No more lane splitting for the Western Cape?

[Derik]

I would like to know, they want to stop lane splitting because too many guys are getting hurt/killed although not their own fault! What about passengers getting killed in busses and taxis, are they going to stop them from operating?
If they get this law passed, its just a matter of time before they do it up here in Gauteng, and noways I'm going to sit in traffic in a hot/thunderstorm or the like!

As we know our goverment, they'll just past it no matter what, but ja that's one law I would ignore

[ChinaPete]

I suggest you read the email in the attached link-
http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/discussion-robin-carlisle-re-lane-splitting

Below is an extract from Robin Carlisle's response to the BMW Club Chairman:

“What I said at a media conference on Monday was – in point form:-

- my first concern is for  the safety of bikers, which I am sure you support.

-Secondly,  that bike ownership is growing at 5% pa - bike fatalities at 10% pa.

-This problem of ever growing biker fatalities is universal. They form the highest cohort of fatalities in Australia, and in some of the far eastern countries, biker deaths per 100000 of population exceeds our total deaths on the road.

-We note that a number of countries have banned lane splitting - Germany; USA (not California) Canada.

-So lets have a look at it - not introduce it - not legislate for it - lets discuss.

-In the main the feedback from the biker community has been mature, responsible and helpful.

What is emerging is the following:-

                -distracted drivers are a serious menace to bikers;

                -there is an element of totally irresponsible riding within biking

                -bikers need protection from rear-ending.

                -bikers are very vulnerable to unlawful vehicle driving (ie jumping red robots; stop streets, etc)

                -If we are to maintain lane splitting we should get the maximum biker buy in on a code of behaviour. (see the California suggestions below)

                -more advanced biker training is essential and maybe we could get one of the big distributors to help.

                -should we revert to a lights on policy?

                -Biker lanes? Biker entry into the buslanes?"

[Cracker]

There you go, try a lights on policy - simple and free.

[Bring It On]

IMHO...it should be made law for motorbike to have some form of "Permanent Orange/Amber" lighting emitting towards the front.

This has proven to make us far more visible.

[Dusty Rusty]

per facebook epos gekry:

 
Jurie De Kock
8:27am Mar 6
Roger Deers:
Good morning all

Lane splitting

Just to inform you all that we had a very successful meeting with the MEC concerning lane splitting and the comment was that it will never be implied. What pleases me more is that we got more out of the meeting than we expected. We had the opportunity to address other concerns and the MEC was very supportive in our mission and has committed to give his support. He fully understands from where we are coming and there is very promising changes in the future Will keep you all informed

Bruce
President MAWC

[The Rock]

"never be implied"

[RobC]

"never be implied"

Typo methinks, in any case that would be a national change to the current legislation as provinces do not have specific traffic laws of their own... imagine that confusion! 
But they do try to interpret it in their own way, as do Metro's and municipalities...  The enforcement of certain offenses while ignoring other more dangerous ones is a prime example of this interpretative logic.

[Bring It On]

per facebook epos gekry:

 
Jurie De Kock
8:27am Mar 6
Roger Deers:
Good morning all

Lane splitting

Just to inform you all that we had a very successful meeting with the MEC concerning lane splitting and the comment was that it will never be implied. What pleases me more is that we got more out of the meeting than we expected. We had the opportunity to address other concerns and the MEC was very supportive in our mission and has committed to give his support. He fully understands from where we are coming and there is very promising changes in the future Will keep you all informed

Bruce
President MAWC

Very nice to see such a possitive outcome from that meeting.

[buzzlightyear]

I'm beginning to wonder whether the announcement by the MEC that he is considering banning lane splitting has anything to do with the amount of bike accidents lately. I know most car drivers think it is illegal, do you think it could have caused an attitude shift with some people causing them to think less about bikes?  I certainly haven't experienced any animosity from car drivers since the announcement, but otherwise I don't know why so many accidents so suddenly?

[Mr. Python]

Probably related to the increase in the petrol price.
More people on bikes that aren't normally on them.

[whitedelight]

I was talking to the missus about the increase of accidents involving bikes. She says she can believe it,as she sees daily bikers that do not look comfortable on them,she says they look nervy.
Some folk out there have gone out and bought a bike with the idea of commuting and saving petrol. If you are new to biking the last place you should be is lane splitting in peak hour traffic.
Sorry but commuting on a bike requires a whole different skills set and mindset. A lot of this will only come with time,reading every situation as a potential threat and formulating escape routes every millisecond.
I stopped commuting end of last year due to my new job ,and then had to lane split a short while back. Took a while to get back into it,to switch the brain back into high alert and what if mode.

[Pistonpete]

A road riding course by 'accredited' trainers is a consideration as well...

[Bring It On]

I was talking to the missus about the increase of accidents involving bikes. She says she can believe it,as she sees daily bikers that do not look comfortable on them,she says they look nervy.
Some folk out there have gone out and bought a bike with the idea of commuting and saving petrol. If you are new to biking the last place you should be is lane splitting in peak hour traffic.
Sorry but commuting on a bike requires a whole different skills set and mindset. A lot of this will only come with time,reading every situation as a potential threat and formulating escape routes every millisecond.
I stopped commuting end of last year due to my new job ,and then had to lane split a short while back. Took a while to get back into it,to switch the brain back into high alert and what if mode.

That could not have been said any better!! Very well put.

[Strider_GS]

Waste of resources and breathable air.

Lane splitting is illegal in Germany. I rode bikes over there from the mid Eighties until 2000. No one gave a s4!+, everyone just did it. It's impossible to enforce a lane splitting ban. It was more of a legal / insurance issue if you had an accident while lane splitting they made it partially your fault.

If Robin Carlisle wants to save lifes why does he not enforce cagers wearing their seat belts and yes also in the rear seat and parents buckling up their kids.

Agree but rather get the cagers of their freakin cellphones. Cause that is why most people don't see the bikers. They are texting and making calls and generally just F%cking around and not driving

[Mr. Python]

It would be interesting to see what sector of the biking world is most affected by bike related death.
I would imagine super bikes and scooters.
They seem the most cavalier.

[Buddy]

The most cavalier I suspect are the BMW/KTM adventure bike fraternity, from observation on the N1 and N2.

[Jannie46]

I always find it a bit confusing and upsetting when statistics are not detailed and to the point. For example

i.) how many deaths due to lane splitting, highway related and suburban road related?
ii.) type of bike involved?
iii.) age of the biker?
iv.) deaths due to stop street skipping by bikes?
v.) deaths due to cars skipping stop streets and robots, ETC., ETC, ETC.?

Once the statistics are specific and to the point, can these problems accurately be addressed.

My 2c.

[2-Stroke]

It looks like Nevada might legalise lanesplitting:
http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2013/04/bill-in-nevada-to-propose-lanesplitting/

[monkeyboy]

The only time I was legally in a lane, rather than between lanes this morning, was the only moment that someone almost took me out.

[Mr. Python]

At the moment, in SA, you you would always be legally in a lane.
Unless you mean you were using the emergency lane