Suicidal Motorcyclists

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#830784 5-Jun-2013 06:53

last week I was in the far right lane overtaking a car and a motor cycle overtook me between the barrier and my lane, really, it is little wonder they are referred to in Australia as Temporary Australians.

I don't try and hit motor cyclists, but it sure feels like a lot of them try to hit other motorists.

And they wonder why their ACC levy is so high on their rego, it sucks that some idiots ruin it for others, as I have seen plenty of considerate, careful riders on the roads that sit in traffic and only split lanes when the traffic is at a standstill, not at 80km/h

Mark

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#830833 5-Jun-2013 09:51

In regards to the scooterers .... I think they are a hazard!
Some of the scooters out there should be able to out haul a car up to about 40kph from the traffic lights, but a lot of them are those real cheap chinese things with about as much horsepower as a hair dryer, so they just end up in the way of traffic and drivers get tempted to squeeze past them rather than wait.

Add in that you don't need to take an lessons or tests to ride one, the scooters don't need a WOF if they are less than 50cc, and they all seem to think it's fine to wear normal clothes and not bike gear ... makes me give them a wide birth.

In theory scooters are a good thing, less large metal boxes on the roads, but they REALLY need to enforce learning and tests on the riders.

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#830834 5-Jun-2013 09:55

Mark: In regards to the scooterers .... I think they are a hazard!
Some of the scooters out there should be able to out haul a car up to about 40kph from the traffic lights, but a lot of them are those real cheap chinese things with about as much horsepower as a hair dryer, so they just end up in the way of traffic and drivers get tempted to squeeze past them rather than wait.

Add in that you don't need to take an lessons or tests to ride one, the scooters don't need a WOF if they are less than 50cc, and they all seem to think it's fine to wear normal clothes and not bike gear ... makes me give them a wide birth.

In theory scooters are a good thing, less large metal boxes on the roads, but they REALLY need to enforce learning and tests on the riders.

I worry 10 times more about scooters than 1000cc bikes no question about it.

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#830837 5-Jun-2013 10:00

do we worry about them as a hazard or just using that reason because they just slow us down and if they slow us down how long is that for, not long I would suspect. I get the same thing from people telling me that cyclists hold them up but when you ask them for how long its generally less than a minute and only seconds so maybe its just the perception that in cars smaller or slower should give way to bigger!

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Mark

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#830855 5-Jun-2013 10:43

jeffnz: do we worry about them as a hazard or just using that reason because they just slow us down and if they slow us down how long is that for, not long I would suspect. I get the same thing from people telling me that cyclists hold them up but when you ask them for how long its generally less than a minute and only seconds so maybe its just the perception that in cars smaller or slower should give way to bigger!

I find scooters and cyclists to be wobbly, hard to predict mobile hazards ... some of both breeds know what they are doing and give you hints about what they are about to do, but there are too many others who don't ... so I treat them all the same just in case.

Be nice if NZ could do what Holland and Germany have done and put in proper cycle paths .. and that cyclists would then actually use them :-) But all down to $$$ I suppose.

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#830864 5-Jun-2013 11:19

Mark:
jeffnz: do we worry about them as a hazard or just using that reason because they just slow us down and if they slow us down how long is that for, not long I would suspect. I get the same thing from people telling me that cyclists hold them up but when you ask them for how long its generally less than a minute and only seconds so maybe its just the perception that in cars smaller or slower should give way to bigger!

I find scooters and cyclists to be wobbly, hard to predict mobile hazards ... some of both breeds know what they are doing and give you hints about what they are about to do, but there are too many others who don't ... so I treat them all the same just in case.

Be nice if NZ could do what Holland and Germany have done and put in proper cycle paths .. and that cyclists would then actually use them :-) But all down to $$$ I suppose.

That as may be and there are a lot of all types of commuters that think they are entitled to have right of way and others should pale into insignificance around them but the reality is that we all are legally entitled to be on the road and just need to be aware of others and have a bit of patience.

Cycle lanes are good for those that cycle at under 20kph but not for those that can and do go a lot faster.

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#830866 5-Jun-2013 11:24

dickytim: last week I was in the far right lane overtaking a car and a motor cycle overtook me between the barrier and my lane, really, it is little wonder they are referred to in Australia as Temporary Australians.

I don't try and hit motor cyclists, but it sure feels like a lot of them try to hit other motorists.

And they wonder why their ACC levy is so high on their rego, it sucks that some idiots ruin it for others, as I have seen plenty of considerate, careful riders on the roads that sit in traffic and only split lanes when the traffic is at a standstill, not at 80km/h

I don't understand people who undertake these movements. I wouldn't do that in a tank, let alone a bike where if it goes wrong I have next to no protection.

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#830899 5-Jun-2013 12:02

Mark: Be nice if NZ could do what Holland and Germany have done and put in proper cycle paths .. and that cyclists would then actually use them :-) But all down to $$$ I suppose.

