Ride the RIGHT wheel track (not the left)

[Jerms]

They probably didn't see you because you were following too close to the car. If you were further back you wouldn't have been obscured.

Nice save though.

Yeah it's hard to keep a good distance leaving an intersection. I'm still learning not to pass slow cagers in residential areas... I blame the bike really...doesn't like to play nice!

[Brownstoo]

Scooters are always on the extreme left.
They also usually use the bicycle lane instead of the actual road.

And then they blame everyone else for not seeing them...

[chasio]

As for what actual wheel track to ride in...
Well, for me it is actually the one that makes me obvious to the hazards I detect....
In fact the mare fact I weave over the road makes me more noticeable to the average person who only notices things that are different....

+1 on all of this

A regular case in point is the transit lane on Onewa Road on the North Shore, which is the left hand of two lanes towards SH1.

At peak time the right lane is typically full of traffic for a couple of kms, but the transit lane moves freely. The right hand side of the left wheel track is way safer than the right wheel track to see and be seen for oncoming traffic turning through the stopped cars and right across the transit lane, suicidal college students appearing from in front of trucks, etc. And approaching a junction that's on the left, a weave to the middle of the lane and back works wonders at grabbing cager attention.

I've seen several near misses in front of me for riders in the right wheel track that would have been non-events had they been in the left track.

In fact all we need to do now it to get buses banned from that lane and we'll be away laughing.

[swbarnett]

My Father is a perfect example of what you're talking about.

He was travelline in the left wheel track between two cars and was hit by a car turning right whose driver thought there was a gap. He nearly died in hospital when an embolism from his compund leg fracture passed through a vital organ (heart or lung, I can't remember which). The right side of the tank ended up only an inch from the left.


Since this I weave while passing intersections, depending on what traffic is about. If there's traffic to my left I approach in the left wheel track so they will see me (or at least have a better chance of doing so) and then move right as I pass to give me more room to react if they haven't. The reverse applies if there's traffic to my right. If there's traffic in both directions I tend to stay more or less central as I pass after weaving once to allow better visibility from both sides.

[MSTRS:Me]

I've seen several near misses in front of me for riders in the right wheel track that would have been non-events had they been in the left track.

Proof that neither wheel track is 'best' all the time. The trick is to recognise and adapt in any given situation.

He was travelline in the left wheel track between two cars and was hit by a car turning right whose driver thought there was a gap.

With respect to the above, this is why the right wheel track is best GENERALLY.

[chasio]

Proof that neither wheel track is 'best' all the time. The trick is to recognise and adapt in any given situation.

100% agree and that's what I was aiming at... I probably wasn't too clear about it though

[skinman]

as one of the hated moped/scooter riders we often ride in the left wheel track or cycle or bus lane because the damm thing wont go fast enough particularly up hill, taking off, or in 70/80km zones. I will ride the right track when up to speed & it is more or less safe to do so. ps that bit between the tracks is sooo slippery when wet. /\/\/\ (smiles arent working )

[MarkH]

ps that bit between the tracks is sooo slippery when wet.

In the wet you need to be more aware than normal with your road position and with the many many dangers - paint, metal covers, oil drips at intersections, cats eyes, etc.

Generally you should never 'always ride the right track'. You should always be thinking about your position on the road and be wherever it is safest. Left, right, middle (careful here in the wet) or weaving - whatever gives you the best visibility and/or gives other motorists the best visibility of you.

[Renegade]

a guy i ride regulary with is an ex MOT motorcycle cop and he "mostly" rides the left wheel track, i asked him why?

he said that if the traffic in front suddenly stops and for what ever reason you cant stop in time (he pointed out that nearly all riders tail gate cars) you will naturally swerve and if your in the right wheel track that will be into on coming traffic which = dead.
If in the left chances are it wont be as bad.

also left track you can see left side roads which are closer to you therefore more of a danger, cars from the right you should see first and make yourself known.

Also when going around blind corners if the car coming the other way cuts the corner you are not hit head on.

i thought it made sense.