Inconsiderate N1 Bikers

Bunta said:
^ This.

I've always loved bikes, never had the nerve to buy one as I was traumatised by a close family friend injuries from a bike accident. Well that and the fact that I see how terribly us Capetonians drive>> absolutely no courtesy nor awareness. Everybody is in their own world, Indicators are ornaments and rear view mirrors are just aerodynamic hazards.
Anyways, I think i'm old, ugly and mature enough to ride now, so I bought myself a bike in October last year.

The craziest thing happened! Since I started riding, I noticed how courteous driver are? Even Taxis, I've been given way by taxis all the time. Car's on the N1 and N2 tend to shift over as I approach. Maybe i'm just lucky.
But at the same time, i never exceed 40km/h whilst lane splitting. I'm so bad, I often have to give way for other bikes, and not just big bikes, several times a week I give way to scooters.
Anyways, Perhaps i'm over cautious, but I do love my precious body and plan to never fall off the bike.
I have had ONE close call, where a guy in a golf half changed lanes THEN indicated, but as he was doing so, he saw me and swerved back into his lane. He apologised, and I waved in thanks... Nothing wrong with some common decency I guess.

Just a little word to "cagers", from an absolute car nut for over 35 years, i've been a car guy, Raced at killarney since the '90's, and owned some epic cars in my time... Spare a little thought/ sight for an oncoming bike, please? Remember, for every bike on the road, there's one less car, and one less car means less of a traffic jam for YOU. :D



Actually no, for every biker on the road, there is one less car. That's reducing our carbon footprint AND decreasing the traffic jams YOU sit in every day. ;)

I know im late, still reading the rest of this thread.
Click to expand...
Fantastic post.

I still have all my gear - I'll get a bike again at some point
 
Bunta said:
^ This.

I've always loved bikes, never had the nerve to buy one as I was traumatised by a close family friend injuries from a bike accident. Well that and the fact that I see how terribly us Capetonians drive>> absolutely no courtesy nor awareness. Everybody is in their own world, Indicators are ornaments and rear view mirrors are just aerodynamic hazards.
Anyways, I think i'm old, ugly and mature enough to ride now, so I bought myself a bike in October last year.

The craziest thing happened! Since I started riding, I noticed how courteous driver are? Even Taxis, I've been given way by taxis all the time. Car's on the N1 and N2 tend to shift over as I approach. Maybe i'm just lucky.
But at the same time, i never exceed 40km/h whilst lane splitting. I'm so bad, I often have to give way for other bikes, and not just big bikes, several times a week I give way to scooters.
Anyways, Perhaps i'm over cautious, but I do love my precious body and plan to never fall off the bike.
I have had ONE close call, where a guy in a golf half changed lanes THEN indicated, but as he was doing so, he saw me and swerved back into his lane. He apologised, and I waved in thanks... Nothing wrong with some common decency I guess.

Just a little word to "cagers", from an absolute car nut for over 35 years, i've been a car guy, Raced at killarney since the '90's, and owned some epic cars in my time... Spare a little thought/ sight for an oncoming bike, please? Remember, for every bike on the road, there's one less car, and one less car means less of a traffic jam for YOU. :D



Actually no, for every biker on the road, there is one less car. That's reducing our carbon footprint AND decreasing the traffic jams YOU sit in every day. ;)

I know im late, still reading the rest of this thread.
Click to expand...

I've often found that Taxis are more courteous to me than most other drivers. Pulling up next to a taxi driver a a red light often results in a 30 second conflab about how sweet my ride is. Taxi drivers may drive like complete fa rkers - but most of them SURE have good taste. #TriumphFanBoi
 
skeptic_SA said:
I've often found that Taxis are more courteous to me than most other drivers. Pulling up next to a taxi driver a a red light often results in a 30 second conflab about how sweet my ride is. Taxi drivers may drive like complete fa rkers - but most of them SURE have good taste. #TriumphFanBoi
Click to expand...
They drive their taxis like bikes

/runs
 
Well well, I see we have all come a long way in this debate, appreciating each others view point! :)

This thread started by OP, was about an unacceptable reaction by a biker. It was really not about lane splitting per se but rather about those bikers out there that lane split incorrectly, not within the rules/guidelines.

