"A couple of seconds from disaster"

[DangerMice]

or "How I nearly stacked it in the bus lane"

Was cruising home tonight up Great North road from Western Springs up to Pt Chev. Traffic was slow so I took to the bus lane. A few hundred meters ahead I saw a car slowly crossing the bus lane to turn right across the traffic. He cleared the bus lane but was still blocking the car lane and I thought sweet I'll be able to pass behind him.

Then I noticed another car in the same driveway the first car had come from, but they hadn't yet crossed the footpath. I rolled off the throttle a little, "just in case". As I approached, the first car was still blocking the car lane, but to my horror I suddenly noticed a thin tow rope strung tautly between the two cars about 30cms off the ground.

Holy fucking hell, I have never braked so hard in my life, and managed to stop a meter short of the rope, with the woman in the car being towed staring at me in horror, which quickly turned into eyes closed, hand on heart relief. She'd obviously been thinking I wasn't going to stop.

I uttered a few choice expletives at no-one in particular, more in relief of avoiding a superman than anything, and the woman in the car gave me the finger. Nice.

If I hadn't seen that rope when I did, I wouldn't have been able to stop and I think I probably would have been catapulted over the bars.

Funny thing is, a few hours later, I don't really remember consciously applying the brakes, just seemed to be an instant reaction. I do remember thinking when I stopped, "what the hell is that noise" and then I realised I had such a death grip on the bars & brake levers that I still had a fair bit of throttle on. That wouldn't have helped me stopping!

So, I'm off to practice some more "vigorous" emergency stopping. I never would have thought I could brake that hard without locking the front up. Thank Jebus it was dry today. Might try letting the throttle off fully too LOL.

DangerMice (pleased not to be another ACC scooter stat)

[wbks]

or "How I nearly stacked it in the bus lane"

Was cruising home tonight up Great North road from Western Springs up to Pt Chev. Traffic was slow so I took to the bus lane. A few hundred meters ahead I saw a car slowly crossing the bus lane to turn right across the traffic. He cleared the bus lane but was still blocking the car lane and I thought sweet I'll be able to pass behind him.

Then I noticed another car in the same driveway the first car had come from, but they hadn't yet crossed the footpath. I rolled off the throttle a little, "just in case". As I approached, the first car was still blocking the car lane, but to my horror I suddenly noticed a thin tow rope strung tautly between the two cars about 30cms off the ground.

Holy fucking hell, I have never braked so hard in my life, and managed to stop a meter short of the rope, with the woman in the car being towed staring at me in horror, which quickly turned into eyes closed, hand on heart relief. She'd obviously been thinking I wasn't going to stop.

I uttered a few choice expletives at no-one in particular, more in relief of avoiding a superman than anything, and the woman in the car gave me the finger. Nice.

If I hadn't seen that rope when I did, I wouldn't have been able to stop and I think I probably would have been catapulted over the bars.

Funny thing is, a few hours later, I don't really remember consciously applying the brakes, just seemed to be an instant reaction. I do remember thinking when I stopped, "what the hell is that noise" and then I realised I had such a death grip on the bars & brake levers that I still had a fair bit of throttle on. That wouldn't have helped me stopping!

So, I'm off to practice some more "vigorous" emergency stopping. I never would have thought I could brake that hard without locking the front up. Thank Jebus it was dry today. Might try letting the throttle off fully too LOL.

DangerMice (pleased not to be another ACC scooter stat)

I know it probably would have been your fault for riding in a lane illegally if you crashed, but they were blocking both lanes with a tripwire and she pulled the finger at you? reminds me of passing a car just as they decide to make an un indicated pass themselves and when they just about push you off road they always make sure to flick the finger as well! Same with a dude whose trailer fell apart dropping a trailer gate and shit all over the place, when I passed him and gave him a "wtf" look he actually looked pissed off at ME!

[quickbuck]

Good save dude.
I take it that you are actually allowed to ride in the bus lane? I know it changes from city to city...

