What does the law say about standing up in traffic?
This morning I was stopped at a roadblock on Giel Basson Road, "Why are you standing up?" the nice traffic lady asked? I said, "because I have better control of my motorcycle while riding over your rumble strips in the road and I wanted to see why all the cars were braking and indicating in front of me, that was when I saw your roadblock" she said, "it is against the law you know", I said, "not as far as I know", she said, "it is", I said, "can you show me in the National Road Traffic Act where it states this?", she went and spoke with a colleague and returned with a tiny book, she paged through her book and said she couldn't find anything but will get back to me, she took my number and promised to call me back. She was very friendly so I had no problem with how this panned out. I look forward to her phonecall. Does anyone know if it is illegal to stand in traffic? 
it is 
National Road Traffic Act, 1996
National Road Traffic Regulations, 1999
309. Duties relating to motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle
1)
No person shall drive a motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor
quadrucycle on a public road unless his or her feet are resting on the
front foot-rests suitable for the purpose and, where the design of such
motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle makes it possible to do
so, he or she is seated astride on the saddle of such motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle.
http://www.acts.co.za/rt_nrta/regs_309_duties_relating_to_motor_cycle_mo...
And for some reason many people (including motorcyclists) believe it is harder to ride standing up than it is sitting.
However, I will happily do my riding license test again, on Mr.Badger, standing up, to prove that I am actually more capable standing than sitting.
it is
National Road Traffic Act, 1996
National Road Traffic Regulations, 1999
309. Duties relating to motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle
1)
No person shall drive a motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor
quadrucycle on a public road unless his or her feet are resting on the
front foot-rests suitable for the purpose and, where the design of such
motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle makes it possible to do
so, he or she is seated astride on the saddle of such motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle.
http://www.acts.co.za/rt_nrta/regs_309_duties_relating_to_motor_cycle_mo...
thnx Tony, so I guess I can expect a fine
I can appreciate standing up in traffic (or any other place where it is required to improve riding/visibility/safety), as I do it myself, BUT I canot help but feel that the "Meerkat-brigade" overcook it a bit, since they only do it to attract attention to themselves or when there's a photo opportunity.
There's a camera on my way home so I always stand up there 
About bike control, visit one of the Cape Trials events, in the sections ridden one is in the "standing on the pegs position" until the exit gate. This is a slow sport where balance, body English and throttle control is everything. Talk to Charles for dates. This is one of the most amazing sports.
But rules are rules wether you agree with them or not.
Guilty as charged.
I stand because I'm very comfortable standing.
It always gives me a wow factor.
When I come across a poser, I tend to sit as I don't want that label.
However over the last 300 000km my body muscles have toned in and I can stand for hours on end.
I get a better view, it keeps my speed down on or below 120kph and I've had most traffic occasions life can throw at you, while standing, and not once wished I'de been sitting.
Yes, I used to sit when I saw a blou baaidjie, but I've learnt that only attracts attention.
some peole wheelie because it gives them that trhill.
I stand.
It's just lekker.
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
With sex on tap, a wife who makes me feel bullet proof, 3 kids up and out the nest and successfully doing their own thing, I have nothing to prove to anybody anywhere.
I stand and thats it.
I'm a road user and so road block are a fact of life.
I come up to the officers if, they are hauling me over and even kick the side stand out while standing and stay standing.
It's years since any cop asked me why or told me its a problem.
On race days, when I marshal, I ride with the traffic police and have even swapped bikes with one for a short while because he said it was so uncomfortbale to do on his Honda 1200 road bike. once he trid it he could understand why I could do the Argus circuit twice without sitting down once.
On group rides, we've never been taken to task for standing.
I guess we ride well, not bad mannered and it is tolerated.
Yes, the day is not far off before some twat does something to aggravate a cop and it starts to get their attention they enforce AARTO 199.
Until that day, I will shamelessly ride standing when I feel like it. on or off tar.
To keep awake while commuting I try to do the entire 52 k's Gbay to Bellvile without sititng down and or without my feet touching the ground.
I manage it avery 1 out of three trips, by getting my traffic light cycle assesment guesed correctly and by timuing my approach.
I even sometimes try to to the trip without standing at all.
But thats harder, the sheer joy of riding the bike makes me want to stand.
I cannot believe that its kept on being such fun for over 30 years.
It's faix aoccompli i will be killed on the bike, but the smile will still be there.
Hopefully I can keep my much abused frame from going TX and still ride well into my 60's.
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