Biker visibility

[SauRoNZA]

Lane splitting is BS and it should be banned. Bikers love having their cake AND eating it. The problem is that bikers demand to be treated like they are driving a car, but feel they do not have to behave like they are driving a car.

Drive behind me or in front of me so I can see you, quite simple really. And please, forget about the "I am trying to avoid getting crushed between 2 vehicles, that is why I lane split" BS excuse.

In peak traffic, we all move at 10km's per hour. But then the biker loves to claim his right to lane split and weave through traffic and don't dare to impede him accidentally...then you are a prick for "caging him in". Then mirrors get punched and cars get scratched while the coward speeds away.

Let the breathless, indignant and self righteous flaming begin......

The law states a bike can pass a car in the same lane but a car is not allowed to do the same.

As for being crushed between cars that's a reality. The bigger problem is that bikes are less visible driving like cars because they are so narrow.

But bikes shouldn't be hogging lanes and should move over for faster traffic like everyone else.

Besides what's the problem? The more bikes there are on the road the less traffic there is for the people in cars. It's a win win for everyone.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I have no problem with it, but when i then hit a biker because he/she was lane splitting at high speeds, I hope their funeral plan also covers the panel beating on my car.

If you lane split at high speeds you are in effect causing the normal flow of traffic to be disrupted as when I put on my indicator to change lanes and I then see a safe space to do it in it should not need to include an extra calculation for bikers lane splitting at 100-120km/h. Other than this I have no problem with them doing it, more bikes = less traffic.

Agreed.

Speeding is a whole other matter not just related to bikers but obviously cars can't do it when stuck in traffic.

Also if you indicate your intentions properly and checked your blind spot accordingly then there really shouldn't be a problem and if done correctly on your part then yes the biker is to blame.

Sadly it's very rarely like that.

I lane split at a maximum 45km/h between 1st/2nd gear traffic which is about what the average bicycle can manage I suspect, and leaves me in a perfectly respectable and fair position to be seen by cars.

Yet on a daily basis I have cars doing snap lane changes with no indication mere millimeters from me.

It's a different story if I was hitting 120 between still standing cars like some biker idiots, but that's simply not the case.

The overriding factor when both on the bike and in my car is simply that of bad driving.

Every other week I almost get taken out by a woman in our neighborhood who without hit fail completely ignores the stop street at a blind corner leaving her house. Doesn't matter which vehicle I'm in, it's pure luck of the draw and absolutely 100% her disregard for driving properly that is at fault.

 

[SauRoNZA]

And how would NOT lane splitting affect YOUR daily commute? Oh wait, I know: it would mean that you would also have to sit in traffic and we would not have to be extra vigilant so as not to cage you in accidentally, that is if we want to get to work with all our vehicles appendages intact.

Lane splitting is not about safety, it is about bikers wanting to get to the front of the qeue, whilst demanding that everybody be on the lookout for them, since they are so vulnerable.

So, don't lane split and then complain when you get knocked off your bike by accident. Don't lane split and then go all Mad Max when you are accidentally caged in or somebody accidentally drifts over into your lane.

Also don't think that just 'cos you may be the consumate lane spliiting pro, that ALL bikers are. Au contraire...most lane splitting k@k are caused by the fact that every second Tom, Dick & Harry are buying poegies and waving through traffic.

LOL.

Since being back on a bike this year I've been in three "accidents" of which none were whole lane splitting.

1. Guy drove into the back of me at a robot because I was parked squarely in the middle of the lane like a car. Had I been lane splitting...

2. Pedestrian stepped off the sidewalk to cross the road without looking right where the traffic was coming from. I was doing 50km/h and fortunately slowing down for the robot otherwise it would have been bad. Carried him on my lap for a metre or two.

3. Turned into my office complex where a woman promptly decided she was reversing out without even looking and rubber up against me at which point 10000rpm almost woke her up enough to notice me before pushing me some more.

Granted in the last one lane splitting wasn't an option but it's a good illustration of how invisible we appear to people. Then again this woman would probably have reversed into by car as well if presented the opportunity.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Traffic is fukked up regardless of bikes. The minute ratio of cars vs. bikes on our roads surely has no significant impact on relieving congestion. I am vigilant when driving in general, but have to be extra vigilant to spot the bike weaving through traffic as it suddenly appears out of my blind spot.

Every time the banning of lane splitting conversation comes up the biker fraternities talk about a petition day where they would drive like cars on the highways in single file to prove a point.

