Driving along Cobham drive - Wellington

**OwlCat** · 9th March 2012, 13:39

Hi guys, I have a query.

As a relatively new rider, I have a question that I'm just not sure of the answer - it's about cars passing me.

I go on Cobham drive pretty much every day to get to and from work. I find going towards the airport the most problematic, here's my problem:

It's a 70km stretch and I can only get up to 60kms. Quite often I have cars over-taking me, and that's fine, if they actually cross to the other lane and back over. But more often than I can count, they just zip past me, and I feel so anxious about this. Are they allowed to just pass me like this? Sometimes I stick to the left so they can pass me safely (via the other lane) but as I said, a lot just stay in same lane and it can get so windy on that road and I am afraid of being winded into the side of a car.

A couple of times I've been cut off really dangerously.

I guess my questions are when it comes to are:
1) Should I just stick to the centre and if they want to pass, they can pass on the right hand lane?
2) Or should I stay to the left? I'm not sure what the road rules on this kind of situation are.

Thanks in advance!

**Bald Eagle** · 9th March 2012, 13:43

Own your lane. they can pass properly or do the other thing

Sent from my MB525 using Tapatalk

**Scuba_Steve** · 9th March 2012, 13:45

it's a 2-lane road, stick in the middle of the left lane... and get a bike, so it's not a problem

**oneofsix** · 9th March 2012, 13:47

Originally Posted by OwlCat

Hi guys, I have a query.

As a relatively new rider, I have a question that I'm just not sure of the answer - it's about cars passing me.

I go on Cobham drive pretty much every day to get to and from work. I find going towards the airport the most problematic, here's my problem:

It's a 70km stretch and I can only get up to 60kms. Quite often I have cars over-taking me, and that's fine, if they actually cross to the other lane and back over. But more often than I can count, they just zip past me, and I feel so anxious about this. Are they allowed to just pass me like this? Sometimes I stick to the left so they can pass me safely (via the other lane) but as I said, a lot just stay in same lane and it can get so windy on that road and I am afraid of being winded into the side of a car.

A couple of times I've been cut off really dangerously.

I guess my questions are when it comes to are:
1) Should I just stick to the centre and if they want to pass, they can pass on the right hand lane?
2) Or should I stay to the left? I'm not sure what the road rules on this kind of situation are.

Thanks in advance!

You have the right to use the road. I would say stick to slightly right of centre in the left lane and let them use the right lane. They probably have an attitude that scooters will stay left and they have the right to 'share' the lane with the scooter. This is due to those scooters that can't get to 50k. If you are doing 60k you aren't too far off the max and a lot of cages only get up to 60k along there anyhow. Yes you are a nuisance to those who want to do the limit (or perhaps a little more) and I'd be one but you are behaving correctly, have the right and aren't trying to dominate the traffic whilst only doing 30k and there is another lane.

Longer term, if you plan to continue along that road or another area with a higher speed limit I would suggest getting a bigger bike.

**OwlCat** · 9th March 2012, 13:50

Thank you for all your advice - has in a way calmed my nerves. Dominating the lane, here I come!

Alas, bigger bike is out of picture for near future - poor student etc etc.

Thanks guys

**pritch** · 9th March 2012, 13:52

There is a 70kph area I occasionally use when on the moped, I usually stay in the cycle lane. It's faster.

**FJRider** · 9th March 2012, 13:54

Originally Posted by OwlCat

A couple of times I've been cut off really dangerously.

I guess my questions are when it comes to are:
1) Should I just stick to the centre and if they want to pass, they can pass on the right hand lane?
2) Or should I stay to the left? I'm not sure what the road rules on this kind of situation are.

Thanks in advance!

I would stick to the centre of the left lane. As a road user ... you are entitled to use the whole width of the lane. For your own safety.
The law says ... keep left as far as practible. Practible can mean staying alive. Keeping to the hard left encourages some to take more than they are entitled to ... (your share of the road)

Such is motorcycling ...

However ... it may pay to start looking at getting a machine that can achieve the 70 km/hr ... It will improve your safety AND confidence.

**GrayWolf** · 10th March 2012, 12:14

Originally Posted by OwlCat

Thank you for all your advice - has in a way calmed my nerves. Dominating the lane, here I come!

Alas, bigger bike is out of picture for near future - poor student etc etc.

Thanks guys

Errr nope, dont DOMINATE the lane, 'Owning' your lane is different..... owning is more, taking the same room as a car would, (easy way to explain is you sit on the road about level to where a car driver would sit), the further left you are, the more 'encouragement' cagers have to overtake and force you into the curb... However there are times where 'submissiveness' is the best option, rather than NOT allowing the dumbass to get in (for your own safety).
Their behaviour is 'dominating'............

**BMWST?** · 10th March 2012, 12:56

Originally Posted by oneofsix

and a lot of cages only get up to 60k along there anyhow. .

what are you talking about....ANY car will get to the max of 70 along there.

**Ender EnZed** · 10th March 2012, 14:42

Originally Posted by BMWST?

what are you talking about....ANY car will get to the max of 70 along there.

I suspect he was saying that some people don't drive at 70 along there rather than that some cars can't go that fast.

**davebullet** · 10th March 2012, 14:46

Can you get a bit more speed ducking down to the 'bars? Helps if you can match speed with other vehicles. Otherwise as they others have said, don't give them enough room to "undertake" you (which is illegal as well) but force them into the right lane to overtake you. This means riding usually just left to centre of the right wheel track (ie. roughly where the driver sits in a car).

**Madness** · 10th March 2012, 16:04

I agree with what has been said; you have the right to use the lane you're in, not just the left hand side of that lane. Be assertive and practice giving the uncourteous ones the salute they deserve

**Berries** · 10th March 2012, 18:27

Originally Posted by Madness

Be assertive and practice giving the uncourteous ones the salute they deserve

I am sure that if this thread was about a car that could only do 90km/h on the open road we would all be saying keep left and let everyone who can travel at the speed limit do so. It would be those uncourteous slow drivers who don't let others pass who would get the finger.

Can't see any difference really. You can assert your road position all you want, but if you can't keep up with the traffic surely you should consider a different route or a different mode of transport, even if just for your own safety?

**Madness** · 10th March 2012, 18:57

We're not talking about the open road. Cobham Drive in Wellington is often congested and travelling at 60km/hr there with the flow of traffic is common place. The OP is riding on this road on their way to & from work and it's a fair assumption that this is during peak traffic times. The area is full of dual-lane roundabouts which means in places you may have to be in the right hand lane to effect your route.

I don't mind cars doing 90 on th open road at all. There are enough passing opportunities on the majority of roads I travel and so long as they don't hold me up at passing lanes we're all good.