opinion wanted

[metalfossil]

Just wondering is there any Commodore owners out there that also drive motor bikes?

If yes, do any of you approve of driving down the middle of a two lane highway (I mean two lanes in both directions) weaving in and out of traffic?

This bozo on Melbourne's Western Ring Rd scared me to death tonight when he flew past me driving along in between the two lanes of traffic that was probably travelling at 30-40kph

[JBDrifter]

As long as they're moving slow enough to avoid anyone that decides to pull out in front of them then I reckon it's OK. If they're flying down the middle of two slow moving lanes then they're asking for trouble in my opinion.

[STEALTHY™]

I don't care what they do as long as they don't come near my car.

A also make it a point so they know that i know they are there, which means its one less car on the road they have to worry about cleaning them up.


Having said that, if they cut lanes at traffic lights and touch my car, and ride off, they better hope i don't catch them cause i'll have no hesitation to drop them.

[Troy711]

i agree that there should be 'hoon laws' for idiots on motorbikes. nothing worse then seeing some wanker take off at the lights on one wheel. its the same as someone in a car drif7ing around a corner

[hingo1983]

I don't mind what they do as long as they stay out of my way. Lets face it, if a motobike can ride between cars, then let them.

[vlv8vic]

very dangerous and illegal. they shouldn't do it. it shouldn't be up to drivers to "expect" them to do the wrong thing and have to look out for them in places they shouldn't be.
i see a lot of cyclists doing the wrong thing lately too. first to sook when they get knocked over too...

[bradcad]

You know some bike riders are respectful, and take due care. Interestingly where Australia is banning lane splitting, europe is encouraging it. Maybe its not so dangerous afterall....

[Low_VX_Taxi]

You know some bike riders are respectful, and take due care. Interestingly where Australia is banning lane splitting, europe is encouraging it. Maybe its not so dangerous afterall....

Have you driven often in europe? France is funny... I watched a film (taken by my mum) of a lady parking her car, she basically rammed the car behind and infront until her car fitted.... so Europe prob isnt the best example of "Exemplary driving"

[AttaBoy]

I have seen riders with big bikes almost wide as a small car going between lanes. INSANE. One rider knocked of my aunty's Hyundai excel side mirrors off last year. I know its Hyundai but still....

[bradcad]

I have seen riders with big bikes almost wide as a small car going between lanes. INSANE. One rider knocked of my aunty's Hyundai excel side mirrors off last year. I know its Hyundai but still....

That's more to the point, Ive seen Harleys with ape bars pushing between too and it is rediculous. And to cause damage to someone's car is pretty poor, I imagine he didnt stop?


That's unfortunately what gives bike riders a bad name.

[AttaBoy]

From what my aunt told me last year it seems (can't remember exactly) that he didn't stop and appears to not notice it at all and kept going. Unfortunately she had to get it repaired at her expense.

[Struma]

I'm a biker and a car driver, and I live in Brisbane, so anyone who lives here knows what the traffic is like.

Given that I only ride with a leather jacket, long pants and lace free biker boots (anyone who turns up at a hospital after binning it while only wearing shorts and thongs should be put at the bottom of the triage list), I understand that it gets really hot out in the sun while in the queue and that lane splitting when the traffic is stopped, while illegal, is understandable.

I had a couple of Brisbane bicycle coppers lane split on me while I was on Roma street just last week...and they caught up with me at every red light (they were all red)...

But lane splitting in moving traffic is a big no no. The danger is immense and since we know that Queenslanders do not use their indicators or look over their shoulders when changing lanes I would be petrified to attempt it in moving traffic.

I watched a guy on some Jap bike splitting down Gympie road the other day, and the P plater in front of me deliberately moved across the lane to tighten up the channel and stop him - the biker just grabbed his mirror and folded it back against his fairing - nice deisgn feature, probably created to stop mirrors being snapped off in minor lay downs...but it was still pretty funny to watch - the biker just kept on cruising.

I split when the traffic is standing and the weather is hot, but I would never dream of touching someone elses car...although I would like to throw a couple of old sparkplugs over my shoulder after passing some donkey who has just thrown a burning cigarette out his window with me behind him.

Have fun all.