Anyhow, yes, now you know you can actually haul up the scoot pretty quickly provided you apply the brakes progressively.
I mean, you can apply them quickly, but it has to be progressive.. ie, no snatching.... Actually you might be able to get away with that on the scooter too.... Just not a big bike.

[DangerMice]

I take it that you are actually allowed to ride in the bus lane? I know it changes from city to city...

Yip, I am

Thinking more about it, I was probably in no danger of locking up the rear brake, it's a tiny little drum and piss weak lol, but the front disc did me proud

[sil3nt]

uhh hang on why did she give you the finger?

[Mully]

I know it probably would have been your fault for riding in a lane illegally if you crashed, :

Nope. Motorcycles are legally allowed to use bus lanes in Auckland City.

It might have been his fault for failing to stop short of the cars. Although they were blocking a special vehicle lane - grey area.

[DangerMice]

uhh hang on why did she give you the finger?

probably thought I was swearing at her directly when I wasn't, but under the circumstances, I probably should have!

[Sis]

Roll off the THROTTLE
Progressively squeeze the FRONT brake
Pull in the CLUTCH
Apply the REAR brake
Change GEAR so that by the time you stop you are in first gear, ready for a quick get-out-of-harms-way, if required.

Now go out and practise

And congratulations!

[p.dath]

Nope. Motorcycles are legally allowed to use bus lanes in Auckland City.

It might have been his fault for failing to stop short of the cars. Although they were blocking a special vehicle lane - grey area.

He would have been failing to stop short of a taught rope, not any vehicles. No vehicles were in his path.

My guess is the driver with the vehicle under power would have copped it. Usually the person doing the towing (e,g. with a trailer) carries the responsibility for both themselves and their load.

[DangerMice]

It might have been his fault for failing to stop short of the cars. Although they were blocking a special vehicle lane - grey area.

Yeah I have no idea ay. It was so hard to spot, because neither car was actually *in* the bus lane, just the tow rope. Scared the crap out of me thinking about it at the next set of lights.

[quickbuck]

Roll off the THROTTLE
Progressively squeeze the FRONT brake
Pull in the CLUTCH
Apply the REAR brake
Change GEAR so that by the time you stop you are in first gear, ready for a quick get-out-of-harms-way, if required.

Now go out and practise

And congratulations!

Yeah, all good... BUT he was on a Jog!
As in a Yamaha 50 scooter. No Clutch or gears. Rear brake on the left hand.....

[wbks]

They can use bus lane? Is that for sure? Not like splitting will be ok with some cops but not others, but actually legit? I guess it was the dudes fault then. Pulling out in front of a vehicle and then abusing them? Lol

[breakaway]

probably thought I was swearing at her directly when I wasn't, but under the circumstances, I probably should have!

While other drivers are supposed to be watching out for you, the ultimate responsibility falls on you to ensure your saftey. Ignore this and you will pay the ultimate price sooner or later.

Learn to expect this sort of shit. That way you'll never be 'surprised' like this again.

[quickbuck]

While other drivers are supposed to be watching out for you, the ultimate responsibility falls on you to ensure your saftey. Ignore this and you will pay the ultimate price sooner or later.

Learn to expect this sort of shit. That way you'll never be 'surprised' like this again.

This is very true......

[Mully]

He would have been failing to stop short of a taught rope, not any vehicles. No vehicles were in his path.

My guess is the driver with the vehicle under power would have copped it. Usually the person doing the towing (e,g. with a trailer) carries the responsibility for both themselves and their load.

Yeah, that's what I would have thought - although he failed to stop short of the obstruction, the tow-er would have copped the blame, ultimately. It's not reasonable to expect the motorcyclist to see a rope crossing his path and the towing car should have an obligation to ensure that his convoy isn't obstructing...

They can use bus lane? Is that for sure? Not like splitting will be ok with some cops but not others, but actually legit? I guess it was the dudes fault then. Pulling out in front of a vehicle and then abusing them? Lol

Yep - offical Auckland City policy. Any bus lanes, unless they say "buses only", are available for bikes and cycles.

Except motorways, which belong to Transit (or whatever they're called this week)