Two more bikers taken out by wrong-side tourist

[Bikernereid]

One serious probem facing any bike rider is driving in Brussels. Firstly, you must have balls of steel as these guys drive like bloody maniacs. The second and even wrose problem is the inner ring system. This system is designed to keep traffic off the major inner road by utlising a tunnel system. That in itself sounds good but what you have to be aware of is that if you wish to exit a tunnel to access a road you are pulling off to the right as drivers wishing to enter the tunnel are pulling in at the same time. So the whole exit/enterance eperience is a hug game of chicken with the mre determined person winning. As you can imagine this is great fun, especially when you have people driving at the speed limit coming up on your arse as you are trying to exit.

But once you have mastered it you will be a more confident if not 'aggressive' / assertive rider!!

I have driven/ridden in Europe and it is brilliant. Riding on the right was no problem at all.

The problem I did have was one that a lot of Kiwis may not think about and that is riding on the motorway networks. Kilometers of crushingly boring high speed travel. The concentration reqiuired was enormous. I got semi freaked out by the sheer volume of traffic especially around big Euro cities. And the traffic jams. That took more getting used to than whatever side of the road I was supposed to be on.

One tip I got from a touring Brit was to tie a piece of Hi-viz fabric around your right glove. The ends flap in the breeze as a constant reminder on what side of the road to be on. It worked but hell it was annoying.

[scracha]

Believe me the first thing I will do before I start driving/riding in NZ is see if I can get some advanced driving/riding lessons.

Why? You'll be in the minority here if you drive/ride properly. My missus and I are starting to drive like kiwi's now.....we leave 1m braking distance at 100kmph and never bother to indicate, especially at roundabouts.

Most important unwritten rule whilst driving over here....give way to the bigger vehicle with bull bars.

[sandmart]

Ive been over seas and driving on the right is confussing to start with but as long as you learn there give way rules you adjust to it and after that you know where you are and thers no problem. except for as someone said tiredness. which is cured easily and thats pull over and rest. they should at least have to sit a theory test so they know the rules.
Keep right side up and the rubber on the road. Cheers Martin.

[BiK3RChiK]

I haven't driven overseas but having been a visitor in a right hand drive country I would definitely think twice before just jumping behind the wheel and off I go!! Round-a-bouts are the worse! You go right around it instead of left - giving way to traffic on your left!!! WTF??? As I said... It'd take me a loooong while before I'd jump behind the wheel! I've always taken the bus or a taxi...

M

[Robbo]

I haven't driven overseas but having been a visitor in a right hand drive country I would definitely think twice before just jumping behind the wheel and off I go!! Round-a-bouts are the worse! You go right around it instead of left - giving way to traffic on your left!!! WTF??? As I said... It'd take me a loooong while before I'd jump behind the wheel! I've always taken the bus or a taxi...

M

Excellent response, as we all need to take responsability for our own actions first and foremost, not only for the lives of other road users but for our own as well. Familiarity is the is the problem we face when only having being used to our own road usage and rules and when in another country we need to learn and understand fully what we are facing and stay mindfull at all times.
I guess that having to drive on the opposite side of the road that we are used to would obviously be one of the main challenges. Food for thought.

[Waylander]

Been here just under 4 years now and not once have I accidentally driven/riden on the wrong side of the road. Even in the middle of the night when I was tired as.
You would have to be incredibly stupid and probably a bad driver to begin with to screw up something that simple.

[madandy]

Been here just under 4 years now and not once have I accidentally driven/riden on the wrong side of the road. Even in the middle of the night when I was tired as.
You would have to be incredibly stupid and probably a bad driver to begin with to screw up something that simple.

Its a good test of cleverness mate. A bit like driving a Euro car with the indicator stalk on the wrong side. Some people have their wits about them and get it right...others drive around corners waving their windscreen wipers lol