It is about the high levels of inconsiderate driving on our roads, Its about the reaction after what is perceived as inconsiderate driving .

(1) Can all agree that taking off someone's mirror is NOT acceptable behaviour no matter what the aggravation is. Agree/do not agree?
(2) It is equally unacceptable for drivers to retaliate by deliberately trying to prevent bikers from lane splitting. Agree/not agree?
(3) It IS about tolerance and understanding everyone makes mistakes at times. Agree/not agree?
(4) Then it is about what the law says. We are split here. There are those that believe it is legal because it is not explicitly stated in the rules that lane splitting is illegal and vice versa. I have tried to show the divergent views on the matter in other parts of the World as well within our own country. I hope more understand that there was a time in SA when lane splitting was illegal. I have provided the AA link where the AA starts the article by stating that lane splitting is technically legal and finishes off with the idea that lane splitting is legal provided bikers obey some rules.
I have tried to show what the arrivealive campaign says about the matter I have suggested that all those that use the highway regularly check to see if they (motorcyclists/bikers) are following the guidelines or not and motorists are also behaving accordingly.

( Thank goodness I am no longer faced with the daily stress of having to use the highway between PTA and JHB).

We have some debate about what the term "behave like a car" means. It does not mean staying in the middle of the lane, it actually means staying within your lane .

As a 4 x 4 driver with a canopy on the back I DO NOT want bikers to drive right behind me in the middle, they are completely invisible . It is safer for bikers in my opinion to stick to the RHS of a lane because they are less likely to spend too much time in my vehicle's blind spot.

But that does NOT translate into me accepting lane splitting that does not comply with the guidelines.

I have tried to point out that public opinion is building up against bikers that could result in legislation making lane splitting illegal.

Bikers do you want to see that happen? If not then those that lane split outside of the guidelines, you know what to do.
Motorists if you are one of those that actively try and prevent bikers from lane splitting, take note of what has happened in California where specific measures have been put in place to be able to take legal action against you. Do you want to see that happen in SA ?
 
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AfricanTech said:
Fantastic post.

I still have all my gear - I'll get a bike again at some point
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Cool!

skeptic_SA said:
I've often found that Taxis are more courteous to me than most other drivers. Pulling up next to a taxi driver a a red light often results in a 30 second conflab about how sweet my ride is. Taxi drivers may drive like complete fa rkers - but most of them SURE have good taste.
Click to expand...

All the time man.

skeptic_SA said:
#TriumphFanBoi
Click to expand...

Love me some triumph! Alas, I ride a harley :D
 
daniellgr said:
I have tried to point out that public opinion is building up against bikers that could result in legislation making lane splitting illegal.

Bikers do you want to see that happen? If not then those that lane split outside of the guidelines, you know what to do.
Motorists if you are one of those that actively try and prevent bikers from lane splitting, take note of what has happened in California where specific measure have been put in place to be able to take legal action against you. Do you want to see that happen in SA ?
Click to expand...

The day someone wants to ban lane splitting watch all the motorcyclists drive like cars and everyone will cry in traffic. The next day nobody will want to ban it anymore.

But as with most things on the road, the bad things motorcyclists do are ALREADY ILLEGAL. So please tell me, if those laws are not enforced, what pray tell will adding another law into mix help? Other than increase traffic, (edit) and making it more unsafe more motorcyclists?
 
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daniellgr said:
I have tried to point out that public opinion is building up against bikers that could result in legislation making lane splitting illegal.
Bikers do you want to see that happen?
Click to expand...

Well if that happens, i'll be doing one of two things...
1) making my bike intimidatingly loud. so cars will want to move out the way for me to pass. LOL!
2) Selling my bike and buying an obnoxious diesel double cab and monster truck it out HAHA!
 
I also feel Taxi's are more awaere of what is going on around them and thus give way to bikers, and appologize quicker than cagers.

