Auckland's T2 lanes... for who?

[st00ji]

the controversial T2 lanes leading on to the motorways, often abused... including by me?

does anyone know if bikes are 'legally' allowed in these lanes? most of the signs have buses, trucks and multi passenger cars. but where i get on the motorway in the mornings, the first sign you see has bikes on it too.

i compromise in my head by riding up the small median strip that seperates the T2 lane from the others. (not quite in T2, but still skipping traffic hah) i have recently seen a few cops policing these areas hence the question...

anyone know for sure?

[chocobo_ff]

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/Transport/buses/lanes.asp
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/transport/buses/cbdbus.asp
http://transportblog.co.nz/tag/bus-lanes/



Bikes use bus lanes too! Buses, cycles and motorcycles are all authorised users of bus lanes, so keep an eye out for them.


And I think all the T2 lanes I have seen have signs saying motorcycles can use them.

I think unless it specifically says "bus only", you'll be fine.

EDIT: oops, the above links are for bus lanes... try this: http://www.northshorecity.govt.nz/transport_and_roads/Public-transport/Transit-lanes.htm



A transit lane is a lane reserved for buses, taxis, cars and other vehicles carrying three or more people, as well as bicycles and motorbikes. It usually only operates during peak hours, eg. 6.30am to 9am.

[PrincessBandit]

The one at Mt Wellington doesn't have a motorbike pic on it. Probably best to check LTSA website for clarification as to which ones you can and can't use. Do a search on here too as it has been discussed before by others.

[chocobo_ff]

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/rules/docs/road-user-rule-2004.pdf



transit lane means a lane reserved for the use of the following
(unless specifically excluded by a sign installed at the start of
the lane):
(a) passenger service vehicles:
(b) motor vehicles carrying not less than the number of
persons (including the driver) specified on the sign:
(c) cycles:
(d) motorcycles

[MikeL]

I too have been confused by the absence of a motorcycle symbol on some T2 signs. I continue to use them, on the assumption that this uncertainty would be acknowledged by the law, which as we know operates on principles of reasonableness and fairness...

[Swoop]

T2 lane = yes for bikes.


One vehicle,
Per green,
Each lane....

Yeah, Right!<_<

[Ixion]

the controversial T2 lanes leading on to the motorways, often abused... including by me?

does anyone know if bikes are 'legally' allowed in these lanes? most of the signs have buses, trucks and multi passenger cars. but where i get on the motorway in the mornings, the first sign you see has bikes on it too.

i compromise in my head by riding up the small median strip that seperates the T2 lane from the others. (not quite in T2, but still skipping traffic hah) i have recently seen a few cops policing these areas hence the question...

anyone know for sure?


Yes. Bikes may use these lanes (except the 'truck only' lane from Grafton Rd). And BRONZ has written acknowledgement from the cops that this is so. And all Auckland cops have been advised of this.

I had a link about this on here. Search and ye shall find.

[Mully]

Yes. Bikes may use these lanes (except the 'truck only' lane from Grafton Rd). And BRONZ has written acknowledgement from the cops that this is so. And all Auckland cops have been advised of this.


This is what I'm banking on when I use 'em - a lot of the new T2 signs onto the Northwestern carpark don't mention bikes, whereas I thought a lot of the older ones did.

[Ixion]

Cos I'm good like that I searched out the thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=89918)with the letter in it from the cops admitting we can (pdf and doc versions in the thread).

Cynical souls like me might like to print off the letter and carry it.

[Squiggles]

Yes. Bikes may use these lanes (except the 'truck only' lane from Grafton Rd).

Have a look next time ya go through, the truck only lane has been designated an emergency stopping lane by the looks of the signage and green paint... :eek: Gotta watch the hooning buses now too :(

[Ixion]

Technically, it is an emergency stopping lane. But trucks (only) have dispensation from transit to use it. Same as buses have dispensation to use the emergency stopping shoulder on the motorways.

[Swoop]

Cos I'm good like that I searched out the thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=89918)with the letter in it from the cops admitting we can (pdf and doc versions in the thread).

Cynical souls like me might like to print off the letter and carry it.
How does one put that attachment into the Wiki area???

[st00ji]

thanks for the fast replies guys! i wasnt 100% sure because i know we are not supposed to use the bus lanes on the motorways, and i didnt know whose jurisdiction the T2 lanes fell under.

[90s]

Cos I'm good like that I searched out the thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=89918)with the letter in it from the cops admitting we can (pdf and doc versions in the thread).

Cynical souls like me might like to print off the letter and carry it.

I have been carrying a copy of this in my tank bag for months now.

In a way a small part of me has been dissapointed not to have been pulled on the T2 lane I ride in daily so enabling me to produce it with a theatric flourish.

[Jonno.]

T2 lane = yes for bikes.


One vehicle,
Per green,
Each lane....

Yeah, Right!<_<

Are bike supposed to wait for the lights? (serious question).
Anyone been done for skipping them?

[Ixion]

I see no objection, as a biker , to One vehicle per lane per green ".One vehicle in lane 1, one in lane 2, one (me) in lane 1a. Any delay is trifling, one can usually time ones filter so as to coincide with the green.

[st00ji]

its a shame the whole lane splitting thing is such a grey area with bikes, as to my mind motorists should be vaguely pleased that bikers are doing these things (as long as they are done with a modicum of respect for other road users of course) - since if we were sitting in traffic taking up, essentially, the space of a car then we might as well BE another car, contributing to congestion rather than helping in some small way to relieve it.

perhaps if bikes start becoming more popular with inevitable gas price hikes the govt will look to make some rules about it all...

[Swoop]

Are bike supposed to wait for the lights? (serious question).
No. Fucking ignore them.

its a shame the whole lane splitting thing is such a grey area with bikes,
No grey area at all. Overtake on the right of a vehicle, indicate your intentions (right indicator on), keep out of the lane on your right.

[swbarnett]

Cos I'm good like that I searched out the thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=89918)with the letter in it from the cops admitting we can (pdf and doc versions in the thread).

Cynical souls like me might like to print off the letter and carry it.
Signs are good that this will be of less and less value. The new T2 lane on the Constellation southbound on-ramp actually has a motorcycle on the sign.

[Ixion]

When I spoke to Transit about it (to confirm that we were allowed), I mentioned that the lack of a bike picture on the signs was confusing the cops (not a hard thing to do, admittedly); and they (Transit) said they'd put a bike on new signs. I guess they are.