Abolish 70kph learners rule

[imne1]

Here we go again.
... then is it worth getting on the interdweeb and having a cry about it?

LOL .. good shit :-D

[McDuck]

I went 70 for about 200kms.
Then it was up to 100...

[DarkLord]

I ride a 2005 Gn250. Dad rides a honda cbr1100xx blackbird. He took me for my first open road ride recently. After initially riding at 70 kmph as per lerner licence dad decided that at the rate cars were dangerously passing to over take us that it was blatantly to dangerous to continue at 70 kph only.

How many people have been riding down the motorway and not felt safe due to having to ride so slowly.

The rule is put in place to make the learners safer riders, but with everybody else traveling at 100-110kph around them it is auctually making the roads more dangerous for these beginer motorcyclists.

Personally I believe that the speed limits should be incresed to at least 90kph so that we are not in danger due to going so slow.

What are your views?

Yes it is a very stupid and very dangerous rule. I took the L plates off and just rode at 100 km/ph as responsibly as I could to avoid being pulled over before I got my restricted. I wasn't pulled over once.

I think if you don't have L plates on and are doing 100 on the motorway (or open road) and are confident and able to handle that speed it will show in your riding and police will leave you alone.

[PHATVW]

I never actually obeyed the 70km/hr rule as it's just ridiculous and dangerous with whole line of cars getting stressed and tailgating you. It's much safer to travel at the traffic flow's speed, around 100km/hr. This is just what I did when I was on learners, not telling you should do what I did.

I think that just as long as you ride SAFE, as in being aware of your surroundings, other road users around you, your speed and their speed, indicate, check your blindspots, don't tailgate etc... then all good! Try not to attract too much attention

[Roki_nz]

I was under the impression that there was a law change or proposal to remove the 70km limit and I Think to allow learns to ride larger bikes (providing they did not go over a certain power to weight ratio). Will try and find an article or some such.

[FJRider]

I ride a 2005 Gn250. Dad rides a honda cbr1100xx blackbird. He took me for my first open road ride recently. After initially riding at 70 kmph as per lerner licence dad decided that at the rate cars were dangerously passing to over take us that it was blatantly to dangerous to continue at 70 kph only.

How many people have been riding down the motorway and not felt safe due to having to ride so slowly.

The rule is put in place to make the learners safer riders, but with everybody else traveling at 100-110kph around them it is auctually making the roads more dangerous for these beginer motorcyclists.

Personally I believe that the speed limits should be incresed to at least 90kph so that we are not in danger due to going so slow.

What are your views?

So your first open road with your father (him on a Blackbird) was along the motorway...in the holiday season... with a limit of 70 km/hr (and he knew that ???). Would it not have been safer to find routes to where you wanted to go, off the motorway ??? Or would that just be inconvenient for you... ??
So you think beginer motorcyclists should be allowed to travel at 90/100 km/hr ??? Or just on motorways...
There were reasons the laws were put in place. To stop learners dying due to lack of experience, and/or overconfidence... The law once had no restriction on engine capacity/horsepower. People died. Restrictions to what speed you are allowed to ride,were put in place, also to stop/reduce people dying.
Traveling on any open road, you must keep to as far left as is practical. More so if you are traveling slower than the main traffic flow. To impede the flow of traffic is also against the law. If you dont have the confidence to travel on any road at 70 km/hr, you find a safer (for you) one. Don't forget you are a learner...
Ignore the laws... if you choose. It costs...in more ways than one. The restriction is for a year...or less. I hope you live long enough, and can afford to see the full licence gained in that time.

[Leyton]

I would like to be mentored at 100km/hr when I finally get my learners (This Monday fingers crossed), I dont have a problem with breaking a restriction for a bit of life saving common sence! However.

As it breaks a condition of my lisence (Pending), I bealive insurance would not pay out.

So either restricted + or exemption would be the way to go.

Or somehow start a partition to change the 70km rule to some realistic compromise that allowed for a reassessment at 100km or something ?, Perhaps an additional riding class or something, Maybe even the same one you use on your restricted to fast track to your full!

[samgab]

I would like to be mentored at 100km/hr when I finally get my learners (This Monday fingers crossed), I dont have a problem with breaking a restriction for a bit of life saving common sence! However.

As it breaks a condition of my lisence (Pending), I bealive insurance would not pay out.

So either restricted + or exemption would be the way to go.

Or somehow start a partition to change the 70km rule to some realistic compromise that allowed for a reassessment at 100km or something ?, Perhaps an additional riding class or something, Maybe even the same one you use on your restricted to fast track to your full!

