I am going to get into trouble sometime...

[Ixion]

This is why I started the thread. I want to know if I am picking this up too quickly. I am reading the road, because I had to, in order to survive on my bicycle on roads like the pakuranga highway. I am actually safer travelling with the traffic than continuously getting overtaken. (The number of times I've been almost hit...)

I am also looking for outs. Picked up this point from somebody elses video going over the harbour bridge. Somebody commenting, spoke about riding without outs. Excellent point, I've found that those dividing islands are very dangerous, because there is no out to the right. Usually back off instead.

Tested this a couple of days ago. Cars in front of me near uni suddenly stopped, but I knew the lane was free next to me, so braked (but not slamming them on) and moved to the other lane while watching to make sure the other cars didn't try to duck into my way.

I really don't want to sound like a know it all or anything because I don't, I want to know if I am picking up everything or am I missing something. I'm tempted to come on a newbie ride, but I might wait to until I have more hours on the road. I only have about 18-19, 500 odd kms.

I reckon those rider videos are a really good idea for picking up improvements.

I think that Mr Gremlin has a valid point about the push bike experience. Someone who has experience riding a push bike in traffic will have learned a slot of survival skills that are almost exactly the same as for a motorcycle. So he's not entirely a novice.

Just need to watch the right hand eh. On a pedally you have to WORK for speed, on a bike it comes easy. Maybe a bit too easy sometimes.

Also, one other point. Psychologically most motorists have an aversion to hitting pushbikers. Not a good look to mow down some kid on a pushbike. Women especially will look out for pushbikes. But they don't give a tinker's toss about mowing down a motorbike - will even attempt to do it deliberately.

So you've got to be more cautious , don't assume that because they've seen you, they won't try to wipe you out. The fact that they've seen you may just mean that you've just become a target.

[spudchucka]

Good point. Remember , 120+ on a learners = instant loss of licence, and bike confiscated by Mr Plod. Which might be tricky to explain to your Mum (subtle bit of terrorism there). Not to mention the whopping fine.

No vehicle impoundment for speed or dangerous driving. Disqualified, suspended, forbidden driving = manadtory impoundment. Boy racer offences = impoundment is discetionary.

[spudchucka]

Well, I don't think that jail would be likely, but if a savage example of plod catches you at 120 you WILL be arrested, probably handcuffed. You WILL be taken to the plod shop and locked in a cell, and fingerprinted, and someone will have to come in and post bail for you. And if the plod is really nasty you may have to stay there until the next day and appear in court to be bailed.

Not nice.

You've been watching too many seppo cop shows. We don't "post bail" in NZ, (IE: you don't have to pay a sum of money in order to be released on bail).

A person arrested for a driving offence will normally be processed and released on police bail to appear in court within the next seven days. It would have to be some very serious traffic offences in order to be held overnight in a cell and put before the court the following day.

[Waylander]

Ok Gremlin it's been cleaned out now.


For those that contributed to the masive hijack/off topic bit of this thread if you want to continue go to the thread linked below,

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=13129

and leave this one for actuall advice for Gremlin.