Petition for removal of L plate and 70km/hr limit????

**kro** · 1st March 2006, 05:30

Originally Posted by Fishslayer

Load of crap really, I reckon probably only about 10% of learners actually stick to those rules anyway. Get rid of them both. Do learner car drivers have to stick to under 70kph?

Absolutely agree, plus a newly licensed car driver can buy a 500hp Skyline, and plow it at 100kmh into a minivan 3 days later, and kill 7 people at once, whereas bike accidents typically munt the biker up, and everyone else stays intact (for the most part). So governmental whinings about ACC levies don't sit well with me at all.

The bike licensing system has been knee-jerk, and imbalanced since I started riding in 86, and for years previously.

**inlinefour** · 1st March 2006, 05:47

If you actually think that the LTSA or whoever is likely to actually do what you want then your probably sadly mistaken. I suspect that the 70kph limit is to try to keep learners in built up areas (of course rural learners would be different) and the L plate is more of a convience for other road users and at times probably explains why learners are riding/driving in the way that they are. More to the point, everyone gets to go through thses conditions when they make their way through the liciencing system. I are not aware of it causing a problem and in fact it could do the opposite. I think that all new/squid riders need to accept that these are the conditions and live with it . Whats next, you guys think you should be allowed to ride over 250cc or something. In believe that the reasoning for having the conditions that are complained about are very valid and should stay just the way they are. Otherwise we might end up with more bike fatalities should it be changed as it takes time for a rider to become competent.

Oh and comparing riding a motorcycle to a cage is rather pointless as it takes more skill and brains to ride, any wanker can operate a cage

:

**Streetwise** · 1st March 2006, 10:29

So by your ruling ill sit on my learners for six months, The my restricted for 18months on my GN250, then ill get my full licence and go buy a 1700cc vtwin, is this a safe option or would a raise in the cc rating as your licence level increases a better idae,????

just a thought

**Hitcher** · 1st March 2006, 11:52

It's not the size of the bike, it's how you choose to ride it.

**Streetwise** · 1st March 2006, 15:58

tell that to a 17 year old.

**inlinefour** · 1st March 2006, 16:15

Originally Posted by Streetwise

tell that to a 17 year old.

And thats why the liciencing conditions system is a good idea...

**kickingzebra** · 1st March 2006, 21:16

Hmm, My keenest memory, of actually trying to be a good citizen, and follow the rules of my learner license, coming back from a longish trip, going through a gorge, at 70, sitting close to the left, going around a right hander, and some W*****r in a hillman 2.5 litre just waltzes past as if I wasn't there... Pushing me into the gravel, and damn near oblivion. Ignored the rule from that day on, and followed the motto of go just a little bit faster than the general flow of traffic, that way people don't forget you exist, and you are more likely to be in control of your surroundings. I say keep the L plates, and the time restrictions, although maybe contract them a bit, 11 to 4. Fact is night riding is a whole new bag of chicks, and far more fatigueing than is day riding. Takes time to learn. But I wholeheartedly agree, the 70 kph speed limit, and motorcyclists riding in the gutter as a result is absolute nonsense.

Don't ride in the gutter guys, give yourselves room to move!! (sorry, pet hate!)

**Bandit Rider** · 1st March 2006, 23:24

When I got my licence there was no "L" sticker for bikes, and no 70 km; and straight to full licence (a long time ago).

The "L" sticker is ridiculous, they gave up on it for cars in the 1970 because it was a waste of time, and brought it back - probably for the same reason.

A bike with an "L" plate doing 70 km on the motorway is dangerous - I wouldn't be doing it - too dangerous for me after a lot of years and kilometers. Even worse on a narrow road - I know from cycling - basically you need to be able to ride within about 10 cm of the edge of the seal and do it without flinching while an enormous truck with wheels as tall as you goes past about 10 cm on the other side. It's bad enough when you really know what you are doing - crazy for a learner.

Learning without killing yourself is a serious business - and we know a lot more about how to ride safely than we used to. I am all in favour of some serious training, so people do learn safely. "L" stickers and 70 km are not the answer.

**Skyryder** · 4th March 2006, 17:43

Not much point in having learner plates other than to advertise all and sundry you are a beginner. Can understand when learning to drive a car with instructor but that's another issue.

Never have believed in the cc restriction either. I have always believed you learn on what you will use.

Skyryder

**DirtMad** · 4th March 2006, 17:50

I think the whole system is far from perfect, but I have a problem with the 70km/hr limit. The L plate can cause bad attitudes, but thats life as a L rider. But the 70 limit is just rediculous

**Wolf** · 4th March 2006, 19:40

Originally Posted by Hitcher

It's not the size of the bike, it's how you choose to ride it.

I'm sure Great-Uncle Owen would agree with you - he learned at age 15 on gravel roads with no helmet on a 1340cc Harley.

You could, back then. Somehow people survived the experiences and became old buggers with years of experience. But, shhh, don't tell anyone, it runs counter to the current fallacy that we need to be wrapped in cotton wool to protect ourselves from ourselves.

Admittedly, there was a lot less traffic on the roads in those days.