Driving in town for the first time.

**Matariki** · 29th April 2010, 08:45

I feel nervous just thinking about it.
Iv'e done it plenty of times before in a car, but I usually had someone next to me telling me what to do or keeping an eye on what I was doing.

Any advice?

**firefighter** · 29th April 2010, 09:02

Which town are you driving in?

I would'nt have thought Masterton traffic was worth being concerned about........

**rustyrobot** · 29th April 2010, 09:06

You'll be fine! Just keep a good following distance, be VERY cynical about indicators (don't trust 'em) and presume that everyone else is a learner driver with no idea how to drive. My first shock in driving around town was how hard roundabouts were, but after finding a circuit of three I could just go round and round, it has become second nature.

**Stirts** · 29th April 2010, 09:18

Just breathe, try and relax, and as rustybotrot said, keep a good following distances!

Own your piece of road, be very aware of parked cars, and if there are people in them move to the righter side of your lane, so if a car door opens or they pull out of park it keeps you further out of harms way.

First time is always the hardest, but you will find it is always easier than the scenario that plays in your head

**Her_C4** · 29th April 2010, 09:49

Everything else that has been said - plus make sure that you stop at all stop signs and and prepare to stop at lights (ie don't leave it until the last minute and shoot through amber / red). Give way at giveway signs and roundabouts even when the driver has eyeballed you and you think they will give way.... chances are, they won't.

Keep calm and if it all becomes too much pull over and take a couple of deep breaths until you feel ready to face the traffic again. Once you have done it, it will be easy peasy

**CookMySock** · 29th April 2010, 10:56

Keep your rides short. All the above advice looks great - stay clear of everything and just pootle around quietly. Don't be rushed by cars behind you, and if someone ever dares impatiently give you a toot, just point a finger at your L plate - they will get the message.

Steve

**robertvi** · 29th April 2010, 11:09

in town you'll probably be stopping and starting a lot more, so this is a good thing to be confident with before riding in heavy traffic. a friend advised me to drive through town (christchurch) early on a sunday morning so i could stop and start through all the traffic lights. i found after waiting for a while in neutral with both feet down my brain would sometimes forget what to do next to pull away properly

my instructor taught me: check your mirrors regularly, do a head check of your blind spots (i.e. turn your head and look) before changing lanes, keep scanning the road ahead looking for other vehicles coming from any direction (including parked ones pulling away)

**Ronin** · 29th April 2010, 11:22

Wouldn't ride down Queen Street as a start. Try a loop from the round a bout up by Faulknors down to Kuripuni and then back up the other side. The traffic flow is nice and steady but will give you a good feel for what it's like. Also you wont have to contend with the cages pulling out of the angle parks.

**R-Soul** · 29th April 2010, 13:29

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Keep your rides short. All the above advice looks great - stay clear of everything and just pootle around quietly. Don't be rushed by cars behind you, and if someone ever dares impatiently give you a toot, just point a finger at your L plate - they will get the message.

Steve

Or you could point your middle finger at the sky...

**hellokitty** · 29th April 2010, 18:00

Like Ronin said - watch out for cars coming out of angle parks - people just seem to pull out regardless.
Wear something bright - so everyone can see you, and assume everyone is an idiot and that you are invisible.
When I am doing something new and scary, (like the first time I rode over the Harbour bridge and into town) take it slow, stop at give way signs, take time to look properly before pulling out.
I f people behind you have a problem TOO BAD for them. Don't ever let impatient dick heads in cars rush you.

**CookMySock** · 29th April 2010, 18:30

Originally Posted by hellokitty

If people behind you have a problem TOO BAD for them. Don't ever let impatient dick heads in cars rush you.

Yeah this is really important. Remember gazing into the fuel tank while you are topping your bike up with petrol? Remind yourself at this time a large chunk of the money you hand over for fuel is road user charges, so while you're riding on your bit of the road you paid to be here and they can wait.

This is where you need an experienced rider who is content to sit on your six all afternoon - you can forget about everything behind you (including him/her) and just ride.

Steve

**rustyrobot** · 29th April 2010, 18:37

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

This is where you need an experienced rider who is content to sit on your six all afternoon - you can forget about everything behind you (including him/her) and just ride.

Hey, that's a great idea!

**Ronin** · 29th April 2010, 18:46

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

This is where you need an experienced rider who is content to sit on your six all afternoon - you can forget about everything behind you (including him/her) and just ride.

Steve

Yup, I've done this for a couple of riders now. Quite relaxing

**hellokitty** · 29th April 2010, 18:47

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

This is where you need an experienced rider who is content to sit on your six all afternoon - you can forget about everything behind you (including him/her) and just ride.

Steve

Yes! And if you get flustered and stall the bike, and the car behind you starts honking the horn, the experienced rider can get off his bike and sort them out! (My husband did this once - I mean, who the hell honks their horn at someone with an L plate)