[Struma]

Oh, and another thing... as Stealthy suggested, bikers really appreciate knowing that car drivers know that they are there...it can be really hard to tell if someone has seen you, in, for example, a roundabout, especially if they are wearing sunglasses - so do the bikers a favour and turn your head instead of your eyes when you are watching them, that way they know you have seen them.

Cheers.

[Grennan]

Id prefer to have them in front of me/beside me rather than behind me or in a blind sport where they could pop out at any second. But it does frustrate me when i see that, also annoys me when they weave in and out of traffic in peak hour. They wonder why they get hit, they move in and out of traffic by the time we see them and react theyve change their position again and end up under a car.

[maginoodle]

i dont do it on my bike because people just arent looking for bikes when they are driving.

[STEALTHY™]

Oh, and another thing... as Stealthy suggested, bikers really appreciate knowing that car drivers know that they are there...it can be really hard to tell if someone has seen you, in, for example, a roundabout, especially if they are wearing sunglasses - so do the bikers a favour and turn your head instead of your eyes when you are watching them, that way they know you have seen them.

Cheers.

A simple nod or a wave is what i give.

[bradcad]

I'm sorry to hear about the aunt's mirror. That does suck. At least it sounds like there are a lot of people with some common sence here.

[hingo1983]

If you are stopped in traffic, why not let them lane split. Its not like they are going to hold up the cars ahead of you. I don't see a problem. On a busy highway, thats another story because people are inclined to lane swap without checknig their blind spots.

[Low_VX_Taxi]

If you are stopped in traffic, why not let them lane split. Its not like they are going to hold up the cars ahead of you. I don't see a problem.

As long as the gap is big enough to fit the bike i see no problems with this (aside being jealous i cant do it lol), but ive watched a few pplz on larger bikes try and get thru gapz and end up scratching cars..... rare yes but it does happen.

Im always checking for bikes and once i see one i generally keep an eye on em.... I think of my friend whos been riding for 20 odd years and has two young kids.... I guess people tend to forget that bike riders are people often with families too!

[naf33n]

they have changed the rules lane splitting is LEGAL in nsw as long as the traffic isnt moving.

when i did my bike L's in december last year it was illegal. and we where told it was a $70 dollar fine for every car you pass.. but in march for my P's they gave everyone a little flyer on it. sayin they had changed the rules and it is now legal to lane split as long as the traffic is at a complete stop

they also said riding in the breakdown lane is illegal

[Greekos]

as its been said so long as they keep away im happy, i had some hero on a harley over take me around a bend, bikes are great i enjoy them when i can, but i hate it when they do stupid things on the road as bike rider are the crumple zone

[BeastVS]

I use to ride a motorbike, A pretty decent one to. But 2 years ago ( i was 16 ) I had a bad accident and i wont ever ride one on the road again. The accident wasnt my fault, but this is what happend. I was ridding down a main road one night, There was plenty of street lights and i had my lights on and i was ridding in the middle of my lane were the light was so that cars could see me very easily. The speed limit was 70, I was just below the speed limit when....WHACK the next thing i no i wake up 4 days later in a hospital with a bad head injury and a few broken bones ( Wrist, Knee, Collar bone, Tail bone ) The witnesses said that the car behind me didnt even attempt to slow down after he hit me at full speed. Did not attempt to stop and check or anything. I was found over 25 metres from the crash site in bush's in a pool of my own blood. After that night i will never ride a bike on the road again. The guy who hit me was never found or charged with anything. I no this doesnt go alone with the thread much but i just want to put a warning out to all bike riders. Be very very careful when ridding.

[jules]

there are homicidal maniacs out there who aim for bikers. it's a fact of life. the guy who shot the cop in moorabin, vic used to do it for sport. needless to say their brains are not working correctly but they're out there.

i have ridden for years and you see some strange stuff from drivers when you're on a bike, that's for sure. most drivers are OK though.

hope you're feeling better, that's bad luck

on the lane splitting, i will split stationary or crawling traffic at slow speed (20-30 km/h, which is jogging pace) but not moving traffic.

riders who split moving traffic or stationary traffic at high speed should get good life insurance.

[AttaBoy]

Isn't most bikes loud enough to be noticed or loud enough to get drivers to 'look' around more or be aware???