Scared to ride

[SMOKEU]

Not sure but maybe you should go find out
Seeing you will get done for drink driving riding your push bike you muppet

There is no law which states something like "Thou shalt not ride a pushbike if thy breath alcohol exceeds XXX micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath". So no, I won't get in shit with the police for riding my pushbike pissed.

[modboy]

i definately agree with motorbikes being safer then push bikes. when i crashed my 250 a few years back, i came out better off then when i crash my bmx at lower speed. in saying that i did have all my gear on when riding the 250.
maybe cyclist should swap lycra for leather?

Fucking Bullshit
anyone that agrees with this is either in denial or completely deluded.

7 cyclists killed in NZ so far in 2009.
ref. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...0599817&pnum=2

25 motorcyclists (as at JULY) - and we all know we can add a few more sadly.
ref. http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times...in-five-months

And there are over 1 million people riding bicycles in NZ.
ref. http://can.org.nz/system/files/CAN_NZ+Cycling+Facts.pdf

Fact is cycling is far far more safer than riding a motorbike - I guess the "feeling of safety" is just our perception.

It would be nice if this debate included even a moderate degree of fact.

[Latte]

Fucking Bullshit
anyone that agrees with this is either in denial or completely deluded.

7 cyclists killed in NZ so far in 2009.

25 motorcyclists (as at JULY) - and we all know we can add a few more sadly.
ref. http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times...in-five-months

And there are thousands more people riding bicycles than motorcycles/scooters.

It would be nice if this debate included even a moderate degree of fact.

Where do you get the figures of thousands more cyclists? Is that total (ie mountainbike, bmx etc) or are you talking purely road/commuters etc?

[modboy]

Where do you get the figures of thousands more cyclists? Is that total (ie mountainbike, bmx etc) or are you talking purely road/commuters etc?

http://can.org.nz/system/files/CAN_NZ+Cycling+Facts.pdf

[Bounce001]

Why not have anyone riding a push bike on the road take at least a theory test so they know the basic road rules.

Cyclist want speed limits lowered, separate lanes and/or roads closed so they can use them. When they start paying some form of road user charges then I might start listening to them.

Having lived in Taupo for a number of years, there was always complaints from locals about cyclists on the road as many train for major events. Most don't seem to follow basic road rules let alone many taking a crap in someones driveway because it looks like 'a good place to stop'.

As for groups of cyclists, it is in the NZ Road Code on how they should ride - eg no more than two abreast.

If they want to be respected on the road by other users, they first need to show respect to other road users and pay road user charges.

[modboy]

Why not have anyone riding a push bike on the road take at least a theory test so they know the basic road rules.

Cyclist want speed limits lowered, separate lanes and/or roads closed so they can use them. When they start paying some form of road user charges then I might start listening to them.

Having lived in Taupo for a number of years, there was always complaints from locals about cyclists on the road as many train for major events. Most don't seem to follow basic road rules let alone many taking a crap in someones driveway because it looks like 'a good place to stop'.

As for groups of cyclists, it is in the NZ Road Code on how they should ride - eg no more than two abreast.

If they want to be respected on the road by other users, they first need to show respect to other road users and pay road user charges.

By and large I agree with this - when I was a kid the cops used to come to our school and do little road cycling tests with us and check out bikes.

I totally agree with your point on respect. We always (ALWAYS) drop to max two abreast - and often single file when riding on the roads in groups around welly. It has to go both ways.

... and I've never taken a crap on anyones property...

[Bounce001]

... and I've never taken a crap on anyones property...

I'll sleep much better knowing that!@

[R6_kid:Me]

There is no law which states something like "Thou shalt not ride a pushbike if thy breath alcohol exceeds XXX micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath". So no, I won't get in shit with the police for riding my pushbike pissed.

Yes you will. As an adult you are legally required to ride your pushbike/bicycle on the road, not on the footpath (it is an offence to ride on the footpath). If you are pissed off your face, riding down the road wobblier than a 50kg blond chick after four vodka RTDs, and you get passed by a cop, then you are quite likely to get stopped, breath tested and taken to the cells.

