Cut us a little slack, says learner rider

A learner motorbike rider is asking motorists to show a little patience when coming up behind riders displaying their "L" plates.

Motueka woman Mandy Smith, 55, received her learner's licence at the end of July after passing the compulsory skills test and written exam.

She was inspired after her husband Brian, bought a bike, and a friend got a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.

"I thought gee, if she can do it, I can do it. That's my motto.

"I just got turned on to motorbikes. It was unexplainable."

She has taken to the streets of Tasman on her Suzuki Intruder 250cc, doggedly sticking to the 70kmh speed limit learner motorcyclists are required to travel at.

Although she has never being struck by a four-wheeled vehicle, Mrs Smith said drivers often drove right behind her when unable to pass.

"Other drivers are pretty good, but I do find at times that they get a bit close behind you, and it can make you feel a bit nervous."

While she pulled over when she could, it was not always possible because of the narrowness of the road or hazards near the kerb.

"A learner bike rider does not want to get in any gravel, and sometimes there is nowhere to stop and you could have 10 cars behind you.

"It just makes you feel a little as if you should be getting off the road and stop and let them pass, but you're also trying to do the right thing by the speed limit."

Mrs Smith questioned whether the speed limit should be raised to 80kmh to allow learners to travel at a speed nearer the 100kmh limit when on the open road, but regardless, wanted drivers to know why learner riders were travelling slower than other road users. She also asked drivers to be aware that many learner drivers liked to come to a complete stop at a give-way sign, and might take a little longer to accelerate than other motorists.

New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman Andy Knackstedt said the 70kmh speed limit was one of several conditions for learner drivers which were collectively aimed at allowing them to gradually gain the skills needed to ride safely without restrictions.

Others were not using a bike with an engine capacity greater that 250cc, not riding between 10pm and 5am, and not carrying a passenger.

Mr Knackstedt said it was recognised that the 70kmh restriction created a large difference in the speed of vehicles travelling on the open road and could lead to risks.

It will be examined by the Ministry of Transport as part of amendments to the driver licensing rules, which will be progressed next year.

Land Transport New Zealand figures show that there were 772 mopeds and 2111 motorcycles registered in Nelson at the end of May 2008.

According to ACC, there were 60 new claims by motorcyclists for injuries suffered on the road between July 2007 and June 2008 in the Tasman region. There were 94 in Nelson.

- © Fairfax NZ News