Surely they wouldn't

**puddytat** · 18th January 2013, 18:55

So is crossing the centre line with the wheels the problem, as opposed to having 1/2 your torso across the centre line yet yer wheels in your lane...

**Kornholio** · 18th January 2013, 20:54

Originally Posted by puddytat

So is crossing the centre line with the wheels the problem, as opposed to having 1/2 your torso across the centre line yet yer wheels in your lane...

Common sense wins on the day

**Clockwork** · 4th February 2013, 10:53

If crossing a centre line is an offense, how can you legally pass on a single carriage way? If it's not an offense and there is no traffic using the other carriageway on which law is such a charge laid?

**Deano** · 4th February 2013, 12:28

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Exactly. I've never understood cutting the corner, even if you can see clearly through it, on the road.

So you can gain a few metres back on your mate ahead of you of course!

**FJRider** · 4th February 2013, 13:53

Originally Posted by Clockwork

If crossing a centre line is an offense, how can you legally pass on a single carriage way? If it's not an offense and there is no traffic using the other carriageway on which law is such a charge laid?

The ONLY exception to the "Failing to keep left" rule in legislation is ... for the purpose of overtaking another vehicle, with 100 metres of visibility throughout the maneuver.

**rastuscat** · 4th February 2013, 19:04

Originally Posted by Clockwork

If crossing a centre line is an offense, how can you legally pass on a single carriage way? If it's not an offense and there is no traffic using the other carriageway on which law is such a charge laid?

Dear god. Hand your license in if you have to ask such ignorant questions.

**Clockwork** · 5th February 2013, 09:33

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Dear god. Hand your license in if you have to ask such ignorant questions.

Thanks for your help Rastuscat but I've found what I was looking for here http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regul...DLM303041.html Whereas this doesn't say actually state that crossing the centre line is an offense. (maybe because there are so many exceptions to the rule)

Seems a bit petty minded to me, pinging someone for crossing a centre line when there is no oncoming traffic but I guess that state of mind is a desirable attribute for a traffic cop.

Surely I don't have to point out to you that for every degree we lean our bikes into a bend we make them significantly less maneuverable while at the same time making them and ourselves as riders much more vulnerable to moss, oil, grit, damp surfaces, pot holes, and shitty cambers.

Me, I live in the real world. In my world if I misjudge my speed into an an unfamiliar curve or for any other reason feel that it may be undesirable to risk over-cooking the lean and sliding off the road or just running wide and unnecessarily increasing the risk of such an event, then if it's safer to do so, I would cross the centre line. I can only assume that you and others commenting likewise would grit your teeth, slavishly stick to the left and hope for the best.

So go ahead, write those tickets to riders choosing the safer option but don't kid yourself that you are working to improving road safety.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 5th February 2013, 10:01

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Exactly. I've never understood cutting the corner, even if you can see clearly through it, on the road.

I'm more likely to do it in the car, but never on the bike...... even if I can see thru the bend.

**caspernz** · 5th February 2013, 10:17

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I'm more likely to do it in the car, but never on the bike...... even if I can see thru the bend.

Makes me grin when I recall an interview with John McGuinness I saw some years back about fast riding on the road, he seemed to be of the mindset that if you were out riding fast then using the whole road (where safe to do so) was the preferred option. Legalities aside of course, for if you're well in excess of the limit anyways...crossing that centre line ain't no biggie...

But then we're talking where the sightlines are open...not like blind corners and such

**Road kill** · 5th February 2013, 21:01

I treat the white line like a cliff face.

Stay well between but well away from at all times.

Bike,Car,Truck,,,,stay in your own fucking lane.

**mouldy** · 5th February 2013, 22:16

Originally Posted by Road kill

I treat the white line like a cliff face.

Stay well between but well away from at all times.

Bike,Car,Truck,,,,stay in your own fucking lane.

Agree , except for Feb 17th in Paeroa

**rastuscat** · 6th February 2013, 10:01

Originally Posted by Clockwork

Me, I live in the real world. In my world if I misjudge my speed into an an unfamiliar curve or for any other reason feel that it may be undesirable to risk over-cooking the lean and sliding off the road or just running wide and unnecessarily increasing the risk of such an event, then if it's safer to do so, I would cross the centre line. I can only assume that you and others commenting likewise would grit your teeth, slavishly stick to the left and hope for the best..

I live in the real world too. The one where people pull out of a give way into the path of an oncoming bike because they were sure there was nothing coming. Funny how many people collide with things that weren't there.

9999 times out of 10000, when you cross the centreline due to having overcooked the entry, there'll be nothing coming, and you're all good. Not legal, but all good.

It's the 1 time that we are trying to help you avoid. If we tell you loud and clear that we are enforcing the keep left rule, we are hoping that it might encourage you to not overcook your entry. Back off a few metres earlier, and you'll have a better chance of staying on your own side of the road.

Thing is, most folk who cut corners don't do so in order to make their travel safer, as you do. Most are just too lazy to drive in a manner required by law. Driving entirely to the legislation doesn't necessarily make you a safe driver, and driving outside the legislation doesn't necessarily make you unsafe. But there has to be a line drawn in the sand, and it's drawn down the middle of most roads too.

Having re read my post I seem to have been having a bad day when I bagged you, sorry about that.

**FJRider** · 6th February 2013, 10:43

Originally Posted by rastuscat

I live in the real world too. The one where people pull out of a give way into the path of an oncoming bike because they were sure there was nothing coming. Funny how many people collide with things that weren't there.

People collide with "things" ... because those "things" didn't get out of their way. The hope "they" will move out of "my" way does not eventuate. And the "they" (being in the right) ... are often reluctant to change their path.

How often is the "I was in a hurry/late" excuse trotted out during the police interview afterwards .. ??

**rastuscat** · 6th February 2013, 10:54

Originally Posted by FJRider

People collide with "things" ... because those "things" didn't get out of their way. The hope "they" will move out of "my" way does not eventuate. And the "they" (being in the right) ... are often reluctant to change their path.

How often is the "I was in a hurry/late" excuse trotted out during the police interview afterwards .. ??

Not often, actually.

After a crash the offending driver often says first that they didn't see the other vehicle, then that the other vehicle was going fast. Um, how can you tell how fast a vehicle is going without seeing it?

Seriously though, it comes back to the same old chestnut. Inattention blindness, amplified by the looming effect. You don't see a bike off in the distance, and even if you do it looks miles away. Then suddenly it appears really close, and your mind then explains that fact by theorizing that it must have been going fast.

There is just so much psychology involved, I need a lie down. On a couch.