Law change - Daytime headlights and ban on handheld devices

[Kinje]

How does the hands free rule impact hands free systems for motorcyclists, eg bluetooth helmets?

It seems from one media report I've seen that only systems hard wired into cars may be used. Are systems that are built into helmets accepatable? What about other setups out there that people might use but are not built into the helmet?

[Ixion]

Probably should have been some sort of heads up so people could've made submissions back last year from the Classics scene. ..

We did .

[Genestho]

Oh, enmass? Were you consulted, was this as a group? Or as individuals?

[Nasty]

How does the hands free rule impact hands free systems for motorcyclists, eg bluetooth helmets?

It seems from one media report I've seen that only systems hard wired into cars may be used. Are systems that are built into helmets accepatable? What about other setups out there that people might use but are not built into the helmet?

Can't see it being an issue .. I have bluetooth and no one realises when i am talking except the person I am talking to. Its handsfree - and its not in a car.

[Swoop]

Some of us remember back when you didn't need a shoephone in your car. We had one at home, one at work and if needing to make a call on the move there were red boxes on the footpath containing a telephone, that you could drop a coin into (or tap...) to make a call.

Luckily modern shoephones have an "off" button. Main problem is that humans have a pre-disposition to answer the fucking things. (You can drive some people mad, sitting in a room with a ringing telephone, whilst you totally ignore it!).

[MaxB]

sadly the media is only focused on the cell phone side of the legislation which will be enough to push through ill thought out changes re bike headlights.

As has been said many times: for 90% of riders with hard wired lights or modern alternators running with lights high beam/fog or whatever... running lights isnt an issue, but for an old bike or scooter that has lights that are 6 volt or relate to engine speed we dont have any benefit of high beam. I recall doing a 12 hour endurance trial on my BSA where my passenger took a dolphin torch, it helped!
I did a run recently where from time to time I checked my headlight and it stayed intact and going, I was impressed.

This law wont stop me riding, but my lights have never been reliable and are largely for WOF compliance. So I may be getting some tickets in future I can do without.

But arent all bikers criminals anyway?

According to this:

http://landtransport.govt.nz/rules/q...le-2009.html#4

pre 1980 bikes are exempt so you can breath easy. There is a thread over in Classics about it.

[Ixion]

According to this:

http://landtransport.govt.nz/rules/q...le-2009.html#4

pre 1980 bikes are exempt so you can breath easy. There is a thread over in Classics about it.

However, no such exclusion is to be found in the Draft Rule . I'll believe it when I see it

[Atlas]

What with the contradiction between the Q&A section on the LTSA site and the Yellow draft legislation, I rang the LTSA and the call centre advised that the Q&A only came out last week so is current while the draft correspondence can be expected to be updated. They expect the exception to stand.

The Q&A says: How will the Rule be amended in relation to the use of headlamps on motor cycles and mopeds?

Mopeds and motorcycles riders are required to ride with their headlamps on or, if fitted, daytime running lamps, during daylight hours. This requirement applies only to riders of mopeds or motorcycles manufactured after 1 January1980.

So when some tin top runs me down and says "ha! you didnt have your lights on", with my dying breath I can reply "my bikes pre '80 so you're getting a ticket..." before going to the great winding road on the other side.

[swbarnett]

some study ages ago showed company vehicles with lights on all the time crashed less -

There is a problem with this type of study. The results are inconclusive and cannot be relied on. Is it that having your lights on makes you safer or is it that only careful drivers run with their lights on?

[peasea]

Eternal vigilance is our lot, eh?

Always has been, always will be.

[Hinny]

I think women look better with their headlights on.

[SixPackBack]

I think women look better with their headlights on.

Only on full beam

[Swoop]

It appears that more rules are appearing, especially so for psyclists.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10591473

Banning hand-held phone calls while driving and requiring motorcyclists to ride with lights on at all times are just two of a raft of road-user rule changes.

Eighteen other changes coming into force on November 1 will run the gamut of life on the road, from towing speeds to child-safety locks in taxis and the use of motorcycles on footpaths to deliver mail or newspapers.

Three are aimed at giving cyclists more riding flexibility, but another prescribes a $100 fine for anyone riding a bicycle, mobility scooter or skateboard at a hazardous speed on pathways shared by pedestrians.

A definition of just how fast is hazardous is absent from Transport Agency background information, although 10km/h is proposed as the maximum for motorcycles or mopeds using footpaths with the permission of local councils for delivery purposes.

Vehicles towing others without rigid towing systems will also be restricted to a maximum 50km/h, compared with 90km/h for hauling trailers on towbars on the open road.

Cyclists will be able to make "hook turns" at four-way intersections, meaning they will be able to accomplish a right-turn in two manoeuvres, starting by veering left into a side street.

They must then wait at the head of the side street for a green light before riding straight across an intersection.

The Transport Agency says the double manoeuvre may often prove safer for cyclists than expecting them to move from the extreme left of an approach road to the centre line, across two or more lanes of traffic, before turning right.

Nor will cyclists be required to offer hand signals where they risk losing control, although the agency says they should still try to give other road users clear indications of their intentions.

An existing requirement for cycle lights to illuminate the road up to 100m ahead at night will also be relaxed, so they need only be visible for that distance, although an infringement fee of $150 will remain.

Cycling Advocates Network spokesman Stephen McKernan said these were all sensible measures, and he also welcomed a 50m limit on how far general traffic will be allowed to travel in shared bus and cycling lanes to allow them to turn left or to park.

But Auckland City transport spokesman Councillor John Lister said cyclists had to be mindful that the rules were for everyone and it would be unacceptable for them to begin "hook turns" against red lights, which he understood was a common cause of complaints from other road users.

The Transport Agency says motorists will also be required to give way to people who are "obviously" waiting to use a pedestrian crossing, rather than waiting for them to set foot on the crossing before stopping.

Taxis will be allowed to use child safety locks, but only at a passenger's request and an agency-approved sign must be displayed at the outer door handle. That follows concerns raised by passengers about possibly being locked in, or feeling trapped.

In other changes, vehicles carrying officials - such as fisheries officers - authorised to stop drivers will be allowed to display blue beacons as clear signals of their powers, and buses will no longer have to stop at level crossings controlled by flashing lights unless these are operating.

The agency says that follows reports of motorists overtaking buses that have stopped, perhaps unaware they did so as a legal requirement.

Veteran motorcycling safety consultant Alan Kirk is pleased with a change allowing riders to use lights on both sides of their machines to offer greater visibility than single headlights.

[jubilant]

im not sure if these will be legal on the roads here, maybe someone with more knowledge could clear it up for us but im going to make one...

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED_...cle_Headlight/

my hyo will have one modern part on it!!!

[skidMark]

I think women look better with their headlights on.

Lights are on, nobodys home.