$1000 fine for 'cruising' boy racers affect bikers in Christchurch too?

**markh14** · 9th February 2010, 12:53

$1000 fine for 'cruising' boy racers:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10625108

Does this affect motorbikes in Christchurch too? I love cruising around Christchurch on my bike and in my car. Both have warrants. I don't see why I should be banned from 'cruising' when my car and bike are both legal.

I can't find this new bylaw consultation on the Christchurch City Council's website yet, but for now I am emailing the Mayor here:

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/mayor/contact.aspx

I am going to tell him that he shouldn't pass this bylaw into law because it's going to punish the law obiding christchurch people from cruising around the streets. And people would only be able to be fined if the police are there, so if the police are there they should just check if people are obeying the speed limits and ticket those that don't.

**CookMySock** · 9th February 2010, 13:47

Just do what ever you like and decline to discuss it with them. They aren't interested in targetting law-abiding people - they just wan't a card up their sleeve to play when asshole idiots are making a pain of themselves, but there is nothing illegal happening.

Steve

**rastuscat** · 9th February 2010, 13:59

The plan is to target anti-social road users. The cops in Chch stopped using the term Boy Racer a few weeks ago, they now call them anti-social road users.

I like cruising too, but I have no fear of the new law as I don't make a bloody nuisance of myself, I don't piss people off (well, I piss my ex-wife off, but that's another story).

The bylaw is trying to fix the problem that caused businesses to close on Bealey Ave, causes people to avoid coming to town for fear of intimidation, that sort of thing. Basically, don't act like an anti-social road user and you won't be treated like one.

So there.

**Patrick** · 9th February 2010, 16:42

Some on here think Police target the innocent....

Never ticketed or arrrested an "innocent..."

Aint worth the paperwork.

**Jantar** · 9th February 2010, 16:59

A planned new Christchurch City Council bylaw could see boy racers fined up to $1000 if they are caught repeatedly "cruising" the city's main streets

Personally I would keep as far away from the city's main streets as possible when on a bike. Cruising, in irself, isn't banned. it is the continuous cruising around the same circuit they are trying to stop.

**{.bLanK}G_o_D** · 9th February 2010, 17:03

Originally Posted by Patrick

Some on here think Police target the innocent....

Never ticketed or arrrested an "innocent..."

Aint worth the paperwork.

That's because we're all guilty until proven innocent isn't it?

(just taking the piss dude, nothing personal to you or your job.

)

**Ixion** · 9th February 2010, 17:03

Twice in an hour would not normally be deemed "continuous". Also, I note the reference to number plate reading cameras. Which suggests they may be looking at some sort of automated system - same number appears twice within an hour and it's instant ticket. Sucks if you came back to pick up your wife.

**kerryhare** · 9th February 2010, 17:08

I don't have a problem at all with what they are planning.

**Spuds1234** · 9th February 2010, 19:04

Originally Posted by kerryhare

I don't have a problem at all with what they are planning.

QFT.

Its going to be fairly obvious as to who is cruising and who isnt.

**markh14** · 9th February 2010, 22:29

Does anyone know what the law defines "cruising" as? If it is continuous driving around the same street then that sucks because what if i drive around the same streets looking for my friend who i am supposed to pickup and my friend doesn't have her cellphone? Does the law allow for a "reasonable excuse"?
If it does, then that still sucks because not being about to cruise around same streets continuously means i can't show off to all the ladies because i don't think that will be a 'reasonable excuse'. It would suck if you needed a "reasonable excuse" to cruise. What would happen if the council said you need a 'reasonable excuse' to walk around on the footpath continuously, i would not like that because i wouldn't feel free, i would feel kinda not like i'm in a democracy, because having to give an excuse when i'm just walking around a public street is wrong.
Why don't the cops just patrol the streets and arrest the criminals? The council could put up some cctv and the cops could review it if a crime is reported.

**Ixion** · 9th February 2010, 22:52

Originally Posted by markh14

Does anyone know what the law defines "cruising" as? If it is continuous driving around the same street then that sucks because what if i drive around the same streets looking for my friend who i am supposed to pickup and my friend doesn't have her cellphone? Does the law allow for a "reasonable excuse"?
...

Chch have defined it as going the same spot twice within an hour. No, no reasonable excuse defence.

**onearmedbandit** · 9th February 2010, 23:00

Mark, if you're just cruising around, not causing any issues, be it excessive noise or dangerous driving, then I'm sure the cops will not even care about you, because you're not on their radar. If however, you're rev'ing the nuts off your Primera with 3" pipe, drifting your Silvia, or doing rolling burn outs in your 355ci HQ then you're exactly who they are targeting.

So, do you think you're safe or not?

**kwaka_crasher** · 10th February 2010, 02:15

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Mark, if you're just cruising around, not causing any issues, be it excessive noise or dangerous driving, then I'm sure the cops will not even care about you, because you're not on their radar. If however, you're rev'ing the nuts off your Primera with 3" pipe, drifting your Silvia, or doing rolling burn outs in your 355ci HQ then you're exactly who they are targeting.

There are already laws to cover those situations. But this by-law allows them to harrass anyone they wish who is going about their otherwise lawful activities. You might not think that's not going to happen to you but what's to stop it?