who is a cop and a bike owner. We talked about this issue, and he explained that at 70km, a truck and tailor unit passing you can put you in the ditch, so sit at 100, at least you don't lose your license if you do get pulled up, be polite and honest, and explain your actions for the speed, most time they will let you off and tell you to be careful. At 70km we are just a hazard on the road. I now sit at 100 on my L plate, but only will have it on for another week or less, YEAH!!! :2thumbsup

[GrayWolf]

Abolish it! Learners should have responsibility to ride to their own ability.
Waaaaaa :crybaby:

Therin lies the paradox. Responsibility and ability. Like many 'old farts' I was a teenaged learner (16) and in the UK restricted to a 50cc Moped (max 80kph) for a whole year even if a the 'moped' test was passed. And still on L plates at 17 with a 250. I agree the regulation is a little outdated for traffic speeds. The 50cc rule in the UK was a joke. (Errrrrrr It isnt an AS100 engine in My AP50 oshifer). However, reality is even if an older rider climbs aboard a bike they still have a lot of new skills to learn. What is a little unfortunate in NZ is that 'motorways' are not motorways in the 'European sense'. A high speed road the is a direct link between cities built specificaly. Here (NZ) Motortways are basicaly 'upgraded' trunk roads. SImple rule in Europe, No L plates on the motorway, car or bike.
You can be responsible, and not have sufficient 'skills'. Although like most youngsters, the old buggers knew nowt when 16, by early 20's? I was amazed how much the 'old farts' had learnt.
It's a recognised fact that the male brain does not develope completely (Frontal lobes) untill early to mid 20's. Hence the high level of risk taking and highly anti social behaviour under the affluence of inkahol.
Should there be a restriction? Yes, 70kph? not really practical. A speed governed and power/weight restriction that is incorporated into a WoF assessment? Expensive but maybe the way to go? Reality is they introduced a 125cc law for learners (early 1980's) in the UK due to high power 250's with a 12HP limit...... the kids simply de restricted then to do about 80mph. So maybe a compulsory 6 months on a GN or SR 250 type bike?.........

Hehehe! Wait for the howls of protest

[3umph]

I did originally, but I have a friend, who is a cop and a bike owner. We talked about this issue, and he explained that at 70km, a truck and tailor unit passing you can put you in the ditch, so sit at 100, at least you don't lose your license if you do get pulled up, be polite and honest, and explain your actions for the speed, most time they will let you off and tell you to be careful. At 70km we are just a hazard on the road. I now sit at 100 on my L plate, but only will have it on for another week or less, YEAH!!! :2thumbsup

Totally agree, when me and my wife (a L plate rider) went down to the magpie we removed her L plate and told her to ride at 100km and keep with the flow..

not only would it of been her riding at 70km on the open road but mine and one other bike having to stay with her which would of compounded the dangers and no doubt pissed quite a few other motorists off in the process

I agree in the main centres to stay off the motorways on L plates but state highways and open roads should be different....

["Rambo"]

Totally agree, when me and my wife (a L plate rider) went down to the magpie we removed her L plate and told her to ride at 100km and keep with the flow..

not only would it of been her riding at 70km on the open road but mine and one other bike having to stay with her which would of compounded the dangers and no doubt pissed quite a few other motorists off in the process

I agree in the main centres to stay off the motorways on L plates but state highways and open roads should be different....

I still ride the open road with my L plate showing, its there for a reason, even thou I am very confidant on the open road, but when another bike comes roaring up to me, I hang to the left as a curtious bugger to let him pass. most of the time I even get a nice wave when they pass. And eventually catch up to them, if lucky and have a coffee and smoke or hang behind with them.

Looks like this has brought up the old issue...... TIME TO CHANGE THE LAW!!!:angry2:

[specter]

i think i rode on the open road at 70kmh..... once... its way too dangerous i got passed by a truck on a windy day and nearly ended up in a ditch!!! the law has to go

[Markw336]

yes i totally agree 70km is way to slow your holding up heaps of traffic and then they get the impression your just a slow driver which can trigger road rage and people yell at you for obiding the law?
also its very dangearous when they over take you

[LankyBastard]

I have to say that it does seem totally out of place! Imagine the uproar if all learner car drivers had to travel at 70km/h!!

I have always found it far to dangerous to have everyone passing you at 100km/h, and as for trying to stay on roads with a 70 or less speed limit really limits your ability to improve your skills or confidence.

Bring on my restricted!!!!:eek:

[Jonno.]

Learner car drivers can't drive by themselves.
It's a hard law. I mean it's not your right to be on the road, but 70km is dangerous.

[skinman]

stupid rule. my 50 will do that (flat on seat downhill with tail wind)
when I get more power will be ignoring 70 limit

[chef]

take off your L plate and go for it!