I got split on!

[Dr Bob]

Heh i got confused with all the debate previously.
So right hand side of lane, but staying in it of course, with lane markings on your right...

Yep, you can overtake within a lane on the right hand side of the vehicle. Or on the left if the vehicle is completely stationary and you are doing it in a safe and considerate manner.

However, the cars that don't move to the left of the lane are breaking the law.

[Devil]

However, the cars that don't move to the left of the lane are breaking the law.

Thats definately an interesting point to try and argue heh.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Yeah, of course have to wait. No question, wouldnt risk hitting a bike. But the times its happened hasnt even been rush hour or anything, just stopping at a multi lane set of traffic lights...I dont see the point of lane splitting there.

As far as your safety is concerned. The safest option would be to not split at all..

But bikers like to take off fast too..... And splitting I take as a necessary risk in Auckland traffic. I do what I can to minimise the risk, but whatever you do, you have to accept some level of risk.

Warning: ridiculous sarcasm>>
I could stay at home in bed, but wait, thats dangerous too... health risks...

[Devil]

But bikers like to take off fast too..... And splitting I take as a necessary risk in Auckland traffic. I do what I can to minimise the risk, but whatever you do, you have to accept some level of risk.

Warning: ridiculous sarcasm>>
I could stay at home in bed, but wait, thats dangerous too... health risks...

Hehehe.
Ok, How about if any biker see's a dark dark green VR4 at the front of the queue, dont pull infront of him ok?

[James Deuce]

I've been commuting on the bike for 3 weeks now.

There are some utter retards out there (inc. motorcyclists) who have little regard for human life. Well they APPEAR to have little regard. I think it is more likely that they have never had to deal with the consequences of seriously injuring or even killing someone, so it doesn't enter their head to be careful around bikes. The motorcyclists who lane split at warp speed are (brace yourselves) asking for an accident. Most people in ciommuter traffic are NOT very attuned to what is going on around them and only drive to car in front.

A simple formula for you. If you see someone was injured in an MVA on the news and they rate the injuries? This is how it works.

Minor injuries: Broken bones and abrasions. 2-6 weeks off work.
Moderate: Broken bones requiring fixation, abrasions and gashes requiring skin grafts or stitches. Possibly concussion as well. 6-12 weeks off work, some long term implications and possible minor disability.
Serious: Barely alive, possibly bits missing, serious head injury. Long term hospital stay of 3 weeks or more. Up to 6 months off work. Disabled to a greater or lesser extent. Might not be an obvious disability, but quality of life will be affected from time to time.
Critical: Was dead at the accident scene and revived. Will never be the same again and probably won't have much in the way of quality of life. Probably shouldn't have been revived but because medical technicians can, they do it anyway.

Only takes being run over by following traffic when you do get knocked off at motorway speed to get a critical rating.

Commuting isn't a race, and how is getting to work first any sort of prize?? (Except for jrandom who likes his job - freak)

Take it easy.

Nice to see you avoided the bugger and can vent here mangell.

[vifferman]

Yeah, of course have to wait. No question, wouldnt risk hitting a bike. But the times its happened hasnt even been rush hour or anything, just stopping at a multi lane set of traffic lights...I dont see the point of lane splitting there.

As far as your safety is concerned. The safest option would be to not split at all..

Well, I like to go to the front regardless of how heavy the traffic is, blah de blah blah. The reason is twofold:
1. When I'm commuting, the cars' engines are still cold, and spewing out heaps of crappy unburnt fuel etc into the air, and if I'm following them, I'm riding in this. My jacket has black 'highlights' (or should that be 'lowlights'?)from all this crap, and every time I clean my visor and helmet, they're the same. I guess I should really take the bus, but I value my indendence, and riding to work is the best part of the day. I can't completely eliminate the risks (including pollution) but I can minimise them.
2. The cars accelerate much slower than my bike. Yawn....

Yeah, not lane-splitting at all is the safest option. I rarely do it, and only where I can do so easily and safely, and where the traffic is stationary. I'm not riding a bike for economy, but because it shaves up to an hour off my commute, which is less than 20 minutes (taking a round-about, scenic route), but has taken up to 90 in the car, and about 40 in the bus. The route I choose avoids stops (where I'd be sucking in fumes, and yawning...), has more corners, is longer, but means I'm almost always in motion, as opposed to taking the direct route, which would save as much as 25% or more distance, but take about the same time. Or longer.

If it comes to that, not riding at all is the safest option, and one I have considered. Riding is a calculated risk.
And life is a terminal disease, and I have no desire to prolong it, nor make it seem even longer and more tiresome by increasing the boredom factor.

[vifferman]

Hehehe.
Ok, How about if any biker see's a dark dark green VR4 at the front of the queue, dont pull infront of him ok?

Why - is it one of those ones subject to a recall for being defective?

[Devil]

...stuff...

Heh. Definately not trying to get into the risk argument here.
I was just pointing out that some of you buggers ruin my fun just to get two seconds ahead (without realising it). Not talking about morning/evening rush hours here, totally accept the benefits of safe lane splitting on motorway etc.

