No more lane splitting for the Western Cape?

[rogerg]

Here's a link to Lane Splitting in California.

It is illegal to 'block' a motorcycle !!

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitting.html

[RobC]

http://www.mawc.co.za/contact-us/

dis nie die MAC's nie?

[Husamarine]

As the MEC would like comments for discussion, best would be to compile a list of considerations:

like -

1) Motorcycles, whether they be air cooled or water cooled need flowing air in order to stay cool. Would be difficult with bikes having to stay in their lanes during peak hour traffic.
2) Constantly rising fuel costs are forcing more and more commuters into using bikes for their transport. More bikes, more recorded bike accidents. Logic.
3) Increased traffic congestion. One would dearly like to open up the flow of traffic. Increased traffic congestions lead to more accidents.
4) Safety of bikers trapped between two vehicles on highways as opposed to being able to lane split.
5) Making biking attractive to commuters and as a result relieving traffic congestion. By forcing bikers to stay in their lanes like motorvehicles takes away one of the biggest advantages to biking.

Add to the list.

Surely one can kill the debate by overwhelming arguments against the proposed law?

[Rags]

Also sent an email.

I wonder what the accident statistics are on rear ended accidents. If those now translate to motorcycles it could become a serious problem, no?

[Scooterbike]

I commute on the N2 into CT, half the time I commute with my bike and have made some observations.
Traffic specially on the N2 is just getting worse by the day, SW to CT (50km) takes 2h by car in peak. I am in favour of lane splitting, but believe some rules regarding this should be laid down. Like at what speed is it acceptable to lane split and which lane. Yes lane split but do it in a safe and considerate manner. You get the odd biker that lane split at 140km/h while the cars are doing 20km/h! and then gets angry cause a car did not see him coming at that speed.
I tend to lane split ‘next to’ the bus lane as I find this easier and the taxis are sort off polite and is more aware than most car drivers… but then I got pulled by a cop because I was on the bus lane side of the white/yellow line!
I also agree that deaths may have gone up, because there are now much more bikers on the road. How many of these are due to lane splitting…??
Billions in China cannot be wrong!!

[Goose]

Would it not be better to use your actual name - rather than forum nickname...? Surely you're not going to be taken seriously...?  

I see Billy De Beer is Treasurer of the MAWC ........... he's a decent chap and could maybe shed some light on what they meant...?

I've also sent the MEC an email - with some positive suggestions as well.
Let's rather see if we can get the dude on our side so that other issues can be discussed - i.e. parking, lanes, security..... etc.  He's going to want to do something positive to shy away from something that is obviously backfiring...!

[Grrrr....]

Would it not be better to use your actual name - rather than forum nickname...? Surely you're not going to be taken seriously...?  

 

You don't think I sent that email signed "Grrrr...." do you? 

[Grrrr....]

Maybe I should send him one like this:

Listen here.

This is a k@k idea. Stop it or I will hunt you down and kick your ass.

Now, swear to me!
Batman

[Goose]

Would it not be better to use your actual name - rather than forum nickname...? Surely you're not going to be taken seriously...?  

 

You don't think I sent that email signed "Grrrr...." do you? 

..........  well on this forum - ANYTHING's possible     .......... hehe

[Dogmatix]

Would it not be better to use your actual name - rather than forum nickname...? Surely you're not going to be taken seriously...?  

 

You don't think I sent that email signed "Grrrr...." do you? 

Ha ha, I can just see his face when he reads 1000 mails all signed, Dogmatix, Goose, Plankie, JustKnatters.........


..........  well on this forum - ANYTHING's possible     .......... hehe

[vigilant]

A non-biker recently asked me why no-one has petitioned the government to make the right hand "emergency lane" on freeways a bikers only lane during peek traffic hours only, similar to the bus lanes.

Rather implement ideas like this, instead of banning lane splitting.

That's almost a great post!!! Except ...

Why don't people who want to ride bikes to work learn to ride them properly BEFORE tackling morning traffic?

This is a real question.

At the moment, we have cagers climbing on bikes, riding and thinking like cagers, and writing themselves off.

Why are bikers riding into stationary vehicles at 80km/h?

Several this year already. Answer that BEFORE anything else. And please also explain how you will prevent broken down cars entering this biker suicide lane?

Lane splitting is safer than suicide lane. Even the beemer i picked up the other day crashed his bike because he was coming out the suicide lane, travelling too fast for his own damn good.

[Grrrr....]

Well, I am almost off. And I am going to lanesplit 100% of the way.

Except that little dirt track opposite KTM CPT, there I will sommer "split" from the road.

[Rags]

Also got a response:

Thanks,
I have just been studying the California guidelines for Lane splitting which, if applied here, would already constitute a major leap forward.
I am getting some really good stuff from the motorcyclists – and thanks for yours.
 
Regards
R


At least he seems to have an open mind about this. 

[Pistonpete]

Also got a response:

Thanks,
I have just been studying the California guidelines for Lane splitting which, if applied here, would already constitute a major leap forward.
I am getting some really good stuff from the motorcyclists – and thanks for yours.
 
Regards
R


At least he seems to have an open mind about this. 

I sent it to him a few times...i'm sure others did to! 
Makes sense...

[The Rock]

Also got a response:

Thanks,
I have just been studying the California guidelines for Lane splitting which, if applied here, would already constitute a major leap forward.
I am getting some really good stuff from the motorcyclists – and thanks for yours.
 
Regards
R


At least he seems to have an open mind about this. 

thats cool! at least he's listening to what we have to say!

[Alan]

Jaa, he does seem to be TRYING.. So let's help where we can. 

[Goose]

an extract of my long email to him:

It seems in SA you can still go write a Learners licence and without ANY training – buy and get onto 2-wheels..... THIS IS SHOCKING indeed and you might as well hand new riders a loaded firearm!
 
.............. one of the projects we’re hoping to get off the ground – is the CBT-type certification here in SA. School-based training would also be an option so that youngsters – our future motorcycle and car users – receive proactive training before being allowed on our roads. We feel that with correct training and road-sense the future road users might have better understanding and respect for other road users and hopefully help decrease accidents and fatalities.


his response:

Hi Peter,
I am discovering that the motor bike community is indeed remarkable.
I have been getting the most useful feedback from various people, including yours.
Love the idea of school-based training.


 

[J3THRO]

Geagte Meneer Carlisle:

JOU SUSSIE SE VISSIE!

[Captain Zef]

How are they gonna catch you?

A traffic cop flashed his lights at me while lane splitting down Kragga kamma rd. the problem is he could not chase me he was stuck in traffic

[funduro]

Statistics of how the motorcylist died i.e lane splitting, speeding and what not is how he should be considering this ban.He does not  give these and I am sure there are none. Without these specifics he is thumb sucking.