As a car driver you probably only see a handful of bikes on the roads on any given day because they spend that much less time on them. If all those guys were stuck in traffic you would most certainly notice the difference.

I see at least 20 bikes on the road every day on my 35km trip to work and I take the back roads because there's too much bike traffic on the N1.

Ever wonder why it's so much worse during the rain? I'm willing to bet it's all the fair weather bikers taking their cars, not just the bad weather in an of itself.

 

[maumau]

Without doubt bad driving habits are to blame for most accidents but when you're on the highway and the next lane's moving faster than yours most drivers check for a gap in the cars, twist the steering wheel and go. If a biker's lane splitting there could be trouble.

Right or wrong in this situation how many people check for anything other than a car and how many people indicate?

 

[Devill]

Ok this morning, in misty weather, a biker lane split while probably doing 100km/h in a 70km/h zone (Durban Rd - Durbanville). For fools like this I do not have any sympathy if/when they take a dive.

To all the bikers that actually drive like sane people, thank you for lightening the traffic

 

[Necuno]

This morning, a car almost fscked me and a biker because of his stupidity. If I was not hooting the biker coming from behind me probably would not have seen the retard:

The lights turned red and green for me. Two last cars was clearing the intersection (they where turning and not driving over). Then out of no where another car tried to make it through the intersection driving right into my path and almost hitting the biker with his front. I started hooting as soon as I noticed this fool trying to make a run for it through the intersection although its already red for him and green for me.

Lucky no one got hurt but it was close especially for the biker. The driver in the car just sat there like a mental patient being totally oblivious as to wtf is going on, its just about pushing the envelope because god forbid he had to wait at a red. Ridiculous.

When a red traffic light changed to green and I was second in line to turn right we moved into the intersection waiting for oncoming traffic to pass. When there was a break and the next approaching vehicle could be seen in the distance the car in front of me turned. A nano second later a motorcyclist came flying past, shaking his fist. How he missed t-boning the turning car I don’t know. Without realising it he had been completely invisible against the backdrop of cars.

His bike was red, filthy dirty with one small dim yellowing headlight, it wasn’t a delivery bike. The biker looked about 28/30 and was in black leathers with a black helmet. I can’t guess the bike power but it was smaller than a big bike and bigger than a little mosquito thing. The rider must have been going flat out in the morning traffic.

Please guys visibility is critical and to those young guys with their skinny little arms showing, get some protective clothing or ask your mom to get it for you.

This isn’t aimed at experienced riders or those whose bikes cost more than a small car. They have rows of bright lights and the riders usually wear safety gear over their leathers so they can be seen.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Without doubt bad driving habits are to blame for most accidents but when you're on the highway and the next lane's moving faster than yours most drivers check for a gap in the cars, twist the steering wheel and go. If a biker's lane splitting there could be trouble.

Right or wrong in this situation how many people check for anything other than a car and how many people indicate?

It's wrong.

And that's the whole point. If you swing out without indicating and hit a biker YOU will be paying for it, especially so if there were witnesses.

It's not about what how many people actually do or think, it's about what actually happens after the fact.

You should be checking your blind spot BEFORE switching on your indicator, never mind actually starting to turn.

People make accidents like this even with other cars, bikes just hurt more.

Ok this morning, in misty weather, a biker lane split while probably doing 100km/h in a 70km/h zone (Durban Rd - Durbanville). For fools like this I do not have any sympathy if/when they take a dive.

To all the bikers that actually drive like sane people, thank you for lightening the traffic

See now that's a perfectly reasonable response.

As a motorcyclist myself I also shake my head at those okes doing crazy speeds, especially in bad weather. Didn't even know Durban road was a 70km/zone now, and I'm not claiming to be innocent and probably do 80km/h there whether in bike or car but klapping a 100 in bad weather is a bit crazy.

Superbike by any chance?

 

[SauRoNZA]

This morning, a car almost fscked me and a biker because of his stupidity. If I was not hooting the biker coming from behind me probably would not have seen the retard:

The lights turned red and green for me. Two last cars was clearing the intersection (they where turning and not driving over). Then out of no where another car tried to make it through the intersection driving right into my path and almost hitting the biker with his front. I started hooting as soon as I noticed this fool trying to make a run for it through the intersection although its already red for him and green for me.

Lucky no one got hurt but it was close especially for the biker. The driver in the car just sat there like a mental patient being totally oblivious as to wtf is going on, its just about pushing the envelope because god forbid he had to wait at a red. Ridiculous.

