Safety improvements on the `takas

[F5 Dave]

Well this is probably old news to many Wellingtonians but I managed to get out for my first ride over the hill since April, to find they have put in some extra cat's eyes over the yellow centrelines. Like every 2 inches.

First thought was how much did that cost?

But second is to wonder about the mindset of the people who signed that off. Clearly people are breaking the law. Let's make it more dangerous.

Stray a front wheel over those while leant over and yer going down. Probably into oncoming traffic.

OK so you shouldn't be crossing the yellow line the pendants will proclaim. Well people clearly were, and still will as they get frustrated with the slow traffic.

But also it will get riders who make an error and overshoot a little. Happens all the time on that road. And the road gets wet and verry windy. Small (ok not that small but and extra inch will do it) error now big consequence.

[pzkpfw]

If there was more room they'd put cheese graters the whole way.
.

[mossy1200]

Noticed them. Wont be long before someone on a bad approach to a corner goes down with the damp corners at this time of year. A yellow line passer will get caught out.

[James Deuce]

Rode to work yesterday and I was more perturbed by the mirror finish asphalt. It's very smooth and I am grateful for that but it was very slick when damp and the reflection off the road surface on full beam was, well, quite brilliant.

[caspernz]

Crikey! Cats eyes on top of the double yellows? Almost sounds like the fella who suggested the wire barrier (and got shot down) pondered: "What's the next most dangerous road safety feature (sic) I can put in there?"

Before the various improvements were made to the Rimutaka Hill road, at least there were a number of passing lanes and other opportunities to pass. Almost seems like now that the road has been realigned near the top, naff all passing lanes left, double yellows all the way...someone in an office has completed their mission

[MD]

Placing cats eys to cause any stray bikers to crash was their second option. Option 1 proved too expensive and difficult to import IEDs from the Jihadists in Syria or Iraq.

Next week they are placing rusty razor blades protruding along the armco as "educational influences" to discourage bikes riding the hill.

My first thought when I saw those cats eyes camouflaged on the yellow lines was, ulch! hit those at your peril. NZTA- we're here for your safety- NOT

[Maha]

Locals should lobby for a motorcycle only lane, failing that, ride to the conditions.









p/t just testing the Wellingtonian Humometer

[Edbear]

Crikey! Cats eyes on top of the double yellows? Almost sounds like the fella who suggested the wire barrier (and got shot down) pondered: "What's the next most dangerous road safety feature (sic) I can put in there?"

Before the various improvements were made to the Rimutaka Hill road, at least there were a number of passing lanes and other opportunities to pass. Almost seems like now that the road has been realigned near the top, naff all passing lanes left, double yellows all the way...someone in an office has completed their mission

Placing cats eys to cause any stray bikers to crash was their second option. Option 1 proved too expensive and difficult to import IEDs from the Jihadists in Syria or Iraq.

Next week they are placing rusty razor blades protruding along the armco as "educational influences" to discourage bikes riding the hill.

My first thought when I saw those cats eyes camouflaged on the yellow lines was, ulch! hit those at your peril. NZTA- we're here for your safety- NOT

Shirley, the purpose of Cat's Eyes is that they reflect the headlights back at you and indicate the direction of the corner and you would naturally avoid them, since they would be clearly visible?

Locals should lobby for a motorcycle only lane, failing that, ride to the conditions.




p/t just testing the Wellingtonian Humometer

Just what are you suggesting Maha..?

[Bald Eagle]

NZTA traffic safety only applies to vehicles with 4 or more wheels, anything less is not a vehicle. MSAC would be pleased. Oops I meant ACC.

[OddDuck]

The catseyes are fucking stupid. If you look closer you'll see that they've even put aggressive rumble finish on the double yellows, just to make absolutely sure that your tyres are airborne while you're banked over.

This isn't about 'safety'. This is about control. They want us toeing their line, and they're prepared to enforce that by having bikers slide under trucks.

Social and safe design of that hill road would be provision of bike-only overtake lanes in straights just after corners, the little lanes that are only a meter wide.

[Paul in NZ]

As much as it hurts to loose a bit of our playground... Motorcycles are just another vehicle that does actually have to comply to the rules and regulations. These improvements (if you can call it that) are designed to control and smooth traffic so the majority complete their journeys safely. You cant ask for special treatment or you run the risk of being singled out in other less appealing areas like ACC... oh - hang on.....

[MD]

Shirley, the purpose of Cat's Eyes is that they reflect the headlights back at you and indicate the direction of the corner and you would naturally avoid them, since they would be clearly visible?



:

Please stop calling me Shirley. The concern is you enter a bend, see an oil spill (regular on that hill) and you can see no head on traffic so you are forced to go wide, just six inches over the centre line will save you. Oops, instant crash. These dangerous cats eye limit our options.

In saying that I often complain about 4 wheelers and other bikes cutting corners and these may discourage that. Although for 4 wheelers the cats eyes are nothing but a minor noise and discomfort. For a rider on a damp day they may kill.

[roogazza]

Placing cats eys to cause any stray bikers to crash was their second option. Option 1 proved too expensive and difficult to import IEDs from the Jihadists in Syria or Iraq.

Next week they are placing rusty razor blades protruding along the armco as "educational influences" to discourage bikes riding the hill.

My first thought when I saw those cats eyes camouflaged on the yellow lines was, ulch! hit those at your peril. NZTA- we're here for your safety- NOT

I miss my Sunday fang over there, 50 years of it !!!
70s' and 80s' were great but for the last 15 yrs its been in steady decline.
So glad to have had all those years of just a little white line down the middle and the subtle warm up over the Kaitokes' before the hill.
Doubt I'd go there by choice now,having moved anyway.

[Edbear]

Please stop calling me Shirley. The concern is you enter a bend, see an oil spill (regular on that hill) and you can see no head on traffic so you are forced to go wide, just six inches over the centre line will save you. Oops, instant crash. These dangerous cats eye limit our options.

In saying that I often complain about 4 wheelers and other bikes cutting corners and these may discourage that. Although for 4 wheelers the cats eyes are nothing but a minor noise and discomfort. For a rider on a damp day they may kill.

Of course you're right, about that. I found them unsettling just riding over the ones on the white lines on the motorways when changing lanes. I always avoided white and yellow lines for that very reason, but hitting them while leaned over is a butt pinching experience even if you don't fall off!

Hmmm... I could call you, "Often", "Seldom", or "Out" I suppose...

[Tazz]

If you're overshooting corners on that hill often enough to be worried about cats eyes and rumble strips, you have bigger issues that need your attention first...