lanesplitting ettiquette

[bastardsquad]

So on the way to work I lanesplit along a long clogged stretch of road, one lane each way. I pass the cars on the right between the cars and the centerline. There a a couple of other bikers who follow the same route around the same time I do, and two of them always split on the left (actually in the service lane off the road).
At a point nearing a roundabout I switch from centreline to left side to then immediately split between the two lanes of cars that form at the roundabout.

A couple of times I have had 'awkward moments' where the person in the service lane has come up from behind as im moving from centreline to left side of the lane . Not a near miss, but if both of us werent careful , easily could be.

Lanesplitting is overtaking within a lane, and we must overtake on the right always, correct? So are these guys splitting on the left in a single lane road in the wrong? Or is it inconsiderate? What do you guys do?

[rastuscat]

Can of worms is open, so here goes.

The rules on lane splitting in NZ actually don't exist. The law doesn't mention lane splitting. In Victoria they have a lane splitting law, here we don't.

Our lane splitting in governed by the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, Rules 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8.

These deal with when you can pass on the left, when you can pass on the right, and general rules for passing.

People get so bound up in the technicalities of left and right, this lane marking or that, that they miss the most important part.

2.6 General requirements about passing other vehicles
(1)A driver must not pass or attempt to pass another vehicle moving in the same direction unless—
(a)the movement can be made with safety

When a cop sees you lane splitting, if they suck the air between their teeth and think to themselves "Shit, that wasn't safe", the ticket of "Unsafe Passing Manoeuvre" is available to them.

Because "unsafe" is a subjective judgement. What you might think is safe, someone who doesn't ride bikes might not think is safe.

It's so damn subjective, there is no hard and fast answer.

Sorry to be so negative about it, but there just isn't a hard and fast answer.

[Akzle]

always split at 12 oclock, full throttle.

it's statistically very safe. i've never heard of any accidents from anyone doing it.

[rastuscat]

\i've never heard of any accidents from anyone doing it.

And because you've not heard of it, it hasn't happened?

Deaths on Auckland motorways have happened. One I can think of where a lane splitting motorcyclist hit a left hand car mirror with his right hand handlebar. Bike fell to the left, rider got run over by the vehicle in the next lane.

But I guess it didn't happen, coz you haven't heard of it.

[Akzle]

And because you've not heard of it, it hasn't happened?

Deaths on Auckland motorways have happened. One I can think of where a lane splitting motorcyclist hit a left hand car mirror with his right hand handlebar. Bike fell to the left, rider got run over by the vehicle in the next lane.

But I guess it didn't happen, coz you haven't heard of it.

i liked the bit where you posted something relevant that rebutted my assertion//

O, wait on...

wheelies are fokken sikk.

[bastardsquad]

Absolutely its a risky exercise, and a grey area in many ways. In essence though, is it a dick move to split in the service lane on the left side of the road outside the white line?

[rastuscat]

i liked the bit where you posted something relevant that rebutted my assertion//

O, wait on...

wheelies are fokken sikk.

Happy to help.

[Swoop]

Absolutely its a risky exercise, and a grey area in many ways. In essence though, is it a dick move to split in the service lane on the left side of the road outside the white line?

There are several large threads on this exact topic on KB.

Here is one of them. Use the search function for others...
https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/s...lane+splitting


It really sounds like you are meaning to ride in the left hand / service / bicycle lane prior to turning left?
If so, this needs to be done with heaps of care and attention. Cars will fail to see you on the left, especially if they are also turning left.

Loud pipes save lives...

[bastardsquad]

I'm not looking to ride in the service lane to the left of moving cars, i'm moaning about other people that do, and then zip in to the lane at a point where I am moving from the right side of a lane to the left side (while within the lane markings). Thanks for the link tho, it answered my question. Left side is no go unless traffic is stationary, service lane is no go full stop. These riders are pulling a dick move - especially the one with the L plate that forced his way past me the other day !

[rastuscat]

There's lots of things that are against the rules but which get done so often yet are enforced so little.

Lane splitting is one. Using the emergency stopping shoulder is another.

Following too closely is my favourite. If they ever gave me a ticket book back I'll fill it before morning donut time. Yet it gets so rarely enforced it's commonplace.

[Akzle]

There's lots of things that are against the rules but which get done so often yet are enforced so little.

Lane splitting is one. Using the emergency stopping shoulder is another.

Following too closely is my favourite. If they ever gave me a ticket book back I'll fill it before morning donut time. Yet it gets so rarely enforced it's commonplace.

failing to give way, failing to keep left, impeding traffic...

[rastuscat]

failing to give way, failing to keep left, impeeding traffic...

Spelling impeding incorrectly......I'd enforce that.

[Akzle]

Spelling impeding incorrectly......I'd enforce that.

if you had any idea how much i had to drink and smoke before during and after driving home last night, you'd use your discretion at 6 in the fuken morning.


hint:it was lots

[Voltaire]

Can of worms is open, so here goes.

The rules on lane splitting in NZ actually don't exist. The law doesn't mention lane splitting. In Victoria they have a lane splitting law, here we don't.

Our lane splitting in governed by the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, Rules 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8.

These deal with when you can pass on the left, when you can pass on the right, and general rules for passing.

People get so bound up in the technicalities of left and right, this lane marking or that, that they miss the most important part.

2.6 General requirements about passing other vehicles
(1)A driver must not pass or attempt to pass another vehicle moving in the same direction unless—
(a)the movement can be made with safety

When a cop sees you lane splitting, if they suck the air between their teeth and think to themselves "Shit, that wasn't safe", the ticket of "Unsafe Passing Manoeuvre" is available to them.

Because "unsafe" is a subjective judgement. What you might think is safe, someone who doesn't ride bikes might not think is safe.

It's so damn subjective, there is no hard and fast answer.

Sorry to be so negative about it, but there just isn't a hard and fast answer.

Hard and Fast answer:

Given the Police can only measure speed and alcohol against an acceptable range and cannot measure drivers on cell phones, poor driving, erratic lane changing

and so I don't worry about what they think about lane splitting, don't ride in a way that attracts attention until you get pulled over ( which is unlikely).


I do find it amusing riders who ride up the line between lanes with hazard lights on....is that like a dollar each way?

Oh and ettiquette implies some sort of road manners and if your talking Auckland they barely exist and the ease of getting a drivers licence has not improved it.

[Diggers]

"I do find it amusing riders who ride up the line between lanes with hazard lights on....is that like a dollar each way?"

Ditto Volty, I think they're trying to be "safe". They must be the OSH guy at their work.