This one is only relevant to the Kiwi readers but it is probably useful for you to know that the government is currently taking submissions on a few new traffic rules. A few of these are immediately relevant to the local scooter contingent... one is not a bad idea at all... the other... well it takes the foolishness of restricting "mopeds" aka 50cc scooters to 50kph to an even more ridiculous extreme...

First... the one that is a relatively intelligent idea:

Proposal 20 Use of motorcycle and moped lights
during daylight hours

PROPOSAL. It is proposed to amend the Rule to require drivers of mopeds
and motorcycles to use headlamps or, if fitted, daytime running lamps,
during daylight hours.
A proposed definition of the term ‘daytime running lamp’ is to be inserted in
the Rule (see 6(1) of the draft Rule).
Reason for proposed change
Motorcycle casualties (fatalities, serious injuries and minor injuries)
have increased by almost 80 percent since 2001. Although some
increase in the number of casualties might have been expected as a
result of the 28 percent increase in licensed motorcycles over the same
period (see Figure 3), the NZTA and the Ministry of Transport are
concerned that the increase is so large. Furthermore, the cost of fuel
has risen, and is likely to remain high, so motorcycle ownership and
use is likely to increase further. It is important that motorcycle safety
initiatives that follow best practice are put in place to deal with this
growing road safety problem.
Road User Amendment Rule
Yellow draft – September 2008
Overview - 29

The next one... not so brilliant:

Proposal 10 Set a maximum speed for mopeds

PROPOSAL. It is proposed that a person must not operate a vehicle
registered as a moped at a speed exceeding 50km/h.
Reason for proposed change
A moped is defined as:
“a motor vehicle running on 2 or 3 wheels that is fitted with a motor
having a power output not exceeding 2 kW and is designed to be ridden at
a speed not exceeding 50 km per hour under normal conditions of use.”
A moped rider is not required to hold a motorcycle licence, mainly
because of the limited power output of the moped and its operating
speed. However, in some cases, vehicles are registered as mopeds when
they are outside the definition of such a vehicle or they are
subsequently modified so their power output or speed exceeds the
values for a moped.
It is important that any mistaken classification does not lead to drivers
with minimal motorcycle experience and skills driving such a
misclassified moped at a speed outside that intended.

In theory this is just a way to police the existing restrictions imposed upon "moped" riders. However a smarter move would have been to allow these machines, which are still increasing in popularity (globally) to make their full power so they can safely flow with traffic rather than being slow moving speed humps.

Please follow the link below and fill in the required form so we don't end up with a ridiculous 50kph top speed restriction being policed here in New Zealand. 

Full documentation and submission details look HERE

Comments (4)

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written by Parmigiani replicas , May 23, 2011

I like the article! -Parmigiani replicasI like popular thing! I appreciate your writing style! From your work before I can learn can't learn things!

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written by scootersrme , June 15, 2009

I have just been to the site, confusing??? my oath!!
could you/ someone please post an exact page link to fill in the form?
I don't have the patience to wade through all the bureaucratic non-sense on that site.

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written by Spearfish , October 01, 2008

Oh and have submitted against the speed restriction at NZTA, the site is confusing to navigate around but worth it...

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written by Spearfish , September 26, 2008

That amendment proposal could be called the Speed Hump Rule.
So if we made a rule that sacked anyone from LTNZ not using their brains, it could be called the, "pothole" rule?
I wonder if they are going to tip learner drivers out of unrestricted cars?
Probably as likely as strapping a convicted "boy racer" into a chair bolted to the front bumper of a really frustrated Auckland courier van running late to
finish their round on a Friday.
Or bolted to a 14ft car squeezed head first into a 13ft garage....at speed,,,,many,many times.
I think the cager "BOY Racer" who bent my scoot was late home to mummy for "bitty" . I spent some time explaining to him how I doubted his parents were married while wrapping it in a colourful over use of yellow-card language and exclamation marks. If I hadn't had so many people helping I would have RED carded!!
ref:BBC Little Britain

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