Quick question - re bike cops

[Taz]

They may be cops that just happen to ride bikes but they're still cops.

[Pixie]

dont give bike cops any grief! it will only make them pick on us!
they are like bumble bees,

They have fat,hairy arses?

[Swoop]

They may be cops that just happen to ride bikes but they're still cops.

Luckily they don't wear tassels then...

[onearmedbandit]

what are they riding these days???

BMW's last time I had a meeting with one.

[AllanB]

There was a article in the Press ;last year re CHCH bike cops making a comeback - bla bla - able to zip between cars and get to emergencies/baddies quicker bla bla.

Then I saw one on his/her new BMW loaded to the hilt bigger than a goldwing farting around town.

Surely one of those BMW sporty 800 things would have been absolutely ideal.

[Soul.Trader]

I thought there was some new law out to force motorcyclists to keep left?

Does this not apply to bike cops riding less than a bike length appart doing 100km in busy motorway traffic

Maybe they're 'special'

There sure are a lot of busy bodies in this country - who would bother taking a photo of this, much less make a point of posting it on a web forum? Do you think anyone here sees anything wrong with what they're doing? I dont.

[Jiminy]

Unfortunately it it does exist. And yes it is a fuckin stupid law. It came in at the same time as the last rewrite of the traffic rules along with its associated demerit points.

Huh? When passing my license last year, I vaguely remember the road code recommending to ride on the right side of the lane for better visibility. I don't have a road code at hand, do you have any reference?

[Jantar]

Cheers - didn't know that.

Exactly what does it say/require? Staying left no matter what is dumb... there has to be more to it than that.

Anyone got quotes or references?

A summary is at http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/abo...-the-line.html.

Failing to keep as close as practicable to left edge of roadway 20 (demerit points)

The appropriate regulation is:

Keeping left(1) A driver, when driving, must at all times drive as near as practicable to the left side of the roadway unless this rule otherwise provides.

(2) If a driver's speed, when driving, is such as to impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic, that driver must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, move the vehicle as far as practicable to the left side of the roadway when this is necessary to allow following traffic to pass.

(3) A driver may drive in the right lane in the direction of travel when driving on a multi-lane road if—

(a) the driver is turning right, or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is giving the prescribed signal of that driver's intention to turn right; or

(b) the driver is passing; or

(c) the left lane is unavailable to the driver; or

(d) the driver is required by any provision of this rule to drive in the right lane; or

(e) a variable lane control downward-facing arrow sign indicates that the driver must drive in the right lane; or

(f) the driver is avoiding an obstruction; or

(g) the traffic in all other lanes is congested; or

(h) the traffic in every lane is congested.

[Jiminy]

Too the best of my knowledge staggered formation is still the best, safest and most accepted group riding formation. I don't believe they will would either...

Staggered means the formation looks tighter than it actually is but because it is staggered you are in theory still riding 2 seconds behind the bike durectly in front of you (and only and still gives reach rider room to manover...

Well thats the theroy anyway...

I thought that was 2 seconds behind the closest biker in front of you, therefore 4 seconds behind the one directly in front of you? Anyway, can't have too much room for braking.

[Jantar]

Huh? When passing my license last year, I vaguely remember the road code recommending to ride on the right side of the lane for better visibility. I don't have a road code at hand, do you have any reference?

Yes, the road code does recommend riding in the right hand wheel track. The ACC recommend riding in the right hand wheel track. The safest practice is to ride in the right hand wheel track (or where the driver in front can see you in his mirror). But the rule was written by back room boys who have no practical experience.

[Jiminy]

A summary is at http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/abo...-the-line.html.

Failing to keep as close as practicable to left edge of roadway 20 (demerit points)

The appropriate regulation is:

[I] Keeping left(1) A driver, when driving, must at all times drive as near as practicable to the left side of the roadway unless this rule otherwise provides.

Thanks for the reference, Jantar.

But, wait, the way I understand that rule, it means that you should ride in the lane that is as far left as practical, allowing faster vehicles to overtake you on the right lane. I don't think it's about riding on the left portion of your lane. English is not my first language, so pardon me if I'm wrong.

Another extract I found interesting on the LTSA website:
Passing or attempting to pass where no-passing lines are marked on the road

Wasn't it a rule allowing you to pass as long as you stay within the same lane?

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Yes, the road code does recommend riding in the right hand wheel track. The ACC recommend riding in the right hand wheel track. The safest practice is to ride in the right hand wheel track (or where the driver in front can see you in his mirror). But the rule was written by back room boys who have no practical experience.

Agreed...

• The right wheel track is the best spot to be, better chance of being seen by all, you should in the drivers side rear mirror (not all vehicles have a passager side mirror though I reckon they should).
• You will be seen by on coming traffic easier and further away not hidden by the vehicle ahead of you.
• You are in a better postion yourself to see and read the road especially if following any traffic. (ie trucks)
• You are in a better position to see oncoming traffic if wanting to pass, and or if any other traffic ahead is causing problems...
• You are also in a better possition to be seen from behind, if another vehicle is passing the vehicle behind you...

Personally this road code law really is only suitable for cages... and if bikes start to follow this there will be more accidents... a lot more

BRONZ should be looking at this

[Ixion]

The actual law (Road User Rule 2004) makes it plainer

Keeping left

(1) A driver, when driving, must at all times drive as near as practicable to the left side of the roadway unless this rule otherwise provides.
(2) If a driver's speed, when driving, is such as to impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic, that driver must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, move the vehicle as far as practicable to the left side of the roadway when this is necessary to allow following traffic to pass.
(3) A driver may drive in the right lane in the direction of travel when driving on a multi-lane road if—
(a) the driver is turning right, or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is giving the prescribed signal of that driver's intention to turn right; or
(b) the driver is passing; or
(c) the left lane is unavailable to the driver; or
(d) the driver is required by any provision of this rule to drive in the right lane; or
(e) a variable lane control downward-facing arrow sign indicates that the driver must drive in the right lane; or
(f) the driver is avoiding an obstruction; or
(g) the traffic in all other lanes is congested; or
(h) the traffic in every lane is congested.

Since the law spells out the circumstances when you may ride (drive) in the right hand lane, by implication, if none of them apply, you may not.

[Gubb]

spotted a rare one today on manchester street handin a local lady cage driver a ticket for overzealous stting off at the lights and slipped her rears with a slight puff of trye rubber and the bike cop was there duno where he came from but he got her before she got to the next set of lights, i must be ettin slow in my old age amazin i didnt see where he came from but i give him full marks did a good job one up to him got my vote

...Sustained loss of traction.

Dang boy-racers.

[Ixion]

Agreed...

BRONZ should be looking at this

We did. We have an assurance from the Minister that it will not be used against bikes riding right wheel track. The leagal justification resting on the "as near as practical" clause. It was quietly admitted (of the record of course) to be an oversight. But changing it would be difficult and expensive. sigh.

As far as I know no bike has ever been ticketed for it. If anyone is we will certainly take it up again.