BMWs, Audis, Mercs, Big luxury SUVs and "sports" versions of cars are the worst. not just to bikers. but to other cars in general. no idicators, no following distance, taking gaps that are not there, pushing in because they drive in the emergency lane....

it used to be I had a thing against Hilux bakies because of the way they drive, but in the last year or so I see less hiluxes and more Rangers, and for some reason, the Ranger drivers do not agrivate me as much as Hilux drivers did. if this is because my bike became louder, or because the rumour that double cab drivers were terrible spread and the community wanted to break the steroe type is an interesting debate.

oh, and skeptic, the only truimph worth riding is the rocket 3. all the others are just wanabe KTM/BMW's
:D
#cruiserforlife
/runs
 
Archer said:
The day someone wants to ban lane splitting watch all the bikers drive like cars and everyone will cry in traffic. The next day nobody will want to ban it anymore.

But as with most things on the road, the bad things bikes do are ALREADY ILLEGAL. So please tell me, if those laws are not enforced, what pray tell will adding another law into mix help? Other than increase traffic
Click to expand...

Quite correct one of the problems we have in this country is law enforcement. At the moment road law enforcement appears to only happen over Easter and the Xmas season. I do not count the endless series of speed traps as contributing to law enforcement. It is a cop-out by the authorities and a money making racket.

Adding new laws in such an environment is an exercise in futility. So those down in the Cape watch out for the attempts down there to make lane splitting illegal.
 
daniellgr said:
Adding new laws in such an environment is an exercise in futility. So those down in the Cape watch out for the attempts down there to make lane splitting illegal.
Click to expand...

Lol, I remember why I stopped replying to you now. Your posts are quite incoherent
 
Archer said:
Lol, I remember why I stopped replying to you now. Your posts are quite incoherent
Click to expand...

That is your right. But consider this, are you interpreting what I am saying correctly?
I have made you think about the topic. Now make up your own mind, what are you going to do if Western Cape take the idea of banning lane splitting further than just talk?
 
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daniellgr said:
That is your right. But consider this, are you interpreting what I am saying correctly?
I have made you think about the topic Now make up your own mind, what are you going to do if Western Cape take the idea of banning lane splitting further than just talk?
Click to expand...

If this happens there will be no upside to commuting with a bike anymore... also, if you ride bike you will understand that it is almost impossible (and very dangerous) to ride in-lane with a motorcycle. Also your bike will probably overheat half way into CPT
 
Baxteen said:
I also feel Taxi's are more awaere of what is going on around them and thus give way to bikers, and appologize quicker than cagers.

BMWs, Audis, Mercs, Big luxury SUVs and "sports" versions of cars are the worst. not just to bikers. but to other cars in general. no idicators, no following distance, taking gaps that are not there, pushing in because they drive in the emergency lane....

it used to be I had a thing against Hilux bakies because of the way they drive, but in the last year or so I see less hiluxes and more Rangers, and for some reason, the Ranger drivers do not agrivate me as much as Hilux drivers did. if this is because my bike became louder, or because the rumour that double cab drivers were terrible spread and the community wanted to break the steroe type is an interesting debate.

oh, and skeptic, the only truimph worth riding is the rocket 3. all the others are just wanabe KTM/BMW's
:D
#cruiserforlife
/runs
Click to expand...

:mad:
KTM Wannabe? Hmmm... We must talk Sir. The wail of Triumphs Triple motor... Aw man. I'm not religious. But if I were. There's two things I would say thanks for every night:

1. For my SO's awe inspiring form and her incorruptible personality.
2. For brilliant engineers at Triumph that gave us that amazing 3 cylinder motor.
 
Archer said:
And bad stepper motors :p
Click to expand...

The stepper is the only Achilles heel on that awesome machine. That said... I've never had any drama with mine. I remove my tank once every 6 months and clean out under the "unreachable areas". Special attention to lubrication of the stepper motor.

As with most things in life... A little lube goes a LOOOOOOOOONG way :whistle:
 
skeptic_SA said:
The stepper is the only Achilles heel on that awesome machine. That said... I've never had any drama with mine. I remove my tank once every 6 months and clean out under the "unreachable areas". Special attention to lubrication of the stepper motor.

As with most things in life... A little lube goes a LOOOOOOOOONG way :whistle:
Click to expand...

Perhaps we should apply some to the ends of our handlebars and slide between the cars
 
yeah.

still think cruisers are better. but I would kill myself on the Rocket.
or on a 1190 KTM
or on a GS1200
or on a tiger
I think I will rather stick to LOUD and slow, and comfrtable.
 
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