Learner Licence riders......

**Toaster** · 24th May 2007, 10:54

Hey to you good people out there on Learner licences.....
Firstly, good on you for getting into motorcycling!

For those of you wise enough to obey the speed restrictions, please keep in mind that not making way for traffic when you have reasonable opportunity to do so - when you are riding at 70kmh in a 100kmh zone - is illegal and carries a penalty of $150 if caught.

For your own safety and that of other road users please pull over and let traffic pass. It only take a few moments of your time and builds the respect of other road users towards bikers who show considerate behaviour.

I saw an example of this in rural Rodney this week. The rider was riding way too slow for the traffic flow and caused a significant back log on a road too dangerous to overtake on but where the average speed is between 95-100kmh.

A simple indication and pulling to the left for a while to let cars and trucks pass works wonders!

Safe riding out there.
Cheers!
Toaster.

**Maha** · 24th May 2007, 11:01

Good point Toaster, im finding alot of cars in recent times are pulling over and giving me room...thumbs up to them, they always get a wave when i slide past...

**007XX** · 24th May 2007, 11:49

Well, there is a prickly topic if ever I saw one. Now...yes, I am Looner. 6 years riding first a 49.9cc grunting moped

, an asthmatic GN250 and now, major improvement with the use of a VTR250 (God I love her!). I don't have an issue with sticking to the speed limit, even advise it strongly as one needs to crawl before being able to walk. And as far as letting faster traffic pass you by, that should be just simple common sense. But please bear in mind it doesn't mean you should disappear into the curb! You are still a vehicle allowed to have your own space on the road.
I'm looking at doing a track day soon, as I have outgrown the 70 km/h by about 70km/h more(oups!) and feel rather guilty about breaking the rules even if I do it in open roads with no traffic.

It's all about getting the skill!!!

**HDTboy** · 24th May 2007, 12:28

Where's the option for those Learners who are on big bikes?

**Toaster** · 24th May 2007, 12:40

Originally Posted by HDTboy

Where's the option for those Learners who are on big bikes?

Hehehe yes good point. I guess you would come under the no L-plate option!

**Quartermile** · 24th May 2007, 12:47

can we answer this for what we did when we were learners?

**yod** · 24th May 2007, 13:22

Originally Posted by Quartermile

can we answer this for what we did when we were learners?

i did

ten char

**Toaster** · 24th May 2007, 13:24

Originally Posted by Quartermile

can we answer this for what we did when we were learners?

Good idea dude..... do it.....

**Lissa** · 24th May 2007, 13:37

I am a learner. I had a L Plate, but.... somehow, somewhere it got ripped in half. I for one dont really think the warehouse ones are designed to take speeds of up to 70kph which is what I ride all the time.....

Do I pull over to the let cars pass me?!?! .... umm never really had to, but I guess I would if I was holding someone up, thats just good manners.

**Toaster** · 24th May 2007, 13:40

Originally Posted by Lissa

I am a learner. I had a L Plate, but.... somehow, somewhere it got ripped in half.

So you have a half-L plate left? So that would look like "I" correct??

....... so what would "I" stand for??!!

**Lissa** · 24th May 2007, 13:41

Originally Posted by Toaster

So you have a half-L plate left? So that would look like "I" correct??

....... so what would "I" stand for??!!

Insane I think

**Rosie** · 24th May 2007, 14:02

I displayed an L plate, rode at 100 (ish, took a little while to get comfortable at open road speeds) and would pull over when someone faster came up behind me - 'cos they are probably going to overtake you anyway, and it's better if they do it on your terms, rather than just about running you over passing on a blind corner.

**Toaster** · 24th May 2007, 14:10

Originally Posted by Rosie

it's better if they do it on your terms, rather than just about running you over passing on a blind corner.

Well said Rosie.

**xwhatsit** · 24th May 2007, 15:06

I don't think it's worth the inconvenience to others, or own personal danger, to actually obey the 70kph part of it. It's been done to death here on the forums; stuff the 70kph bit, L-plate or none (I wear my L-plate for interest's sake, and have never been pinged for 70kph+ despite doing 100kph right in front of cops). LTNZ themselves are looking at this issue (Ixion, I believe, posted about it a while back (where is Ixion?)) and a lot of people in authorities seem to like the idea of removing this limit. I believe it was introduced when national speed limit was 80kph or something, so made more sense, but nowadays it's just ridiculous.

Learner riders have enough to worry about without having to be tailgated and keep pulling onto the bad side of the road to let others past. Just do 100kph, straight roads on the motorway are about the least dangerous thing you'll encounter. 50kph in traffic and traffic lights and roundabouts are far more scary.

**McJim** · 24th May 2007, 19:40

I obeyed all the rules of my licence when I was a learner except the 70kph one. I didn't exceed 100kph in 100 zones (by much) and obeyed 50,60,70,80 zones in built up areas.

I commuted to CBD from Eastern Auckland along the southern motorway. Regularly passing HP Police bikes and cars at 100kph while wearing an L plate.

Rode sensibly and obeyed all other rules of the road and never got stopped.

I get pissed off at Caravans and boaties that allow a column of traffic to build up behind them and don't pull over - I would like to see them receive a $150 fine for not using reasonable opportunities to pull over (i.e. they do 30 on the 55 corners then cane it up to 120kph when there's a passing lane!)