Yes. I too think we should have a partition for that.

[FJRider]

Yes. I too think we should have a partition for that.

NAH !!!! ... stick together...

[mister.koz]

Seem to remember something about LTSA looking to move to new restrictions based on the aussie one which includes getting rid of the 70km/h rule.

Proposed changes
http://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/...Safety-RIS.pdf

From thread:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=70332

[Hoon]

I'm in favour of the 70 kph rule. It's there to save lives.

Too dangerous you say?? So whats the road toll from learner motorcyclists holding up traffic while travelling at 70 kph on NZ open roads??? At a guess I'd say zero - anyone please feel free to correct me..... upon which I'll then say 1.

Compare this to how many lives this may save?? Seems a no brainer to me.

Cyclists travel at up to 50kph and they seem to deal with it ok. If you are a learner and want to travel on the open road then you need to be prepared to keep hard left and even pull over if the queue gets too long. Common courtesy to those behind you really, no different to driving a truck, car + boat/trailer or bus. Slow vehicles on our road are nothing new and all drivers deal with it regularly, motorcycles are no different - easier to pass if anything.

Sure it sucks but there is another option......flout the law and travel faster which is what a lot of people do. I'm OK with this too, it still acheives the aim as even then learners will only do this when absolutely necessary so their 100kph time is minimal compared to fulltime if the laws were relaxed.

Those that choose to flout it more often risk being caught and I am more than happy for them to contribute to the NZ Police budget, keeping my taxes down (hey I've made enough of these "contributions" too!!).

[mister.koz]

I'm in favour of the 70 kph rule. It's there to save lives.

Too dangerous you say?? So whats the road toll from learner motorcyclists holding up traffic while travelling at 70 kph on NZ open roads??? At a guess I'd say zero - anyone please feel free to correct me..... upon which I'll then say 1.

Compare this to how many lives this may save?? Seems a no brainer to me.

Cyclists travel at up to 50kph and they seem to deal with it ok. If you are a learner and want to travel on the open road then you need to be prepared to keep hard left and even pull over if the queue gets too long. Common courtesy to those behind you really, no different to driving a truck, car + boat/trailer or bus. Slow vehicles on our road are nothing new and all drivers deal with it regularly, motorcycles are no different - easier to pass if anything.

Sure it sucks but there is another option......flout the law and travel faster which is what a lot of people do. I'm OK with this too, it still acheives the aim as even then learners will only do this when absolutely necessary so their 100kph time is minimal compared to fulltime if the laws were relaxed.

Those that choose to flout it more often risk being caught and I am more than happy for them to contribute to the NZ Police budget, keeping my taxes down (hey I've made enough of these "contributions" too!!).

It would make more sense to say that learner riders were not allowed to ride in 100km/h areas.

As with all laws and rules there's always a reason to take exception to them and disagree. With the whole seatbelts law i have heard people mentioning "that guy who was thrown from his car that then exploded" had he been wearing his seatbelt things would have been worse of course.

I reckon the 70km/h law shouldn't be there, people should ride inside their limits and do it at a safe speed, people should also ride/drive courteously.. dreams are free.

[WhatThe???]

I spose its a good law to stop some people from pushing themselves too far. I dont follow it sometimes but then it depends where I am. If im in an area doing 70 and a car or truck could come round the corner and not see me or have time to react then il go up to 100.
It just made me think of the time that happend to me on my way to Wellington. Some little old lady doing about 60/70 I went round a corner and there she was, luckily there wasnt anything coming and I went round her.

And then theres the thought of getting caught doing 100. Isnt 30ks over a loss of licence?

I dunno, just be careful if you're going to go over 70 really. As Koz said "people should also ride/drive courteously.. " but not many actually do

[Slyer]

I've done over 6000k's on a bike and I'm still not allowed to go the same speed as everyone else.
Why don't cars have to stick to to 70kph on their learners?

[samgab]

And then theres the thought of getting caught doing 100. Isnt 30ks over a loss of licence?

Nah, this is a funny little caveat. The speed limit of the road doesn't drop to 70 when you're on your learner's, the speed limit stays the same. Rather, it's a condition of your license that you don't exceed 70. So you don't get a speeding ticket, you get a $400 fine for breaching the conditions of learner's license; but if you're doing 100 in a 100 zone, you're not actually breaking the speed limit per say by 30kms. Get it? It's weird, I know.

Sound's like you're a safe responsible rider though. Keep it up