Not to mention that if people just stopped at robots like they were meant to we probably wouldn't have as much of a traffic problem and wouldn't need bikes in the first place.

I shake my head every day in the CBD when people jump the light just to be stuck in the intersection meaning nobody goes anywhere. If the first idiot of the day didn't jump the light then there wouldn't have been anything to get stuck in.

 

[Devill]

See now that's a perfectly reasonable response.

As a motorcyclist myself I also shake my head at those okes doing crazy speeds, especially in bad weather. Didn't even know Durban road was a 70km/zone now, and I'm not claiming to be innocent and probably do 80km/h there whether in bike or car but klapping a 100 in bad weather is a bit crazy.

Superbike by any chance?

No, a BMW cruiser. I am guessing at the speed but I was doing 70km/h - 80km/h and he made me look like I was searching for parking.

Yes Durban rd is 70km/h, I wish it could have been an 80km/h zone but I think because it passes through a residential property zone it is not feasible.

 

[Kloofvreter]

No, a BMW cruiser. I am guessing at the speed but I was doing 70km/h - 80km/h and he made me look like I was searching for parking.

Yes Durban rd is 70km/h, I wish it could have been an 80km/h zone but I think because it passes through a residential property zone it is not feasible.

I drive here every day. Might as well have been an 80km/h zone. What's strange, is that most parts are 60, and a certain stretch (which passes Fairmont High School), is 70.

 

[SauRoNZA]

No, a BMW cruiser. I am guessing at the speed but I was doing 70km/h - 80km/h and he made me look like I was searching for parking.

Yes Durban rd is 70km/h, I wish it could have been an 80km/h zone but I think because it passes through a residential property zone it is not feasible.

Well if you were doing 70-80 then I don't think 90-100 for a bike is too much of a drama.

I thought you meant you were in standstill traffic.

General rule is to do 15-25 km/h faster than cars.

Personally I don't split faster than 60-70.

 

[SauRoNZA]

More shocking this morning is that the Shire (Tygervalley road) was covered in mist and yet people still don't have lights on.

 

[Archer]

More shocking this morning is that the Shire (Tygervalley road) was covered in mist and yet people still don't have lights on.

Why should they turn their lights on? Its super easy to see grey/white cars in the grey/white mist!

 

[Tux]

No, a BMW cruiser.

there's yer problem

 

[SauRoNZA]

Why should they turn their lights on? Its super easy to see grey/white cars in the grey/white mist!

I hope that's sarcasm.

It's the red and blue ones that I find are actually more invisible.

 

[Devill]

Well if you were doing 70-80 then I don't think 90-100 for a bike is too much of a drama.

I thought you meant you were in standstill traffic.

General rule is to do 15-25 km/h faster than cars.

Personally I don't split faster than 60-70.

IIRC Lane splitting is only legal in slow moving traffic. Imo 70-80 km/h is not slow moving.

And again, this person can drive however fast he/she wants, but I will not feel sorry for him/her if they fall and die.

 

[Archer]

Why should they turn their lights on? Its super easy to see grey/white cars in the grey/white mist!

I hope that's sarcasm.

It's the red and blue ones that I find are actually more invisible.

If visibility of cars with lights on is down to 50m, I can usually see the white/grey cars at least 20m away. Thats roughly 1 second at 60km/h. More than enough time for panic to settle in just before an accident. What more could you possibly ask of these fine citizens, other than to engage more than 5 brain cells when getting into a vehicle?

 

[SauRoNZA]

IIRC Lane splitting is only legal in slow moving traffic. Imo 70-80 km/h is not slow moving.

And again, this person can drive however fast he/she wants, but I will not feel sorry for him/her if they fall and die.

Actually the law is very loose and says nothing about speed.

But like I said I don't do this myself at those speeds but it's common practice for bikes to go slightly faster than cars when lane splitting to get in and out of blind spots faster.

Personally if I'm at the legal speed limit there's no need to lane split.

When hitting the highway and 100km/h speeds I change lanes properly line I would in a car but I do often lane split when cars specifically see me and make a way for me to pass them in the same lane which happens quite a lot actually.

 

[SauRoNZA]

If visibility of cars with lights on is down to 50m, I can usually see the white/grey cars at least 20m away. Thats roughly 1 second at 60km/h. More than enough time for panic to settle in just before an accident. What more could you possibly ask of these fine citizens, other than to engage more than 5 brain cells when getting into a vehicle?

Yup.

And I really do hope these people aren't stupid enough to believe they are saving petrol by leaving their lights off.