Articale in herald today (2005/02/28)

**enigma51** · 28th February 2005, 14:22

Bikers fear new 'keep left' rule

28.02.05
By MATHEW DEARNALEY

Motorcyclists fear a revamped Road Code which came into force last night will penalise them for keeping themselves prominent and safe on streets and highways.

The Megarider Organisation, a motorcycle safety body, believes a new ability of police to log 20 demerit points against the licences of road users who fail to keep as far left as practicable will make two-wheel transport more perilous.

Failing to keep left has always been an offence punishable by an infringement fee or fine, but it is now among 32 driving misdemeanours carrying demerit points, double the previous number.

Motorists who attract 100 or more demerit points within two years face having their licences suspended for three months.

But Megarider spokesman Allan Kirk said yesterday that motorcyclists needed to be visible to stay alive, and that meant asserting their place on the road rather than hugging the left.

"Riding to the far left of the lane places the highly vulnerable motorcyclist closer to danger from the left, at risk of disaster in a gust of wind and at the mercy of bad car drivers who will push past in his lane." He believed many police had no idea of the problems motorcyclists faced.

Superintendent John Kelly, national road policing operations manager, said the introduction of demerit points for what had always been an offence was aimed at motorists who held up traffic unreasonably or took dangerous shortcuts by crossing centrelines on winding roads.

"It is not aimed at people driving in a reasonable position to keep themselves safe."

Mr Kelly said he believed very few motorists would fall foul of changes to the Road Code. Police would concentrate in early weeks on education rather than handing out penalties.

**bugjuice** · 28th February 2005, 15:05

this is what we're talking about here. I think he's got it wrong, so your poll might not work. I don't agree that bikes keep left of the lane, however, I strongly agree that traffic is in the left lane unless over taking.

The latter is (what I think) what the law is clarifying, where as the former (again, as I think) is what the journo has interpreted the change as, which is wrong..

I've emailed a top-bod at the LTNZ asking to clarify this NZ Herald article. Hopefully, he emails back to say.

**Hitcher** · 28th February 2005, 15:24

What or who are "Megariders"? Another BRONZ?

**bugjuice** · 28th February 2005, 15:29

Originally Posted by Hitcher

What or who are "Megariders"? Another BRONZ?

http://www.megarider.com/

**jrandom** · 28th February 2005, 15:40

*I* just want to know what a 'dermit point' is.

It sounds vaguely disease-related.

**Wolf** · 28th February 2005, 15:47

Originally Posted by Hitcher

What or who are "Megariders"? Another BRONZ?

Looking at their website, it looks highly commercial - buy all sorts of books and courses through their web site - "we can save your life, just pay us now."

I would not be surprised if the reason Megarider.com got all up in arms in the Herald was in aid of a bit of free advertising: apparently they've been saving bikers' lives since 1971, yet I've never heard of them before - now we've ALL heard of them. As have most of the Herald-reading population (all except that group who only buy the Herald for the cartoons)

Not bad, eh, make a loud noise in the paper about something that's likely to have an emotional impact amongst your potential clients and suddenly you don't need to take out an ad in that paper...

**Marmoot** · 28th February 2005, 15:48

Originally Posted by jrandom

*I* just want to know what a 'dermit point' is.

It sounds vaguely disease-related.

Mr. jrandom ...

**pete376403** · 28th February 2005, 15:51

Alan Kirk has been around for many years promoting motorcycle safety so in that respect he's doing ok. Maybe the report is a bit of a "shock horror" rant but if it's the only way to get peoples attention...
I'll be riding in the centre of whatever lane I happen to be in. (Unless I move over for a faster bike) - just the same as when I'm driving the car

**Skunk** · 28th February 2005, 15:58

Originally Posted by pete376403

Alan Kirk has been around for many years promoting motorcycle safety so in that respect he's doing ok. Maybe the report is a bit of a "shock horror" rant but if it's the only way to get peoples attention...
I'll be riding in the centre of whatever lane I happen to be in. (Unless I move over for a faster bike) - just the same as when I'm driving the car

Alan Kirk is opinionated. That can be a good thing if you agree with him. He is very good at getting motorcyclists issues noticed. And has some (in my opinion

) good ideas on how to stay safe.

**enigma51** · 28th February 2005, 15:58

Originally Posted by bugjuice

this is what we're talking about here. I think he's got it wrong, so your poll might not work. I don't agree that bikes keep left of the lane, however, I strongly agree that traffic is in the left lane unless over taking.

The latter is (what I think) what the law is clarifying, where as the former (again, as I think) is what the journo has interpreted the change as, which is wrong..

I've emailed a top-bod at the LTNZ asking to clarify this NZ Herald article. Hopefully, he emails back to say.

I did see your post (of course after I posted the poll). The thing is that the way this law is writen means that if a cop wants to he can give you a fine if he feels you are not left enough for his liking. IE you are looking like you have been lane splitting and he cant prove it but because you are on the right hand side of the vehicle in front you he thinks I cant get him on lane splitting so lets get him on not keeping to the left.

Im not saying it will happen but it sure gives the option.

**bikerboy** · 28th February 2005, 16:55

Originally Posted by enigma51

I did see your post (of course after I posted the poll). The thing is that the way this law is writen means that if a cop wants to he can give you a fine if he feels you are not left enough for his liking. IE you are looking like you have been lane splitting and he cant prove it but because you are on the right hand side of the vehicle in front you he thinks I cant get him on lane splitting so lets get him on not keeping to the left.

Im not saying it will happen but it sure gives the option.

That's precisely why it is vague, more power by default, and how far is "as far ..as practicable", it is however far plod feels it is then and there.

If the law was only for "motorists that cross the white lines or hold up traffic" why not just have a law that say if you do these things you get 20 demerits?

Another example are the three laws basically against tailgating. One states driving to fast for stopping distance, another driving to fast for stopping distance on roads without lane markings, and the third for driving to fast for stopping within following distance.

More bureaucratic BS taxation by stealth.

**Waylander** · 28th February 2005, 17:42

Originally Posted by Wolf

..all except that group who only buy the Herald for the cartoons..

That would be me

**Hitcher** · 28th February 2005, 21:30

I hope Megariders isn't the two-wheeled equivalent of Fast & Safe.

On that score, hasn't it been nice and quiet for a while...

**Jackrat** · 28th February 2005, 21:50

I think this will be more about people hogging the right hand lane on motorways and cutting corners than single lane positioning in normal situations.
What ever I'm certainly not worryed about it,common sence really.

**bear** · 1st March 2005, 07:23

Originally Posted by Jackrat

I think this will be more about people hogging the right hand lane on motorways and cutting corners than single lane positioning in normal situations.
What ever I'm certainly not worryed about it,common sence really.

I tend to agree, I thought it was about what lane, not where in the lane. Would be interesting to know more.