Maybe im just going to have to take the car to puke and have a blat and get it out of my system.

[Devil]

Why - is it one of those ones subject to a recall for being defective?

Heh. Nah, they didnt want mine (fuck knows why, its '97 with ASC, maybe its slightly later in '97??), but they've taken my dads one to get fixed.

And anyway, wouldnt that be "dont sit in front of me coming up to an intersection"

[Jackrat]

Couldn't believe it.

This morning riding to work traffic was moving nicely and as I came up to the Melling Lights (Wgtn) I couldn't split as a silver falcoon was in the right hand lane hugging the centre line. Tosser I thought as I idled past. Well the lights were about to change to go so I decided to just idle behind the traffic noticing that the silver car had moved in behind me, Ah well.

I was approximately one metre to the left of the line and about a car length behind the car in front when the silver falcoon decides to move up on the inside and undertake me!!!!

Couldn't believe it! So I thought sod you and split through the remaining moving vehicles (admission of guilt) to the intersection.

As a result of this "shocking" event, I didn't even notice Hamish, of Lynda fame, pulling to the extreme right to allow me past when I was behind him.

I mean incredible

Mike

I split at the lights just like you,I know most car drivers hate it "I don't give a fuck what they think" and I'm definatly never suprised if one of them takes offence and acts on it,or just drives like a pushy bastard.
So it's not shocking or unbelivable at all,just par for the course.
The guy just showed you the same consideration you showed him and all the others you/we/I split on.
You didn't really think they like it did you??
I'm just Glad he didn't cause you any real harm.
Welcome to the real world.

[vifferman]

I split at the lights just like you,I know most car drivers hate it "I don't give a fuck what they think" and I'm definatly never suprised if one of them takes offence and acts on it,or just drives like a pushy bastard.
So it's not shocking or unbelivable at all,just par for the course.
The guy just showed you the same consideration you showed him and all the others you/we/I split on.
You didn't really think they like it did you??
I'm just Glad he didn't cause you any real harm.
Welcome to the real world.

In five years of commuting in D'Auckland, I've seen hardly any drivers take offense at me cutting throught the traffic, and in fact I'm usually surprised at the number that pull over to make room. Most of my riding doesn't impede them or affect them at all, so if they get pissed off then that's their problem, and is just an outward manifestation of a "sour grapes" attitude: "Hey! I'm stuck in this traffic - how dare you avoid being stuck too!" So therefore it's easy to shrug off any negative stuff that occurs.

[merv]

You may have got split on but at least you didn't get "spit" (or "spat") on.

[Jackrat]

In five years of commuting in D'Auckland, I've seen hardly any drivers take offense at me cutting throught the traffic, and in fact I'm usually surprised at the number that pull over to make room. Most of my riding doesn't impede them or affect them at all, so if they get pissed off then that's their problem, and is just an outward manifestation of a "sour grapes" attitude: "Hey! I'm stuck in this traffic - how dare you avoid being stuck too!" So therefore it's easy to shrug off any negative stuff that occurs.

Errrrr,so we fully agree with each other then.
It only takes one and it seems Mr Mangell just met one.
I'm just saying is it shouldn't come as a suprise if it does happen.
As you say, shrug it off, it's their problem.
Or as I say "fuck em" it's their problem.
On a slightly different note,Iv'e been driving into the city every day for the last week and have only seen two bikes on the southern going my way,both spliting and leaving me sitting.So where the heck is everybody??

[mangell6]

Errrrr,so we fully agree with each other then.
It only takes one and it seems Mr Mangell just met one.
I'm just saying is it shouldn't come as a suprise if it does happen.
As you say, shrug it off, it's their problem.
Or as I say "fuck em" it's their problem.

Quite agree with you Jackrat, its his problem not mine.

I figure that it is like there are only seven dickheads in the world and they get around a lot.

I also figure that I made his day for him.

Isn't it all happy when we agree with each other.

Celtcno6 - I was already at work while you were in the car chatting with John. When do you get his bike to ride?

Zed - Like you I keep a real eagle eye on the traffic around me, trying to gauge what the drivers mood is and their next move. Thought the guy was moving into the further left lane, musta changed his mind, yeah thats it

But the thrill of the split is . . . . .

Mike

[riffer]

Celtcno6 - I was already at work while you were in the car chatting with John. When do you get his bike to ride?

It needs a warrant first. Hopefully the fork seals don't have to be done (they're slightly leaky on one fork) and I have to make a claim on the stuff that was damaged.

Still waiting on a quote from Capital Watch Services on the repair of the strap and face on my Citizen Wingman and The Last Footwear Company on the repair of my custom riding boots. White Trash has already sorted me on the quotes for the rest of the gear.

So, probably about 2 weeks all going well... I am so hanging out to get back on a bike. Probably best not to at the moment, as my left ankle is still pretty sore. Those ligaments took a fair twist and really make themselves known at the end of the day.