[SMOKEU]

Yes you will. As an adult you are legally required to ride your pushbike/bicycle on the road, not on the footpath (it is an offence to ride on the footpath). If you are pissed off your face, riding down the road wobblier than a 50kg blond chick after four vodka RTDs, and you get passed by a cop, then you are quite likely to get stopped, breath tested and taken to the cells.

As long as I can ride my pushbike in a straight line and I'm not creating an undue hazard to myself or other traffic, and as long as I am not impeding the flow of traffic there is nothing the cops can do about it. However, if someone is walking in the middle of a busy road at a level of intoxication where they can't even stand up properly, then they can be taken into custody for detox. Same goes for people on skateboards and rollerblades.

[Toffee]

I regulary ride the 40 odd km return commute to work on the pushbike - almost all on the open road - I have done around 10 000 kms in the last 4 years without a problem. Totally agree that road rules must be followed - 2 abreast max and single file much of the time. Not keen on extra road user charges - already pay these for the car and the bike - and if I wasn't cycling I'd be in the car or on the bike.

Over the 10 000 kms my near misses have almost always been caused by younger drivers and their lack of awareness. The most courteous and aware drivers - by far - are the professionals - ie the truckies - they manage to pass with plenty of room despite having the biggest vehicles.

[SMOKEU]

A cyclist isn't legally required to undergo a breath test unless a police officer has seen the person in question recently operating a motor vehicle or has reason to suspect that the accused has been recently operating a motor vehicle. A bicycle is not a motor vehicle.

[Dean]

There is no law which states something like "Thou shalt not ride a pushbike if thy breath alcohol exceeds XXX micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath". So no, I won't get in shit with the police for riding my pushbike pissed.

Bro honestly, dont be that stupid to ride a pushbike pissed that's low man.
I know you are keen to get baked and ride which Is goods in my books but drunk, nah man.
You would get put in the cells, but no you wont be "getting in shit" I think your cellmates will have a handfull of it bro!! They call the first timers in lockup "fresh meat".

[SMOKEU]

Bro honestly, dont be that stupid to ride a pushbike pissed that's low man.
I know you are keen to get baked and ride which Is goods in my books but drunk, nah man.
You would get put in the cells, but no you wont be "getting in shit" I think your cellmates will have a handfull of it bro!! They call the first timers in lockup "fresh meat".

So next time I want to get on the piss at a mates house I'm meant to drive home completely pissed? Or should I leave my car/motorbike at my mates place and walk home and risk having my ride stolen? Or get a taxi to take me everywhere which will be really expensive? Or call my mum at 2am asking for a ride home? A pushbike is the most sensible option in this case, and if I crash I'm unlikely to injure or kill anyone else.

[Genestho]

I agree..............my Daughter would be better off under ACC...I certainly think that ACC should penalise drink drivers....sport..well...the injuries are not quite so pre meditated

In the case of EBA causing death - ACC and therefore WE should NOT be paying for the funerals, or the towies (often the victims family or police cover the towies) or for cleaning the mess. Utter crap, civil cases should be allowed at this point!

As you were

[Dean]

So next time I want to get on the piss at a mates house I'm meant to drive home completely pissed? Or should I leave my car/motorbike at my mates place and walk home and risk having my ride stolen? Or get a taxi to take me everywhere which will be really expensive? Or call my mum at 2am asking for a ride home? A pushbike is the most sensible option in this case, and if I crash I'm unlikely to injure or kill anyone else.

Get one of your mates to be the sober one, or just stay at your mates house or the house holding the party (car wouldnt be as likely to be stolen). I first of all go with a group of mates to a party NEVER TAKE A MOTORCYLE, then either stay at theres or walk back with one of us as the sober one. It sounds pussy but having a sober person at the end of the day will keep you alive. My tip is dont go back to your mums house at 2am, you will wake them up and they have to clean up all the spew or mess you make the following morning (my poor mum lol).