Lanesplitters! PLEASE slow down!

**Edbear** · 14th February 2008, 07:26

Heading into Central Auck on Tuesday morning and keeping an eye on the mirrors for lanesplitters, (I always try to allow room when I see them coming through), I was disturbed at the speeds you guys were doing!

From the bigger sports and nakeds to the smaller 250's and learners, everyone who passed me was going too fast for the conditions! I winced as most bikes split at speeds that would leave them no chance if anything went wrong, such as cars changing lanes.

In heavy traffic, cars will dart from lane to lane suddenly and with little more than a single flick of their indicator if at all. I just hoped that no-one came to grief on their way to work!

**Swoop** · 14th February 2008, 07:42

I am wondering about the chap on the black 2008 Katana this morning though. Hazard lights on while filtering... at a quick-ish pace?

**rasty** · 14th February 2008, 11:05

Originally Posted by Edbear

Heading into Central Auck on Tuesday morning and keeping an eye on the mirrors for lanesplitters, (I always try to allow room when I see them coming through), I was disturbed at the speeds you guys were doing!

From the bigger sports and nakeds to the smaller 250's and learners, everyone who passed me was going too fast for the conditions! I winced as most bikes split at speeds that would leave them no chance if anything went wrong, such as cars changing lanes.

In heavy traffic, cars will dart from lane to lane suddenly and with little more than a single flick of their indicator if at all. I just hoped that no-one came to grief on their way to work!

And 90% of the guys on the Nor'Western as well.

**NOMIS** · 14th February 2008, 11:17

Originally Posted by rasty

And 90% of the guys on the Nor'Western as well.

I do the Nor western binned on the way home the other day some dumb bitch rolling a fag decided to change in front of me, put the shits up me glad my bikes ok landed on me at bout 20 kmph just 1 lil scratch and a tad brethless for a bit, but yeh i definatly slowed down now...

they should let bikes use the bloody bus lanes so much safer and no way we will get in the way. Im gunna do it any way especially on days like to day

**jrandom** · 14th February 2008, 11:32

Originally Posted by Edbear

Heading into Central Auck on Tuesday morning and keeping an eye on the mirrors for lanesplitters, (I always try to allow room when I see them coming through), I was disturbed at the speeds you guys were doing!

Back in the day, I crashed twice while filtering on the motorway in the wet on my old FXR150, braking hard for cars that switched lanes without indicating.

I'm lucky I didn't get run over, really.

These days I definitely filter differently when it's raining. I still move through gaps, but I do it with distinctly more deliberation and caution than is evident in my usual reasonably-quick filtering pace on dry clear days. Haven't had any 'moments' since I adopted that conscious approach.

Perhaps some riders need to listen to their gut more, and slow down until they know they feel comfortable with their pace in heavy traffic on wet roads.

Then again, maybe you're just a nana.

**Blue Velvet** · 14th February 2008, 11:35

Burn them!!

**Mully** · 14th February 2008, 11:52

Yeah, seen several people doing the Northwestern Carpark at speed which make me wince. See a blue R1 most mornings. Today, he wasn't splitting, just sitting in the queue like a good boy.

Also saw someone riding up the shoulder behind a bus (citybound). My thoughts would be that I'd rather get a ticket for riding on the shoulder than a cage taking me out.

Cops/those in the know: What is the official "crime" for riding on the shoulder of motorways and how much is the fine??

**jrandom** · 14th February 2008, 11:59

Originally Posted by Mully

My thoughts would be that I'd rather get a ticket for riding on the shoulder than a cage taking me out.

Whether or not a cage takes you out while filtering is in your control. Don't put yourself in the wrong position doing the wrong velocity at the wrong time, and you'll stay upright.

Riding on the emergency shoulder is dangerous and illegal. Other vehicles shouldn't have to check for traffic overtaking them there.

**Ixion** · 14th February 2008, 12:00

Originally Posted by jrandom

Riding on the emergency shoulder is dangerous and illegal. Other vehicles shouldn't have to check for traffic overtaking them there.

So, where does that leave the buses ?

**jrandom** · 14th February 2008, 12:03

Originally Posted by Ixion

So, where does that leave the buses ?

Bus lanes are not emergency shoulders. I agree that Transit should open them to motorcyclists.

Mully didn't make a clear distinction between bus lanes and shoulders not intended for traffic, though, so I thought I'd maintain KB tradition and post a hasty and vitriolic response.

**Edbear** · 14th February 2008, 12:05

Originally Posted by jrandom

Then again, maybe you're just a nana.

Yup!

**Grahameeboy** · 14th February 2008, 12:07

Originally Posted by Ixion

So, where does that leave the buses ?

There are buses in Auckland?

**skidz** · 14th February 2008, 12:10

I was sure that you could use the bus lanes on a motorcycle. It's been the law for a few years hasn't it?

**Grahameeboy** · 14th February 2008, 12:11

The trick is to hop traffic when filtering...by this I mean you see a nice gap ahead, filter aiming for gap. Pause and so on. This gives you a breathing space and you don't get stuck in that filter vison when you are likely to miss a hazard and think about what you are doing.