Melbourne has these almost everywhere, but the problem is that cyclists pick and choose between being part of the road traffic, or part of cycle traffic on a whim, and often with no warning or even a head check on their part.

I see angry rants in the Melbourne Age regularly from cyclists defending this practise saying "We're road users too, we have an much right to use the road space as you and you have to watch out for us because we're entitled to join or leave your lane at any time"

While I don't have an issue with sharing the road, it's the arrogance on their part that they can just weave in and out of lanes as they see fit and expect big heavy cars moving at 50 or 60km/h to be able to predict their moves or to hit the anchors to avoid hitting them, just because they feel they can.

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jeffnz

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#830903 5-Jun-2013 12:12

ajobbins:
Mark: Be nice if NZ could do what Holland and Germany have done and put in proper cycle paths .. and that cyclists would then actually use them :-) But all down to $$$ I suppose.

Melbourne has these almost everywhere, but the problem is that cyclists pick and choose between being part of the road traffic, or part of cycle traffic on a whim, and often with no warning or even a head check on their part.

I see angry rants in the Melbourne Age regularly from cyclists defending this practise saying "We're road users too, we have an much right to use the road space as you and you have to watch out for us because we're entitled to join or leave your lane at any time"

While I don't have an issue with sharing the road, it's the arrogance on their part that they can just weave in and out of lanes as they see fit and expect big heavy cars moving at 50 or 60km/h to be able to predict their moves or to hit the anchors to avoid hitting them, just because they feel they can.

This is getting off topic but as I said you can't do 20-55kph on a cycle lane and the majority either use the cycle lane or the road. Legally you can use either so if people don't like the law then get the law changed.

I also get sick of hearing the " arrogance" label, it isn't any more so than those that presume the road is for their personal use and anyone that slows them down or challenges their realm is a fair target for verbal abuse or being forced off the road.

I've said it many times don't stereotype cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians & motorists as we aren't a culture or tribe and most use many forms of commuting. Its just the few in all types that give the majority a bad name and also the ones we tend to remember.

I think we can all give our version of incidences that have happened but see no reason to justify my reasoning.

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Mark

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#830940 5-Jun-2013 13:21

Shall we stir the discussion pot and add in that at least car drivers and motorcyclists pay rego and ACC to be on the roads ... do cyclists ? ;-) hehehehe

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#830943 5-Jun-2013 13:33

Mark: Shall we stir the discussion pot and add in that at least car drivers and motorcyclists pay rego and ACC to be on the roads ... do cyclists ? ;-) hehehehe

only if its relevant, which it isn't

fact still remains that, unless its a motorway, cyclists can use the road regardless of there being a cycle way.

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kendog

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#831791 6-Jun-2013 19:01

jeffnz:
Mark: Shall we stir the discussion pot and add in that at least car drivers and motorcyclists pay rego and ACC to be on the roads ... do cyclists ? ;-) hehehehe

only if its relevant, which it isn't fact still remains that, unless its a motorway, cyclists can use the road regardless of there being a cycle way.

So who is paying their ACC bill when they have an accident?

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#831800 6-Jun-2013 19:24

kendog:
jeffnz:
Mark: Shall we stir the discussion pot and add in that at least car drivers and motorcyclists pay rego and ACC to be on the roads ... do cyclists ? ;-) hehehehe

only if its relevant, which it isn't fact still remains that, unless its a motorway, cyclists can use the road regardless of there being a cycle way.

So who is paying their ACC bill when they have an accident?

the motorist that hits them

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jeffnz

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#831813 6-Jun-2013 19:40

kendog:
jeffnz:
Mark: Shall we stir the discussion pot and add in that at least car drivers and motorcyclists pay rego and ACC to be on the roads ... do cyclists ? ;-) hehehehe

only if its relevant, which it isn't fact still remains that, unless its a motorway, cyclists can use the road regardless of there being a cycle way.

So who is paying their ACC bill when they have an accident?

but if your post was indeed serious then this explanation may help ease the pain you obviously feel that cyclists aren't paying their share

"what about ACC? Well, cycling injuries are covered by either Earner Levies (paid for by everyone who works) or the Govt’s Non-Earner Account (paid for by general taxation). So if you are working or paying GST, you are already contributing to the treatment costs for you and your dependants. So why do motorists have to pay an additional levy? Because they cost a lot more – on-road cycling accidents cost ACC < $10 million/year compared with >$350 million/year for motorists."

the whole article is here but I still say it isn't relevant to anything

http://cyclingchristchurch.co.nz/benefits-of-cycling/mythbusting-cyclists-dont-pay/

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#831815 6-Jun-2013 19:45

I'm a scooter rider.

I drive like a mental patient! The looks you guys give me! The fingers, the beeping, the sad faces as I whizz past while you're stuck in traffic.

Of course it doesn't help that you car drivers often have no clue what you're doing, fail to indicate and are _always_ on your mobile phones as you muppet about everywhere.

If you all drove scooters, at least then you might have some reaction time, know how to take corners properly and not sit at the lights tweeting instead of driving when the lights go green!

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