Bikes in bus lanes - new law on bus signals

[Mort]

New law announced on bus signals :


The changes from 1 October 2011 are designed to improve traffic flow and safety, and include the following.

Riders of motorcycles, mopeds and bikes, who are already allowed to use bus lanes (unless excluded by signage), will now also be able to proceed on a white ‘B’ (bus) signal. This will prevent riders blocking the way of waiting buses and will improve traffic flow.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/about/media/releases/1409/news.html

[Ferkletastic]

Cool, seems like a smart move.

[Swoop]

Have been doing that all along as it is the sensible thing to do.


"Laws are made for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men" as the saying goes.

[sleemanj]

Great stuff, one less ambiguity.

70K's limit for L platers gone. Bus signals OK. LAM in 12 months. Finally some progress!

Now if they could just get some proper written rules, or at least official clarifications, on lane splitting and filtering.

Oh and let us legally use bike lanes at say less than 20k/hr and without overtaking any other user of said lane that'd solve a lot of the splitting/filtering greyness in town right there without unduly inconveniencing or endangering anybody.

[swbarnett]

Now if they could just get some proper written rules, or at least official clarifications, on lane splitting and filtering.

Oh and let us legally use bike lanes at say less than 20k/hr and without overtaking any other user of said lane that'd solve a lot of the splitting/filtering greyness in town right there without unduly inconveniencing or endangering anybody.
Be careful what you wish for. I suspect most current lane splitting would be illegal under such a law. I can't remember the last time I lane split down the motorway and stayed under 20kph.

[sleemanj]

Be careful what you wish for. I suspect most current lane splitting would be illegal under such a law. I can't remember the last time I lane split down the motorway and stayed under 20kph.

AK and WN motorway splitting is a whole different kettle of fish. Thankfully I live in a superior city, Christchurch, where splitting pretty much involves getting to the head of queues at lights, much like the rest of the country.

[Zedder]

What's going on at NZTA? Two sensible decisions in less than a month!

[davebullet]

"a white (B) bus signal"? Something you people up north have eh?

[st00ji]

yep, when a bus lane reaches certain sets of lights the bus gets to go a few seconds before other traffic.

they ditched the 70k learner limit? when?

[swbarnett]

AK and WN motorway splitting is a whole different kettle of fish. Thankfully I live in a superior city, Christchurch, where splitting pretty much involves getting to the head of queues at lights, much like the rest of the country.
Ah, that explains it. You're right, 20kph is probably quite reasonable for urban splitting.

[Spearfish]

"a white (B) bus signal"? Something you people up north have eh?

We have all sorts of signals, doesn't mean they are obeyed as often as they should.
Green means carry on texting cause you don't need to look up.
Yellow means cain it because you could be waiting two seconds if you stop.
Red means stop ONLY if your about the 9th or 10th car "running it" or the bastards on the green have the audacity to move.
The flow control lights on the motorway onramps just stop cars, bikes just breeze on through, except Fridays then it's "fuck the establishment hour" some will run the reds, some slow or skid to a stop and nearly cause a pile up while bikes just breeze on through.
School zone lights mean "be careful dropping your own kids off but its ok to text work you could be a little late while running everyone else's kids over"

Its a great system, its not that they were good ideas that worked to control reckless behaviour, it just educates those who could end up as victims to change their ways.

[sleemanj]

they ditched the 70k learner limit? when?

3 days ago



Changes coming for learner motorcycle licence holders
28 Sep 2011 | National Office
Learner motorcycle licence holders will be able to drive at similar speeds as vehicles travelling around them on open roads when updated traffic rules come into force this Saturday (1 October).

The update is part of the first set of the changes contained in the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Rule 2011. Harry Wilson, acting group manager of the NZTA’s Access and Use Group said the changes aim to provide safer journeys for all road users.

“Removing the current 70km/h speed limit restriction for learner motorcycle licence holders is in line with best speed management practice where vehicles in high speed zones are safer when they travel at similar speeds,” said Mr Wilson.


http://www.nzta.govt.nz/about/media/releases/1405/news.html

[Zedder]

We have all sorts of signals, doesn't mean they are obeyed as often as they should.
Green means carry on texting cause you don't need to look up.
Yellow means cain it because you could be waiting two seconds if you stop.
Red means stop ONLY if your about the 9th or 10th car "running it" or the bastards on the green have the audacity to move.
The flow control lights on the motorway onramps just stop cars, bikes just breeze on through, except Fridays then it's "fuck the establishment hour" some will run the reds, some slow or skid to a stop and nearly cause a pile up while bikes just breeze on through.
School zone lights mean "be careful dropping your own kids off but its ok to text work you could be a little late while running everyone else's kids over"

Its a great system, its not that they were good ideas that worked to control reckless behaviour, it just educates those who could end up as victims to change their ways.

That's not only bloody funny but uncomfortably close to the truth.