Is speed control coming for bikes?

[weeksy]

So, Big Brother has arrived for cars and is coming for bikes before long.

It would be better if they focused on using cars’ forward-facing cameras to reduce tailgating.

It would be better if car drivers accept bicycles are important.

It'd be even better if humans were not allowed to drive at all.

[MrLongbeard]

Nah, given … the current crop of motorcyclists organisations I still don't see it happening soon.

Technology issues aside, do we know if the BMF or MAG is doing anything about it?

https://bit.ly/3QVYaxG

[MrLongbeard]

It would be better if car drivers accept bicycles are important.

As functional modes of transport they are, as toys that clog the roads whenever a club decides to get together for a

Spoiler

race

time trail, chain gang or whatever they can all sod off and be melted down

[Scootabout]

A mix of GPS and speed limit recognition cameras determines the speed limit.

I assume that, at the moment, satnavs identify speed limits from comparing current position against a database, and that the accuracy depends on the frequency with which the database is updated - not just on the device but at source by, I assume, local authorities or the highways agency. Which is why they can be out of date, even if you update your device frequently.
So adding visual recognition of signs ought to add more accuracy, and maybe does, except where signage is missing, as Spin pointed out.

Have I got that right?

[Felix]

@weeksy - make it so. Please...

Yeah, like that'll encourage more people in

Will it get more interesting?

[wheelnut]

I can’t see it happening - throttle input is part of the steering mechanism on bikes, it’s not on cars. It would upset the handling of the bike too much.

I’m not aware of any bikes that have speed limiters* - same reason.

*doesn’t mean they don’t exist though.

[The Spin Doctor]

I assume that, at the moment, satnavs identify speed limits from comparing current position against a database, and that the accuracy depends on the frequency with which the database is updated - not just on the device but at source by, I assume, local authorities or the highways agency. Which is why they can be out of date, even if you update your device frequently.
So adding visual recognition of signs ought to add more accuracy, and maybe does, except where signage is missing, as Spin pointed out.

Have I got that right?

As I understand it... yes.

Waze is pretty accurate, in the US and in the UK at least, at getting speed limits right and works entirely from databases. It's not often I find it hasn't been updated - I did find a 60 that should have been a 40, and oddly enough the other way round, when out in the car recently.

[The Spin Doctor]

I can’t see it happening - throttle input is part of the steering mechanism on bikes, it’s not on cars. It would upset the handling of the bike too much.

I’m not aware of any bikes that have speed limiters* - same reason.

*doesn’t mean they don’t exist though.

Have you never slowed down on the curved approach to a roundabout? Heck, I bet you've even braked!

Yes, mostly bikes do steer better on a whiff of throttle... but it doesn't mean they are uncontrollable with the throttle closed.

[Horse]

I can’t see it happening - throttle input is part of the steering mechanism on bikes, it’s not on cars. It would upset the handling of the bike too much.

Have you never slowed down on the curved approach to a roundabout? Heck, I bet you've even braked!

Yes, mostly bikes do steer better on a whiff of throttle... but it doesn't mean they are uncontrollable with the throttle closed.

It could be more a case of 'how'. If the system closed the throttle abruptly or, worse still, applied the brakes mid-bend, then that might ruin your day.

[MrLongbeard]

Waze is pretty accurate, in the US and in the UK at least, at getting speed limits right and works entirely from databases. It's not often I find it hasn't been updated - I did find a 60 that should have been a 40, and oddly enough the other way round, when out in the car recently.

I commuted by a different route today and came across a load of roadworks with average speed camera on them, google maps had the correct lower speed limit for the road, first thought that popped in to my head 'these roadworks must have been here a while'

[MrLongbeard]

I can’t see it happening - throttle input is part of the steering mechanism on bikes, it’s not on cars. It would upset the handling of the bike too much.

I’m not aware of any bikes that have speed limiters* - same reason.

*doesn’t mean they don’t exist though.

Have you never slowed down on the curved approach to a roundabout? Heck, I bet you've even braked!

Yes, mostly bikes do steer better on a whiff of throttle... but it doesn't mean they are uncontrollable with the throttle closed.

Yea, But I knew I was going to do it so can anticipate the bikes reaction.
Enter stage left, 'if you know your speeding you should know your vehicle will cut your speed' arguments in to the mix

[wheelnut]

Have you never slowed down on the curved approach to a roundabout? Heck, I bet you've even braked!

Yes, mostly bikes do steer better on a whiff of throttle... but it doesn't mean they are uncontrollable with the throttle closed.

I don’t remember saying that they would be uncontrollable.

It would definitely make them more unpredictable - which isn’t something you want went steering the bike and it’s a pretty obvious safety implication.

[Horse]

... came across a load of roadworks with average speed camera on them, google maps had the correct lower speed limit for the road, first thought that popped in to my head 'these roadworks must have been here a while'

From watching roadworks on the M4 as they were displayed, it took a while for the 50 av to be recognised.

So FYI, in a 70 limit orange = 50

[Mr. Dazzle]

Throttle input is absolutely part of the steering mechanism on cars, it's just that most car drivers either aren't aware or don't care. I use it every day, probably more than most TBF due to the fact I drive around about a million roundabouts - constant steering wheel angle, adjust the turn rate with the throttle. Just like a bike really.

[Horse]

Throttle input is absolutely part of the steering mechanism on cars, it's just that most car drivers either aren't aware or don't care. I use it every day, probably more than most TBF due to the fact I drive around about a million roundabouts - constant steering wheel angle, adjust the turn rate with the throttle. Just like a bike really.

I like to drive smoothly. Used to think i was quite good until, a few years ago, I was taught what was called 'hinting'.

Basically, get speed right on the approach, throttle for balance, apply a little steering, then more throttle, with steering adjustment only if needed.

Took about a year to become 'automatic'.

[Hot_Air]

Thanks, @MrLongbeard.

Exclusion of motorcycles from compulsory ISA didn’t just happen, it’s because FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations), FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) and our own Anna Zee lobbied against it. That’s why I’m in the BMF.

It's why I'm in the BMF, too. If we don't support the BMF, they can't support us.

But my spam filter may have been overenthusiastic as I've missed this BMF news.

[Skub]

It's why I'm in the BMF, too. If we don't support the BMF, they can't spend our membership money on parties with strippers and the like.

FTFY.

[Horse]

It's why I'm in the BMF, too. If we don't support the BMF, they can't spend our membership money on parties with strippers and the like.

FTFY.

You've not been to a BMF AGM evening 'event', have you?

Just to save you the grief, no strippers and the like

[Skub]

You've not been to a BMF AGM evening 'event', have you?

Just to save you the grief, no strippers and the like

That 'event' was a few years ago now.maybe the new bosses are more circumspect.

[wheelnut]

Throttle input is absolutely part of the steering mechanism on cars, it's just that most car drivers either aren't aware or don't care. I use it every day, probably more than most TBF due to the fact I drive around about a million roundabouts - constant steering wheel angle, adjust the turn rate with the throttle. Just like a bike really.

Very true - but you know what I mean