What the hell?

**ekspatriat** · 29th April 2007, 07:19

Im a Pom fresh over and have heard of the 'Riding too close to the Centre of the Road' charge that exists here. What the F@#% is that? The UK Police motorcycle training code specifically encourages you to ride approx 1 foot to the left of the road centre in normal conditions. Am i to understand the powers that be in this country wish us to know that this practice is abhorrent and we will be arrested and executed if we dare use safe riding methods. Oh and by the way arent car drivers guilty of this 100% of the time on standard carriageways?

**Grahameeboy** · 29th April 2007, 07:39

It is a recent thing I think...yeah a bit dumb cause I always ride closer to the centre line as I am more visible (if that were possible here) and have more room to avoid a hazard.

The other week I was going to work....a Waste Collection truck did a uee and a Waste Truck coming the other way decided to turn in front to go back the other way...yes I know....and if I had been riding a foot from the kerb, I would not have been able to avoid the truck.

And you wonder why driving over here is puzzling....

**jtzzr** · 29th April 2007, 07:40

Crikey never heard of that one ,now I`m curious ,and wander how you would pass another vehicle without crossing the center-line ?I personally think it`s untrue , but I have been wrong before.

**Grahameeboy** · 29th April 2007, 07:46

'ere you go geezer

"You must ride on the road - you can't ride on the footpath or a cycle path. Keep as far left as you can. You may use bus lanes, as long as there isn't a sign forbidding this"

**Babelfish** · 29th April 2007, 08:43

Rules? for the road? Really?

On a more serious note, I'd be surprised if anyone was pulled on this...the rozzer would have to be a complete tw@. Has anyone on here run into an actual example of its use? I wonder if its been put in place to aid in reckless driving charges where position to the centre has been a factor?

**James Deuce** · 29th April 2007, 09:00

It's a failing to keep left charge if they decide to do you, and this issue has been discussed at length. Fundamentally, the LTSA revised the law and then without accepting blame went, "Oh yeah, that's right, we didn't mean motorcycles had to ride in the gutter."

Problem is you can still get done for failing to keep left by any cop who takes exception to you, even if you weren't doing anything wrong. I wouldn't expect a cop who rides to even look twice, but cops who've never been on a bike may have a different opinion.

**SlashWylde** · 29th April 2007, 09:07

It's because you are in the Southern Hemisphere now. Has to do with the Coriolis Effect, you know, the direction water swirls down drains and all that... Unfortunately we are over-legislated in this country so the government had to write it into law to 'protect us' from ourselves.

Don't worry about it dude. Just ride where you think is safe according to the conditions.

Which reminds me, there's a public road safety message you should know about which gets played a lot on the radio. It goes something like this:

"Ride to the conditions, when they change just take some speed".

**ekspatriat** · 29th April 2007, 09:21

Hey heard that one....So if Im riding at say 30 in the pissing rain and it dries up and gets all nice and sunny.......do I reduce my speed cos the conditions changed??????????? (Pratty advert that one eh!)

**James Deuce** · 29th April 2007, 09:26

Excellent, you have the "correct" sense of humour to function both on KB and in NZ.

**marty** · 29th April 2007, 09:26

5 posts - all whinges? you'll fit in perfect

**Edbear** · 29th April 2007, 09:30

I find that the middle of the lane tends to be less bumpy as one is out of the wheel tracks. Never had a cop bat an eye at wherever I was in my lane but have heard of someone being done for this. Not sure why,maybe they upset the cop?

**Mystery** · 29th April 2007, 09:56

Hi ekspatriat

From the NZ Motorcycle Road Code

Where is the best place to position your motorcycle on the road whilst riding?

a. In the centre of the road
b. In the postion normally taken up by the right wheels of a car
c. As close to the left as possible

The correct answer is "b. In the postion normally taken up by the right wheels of a car"

**rainman** · 29th April 2007, 09:59

I'm confused.... my Road Code for Motorcyclists 2006 says:

"You can use your position on the road to make sure others can see you, by riding in the position taken up by the right-hand wheels of the vehicle ahead." p30.