Bus lanes

[snuffles]

bastards....... cops i mean.. got caught riding in a bus lane the other day.

officer stops me and asks me what did I think i was doing...........explained to the simple chap that I was riding in bus lane.


he tells me this is illegal and gives me $600 dollar ticket for doing so.

now tell me if i'm wrong, but does the road code not say the motorbikes and cycles are allowed to ride in bus lanes unless the signage specifically says no bikes?

what do you guys think? :motu:

[bugjuice]

you should be allowed to use bus lanes, except for motorway bus lanes. But, you'd also have to check with your local council. Give them a call now, and ask about the policy. Don't mention anything about the ticket or being stopped etc, just say you're calling to find out if you are allowed or not. If they say yes, you are, then appeal against the ticket. If they say no, you're not allowed, bite the bullet and pay the ticket, and don't do it again..

where abouts was it? what road? I don't know welly, but I'm sure many others that way do..

[Jonty]

Ah the bus lane post - I though we were due for another one soon :dodge:

In wellington you can ride in all buslanes except ‘Buses Only’ lanes. These are:

On the southbound route of Lambton Quay starting at Kirkaldie’s and continuing along Hunter Street, Customhouse Quay, and Willis Street
on Thorndon Quay in the operations area at the Lambton Interchange.

If it was anywhere else complain!! and request the cop brushes up on his road rules.

[Ixion]

bastards....... cops i mean.. got caught riding in a bus lane the other day.

officer stops me and asks me what did I think i was doing...........explained to the simple chap that I was riding in bus lane.


he tells me this is illegal and gives me $600 dollar ticket for doing so.

now tell me if i'm wrong, but does the road code not say the motorbikes and cycles are allowed to ride in bus lanes unless the signage specifically says no bikes?

what do you guys think? :motu:

Yep

Tell him to go read the law. Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004
SR 2004/427 Rule 61001.



bus lane means a lane reserved by a marking or sign installed
at the start of the lane and at each point at which the lane
resumes after an intersection for the use of—
(a) buses; and
(b) cycles and motorcycles (unless either or both are specifically
excluded by the sign)


Just check the sign didn't specifically exclude bikes, and write in and ask for the ticket to be withdrawn (being cheeky, I'd also ask that the cop be retrained).

[bugjuice]

(being cheeky, I'd also ask that the cop be retrained).
lol.. yeah, cos that'd win over the cops in no time.. ;)

[v.ros`]

OMG @ BUGJUICE's SIGNATURE !!!!! :psst:

[Jonty]

OMG @ BUGJUICE's SIGNATURE !!!!! :psst:

Yeh! what the hell is that all about? I hope they aren't optional KBer smilies :oi-grr:

[bugjuice]

OMG @ BUGJUICE's SIGNATURE !!!!! :psst:
lol.. you just noticed?
was thinking of changing it soon, so don't fret too much..

[v.ros`]

haaahaahah that was funny...

woops sorry to hijack this thread :motu:

[T.I.E]

B Juice's signature is something.

would like to know where and when the ticket was issused.

and the word being "excluding Motorcyclists" needs to be clearly visible on the sign on the bus lane not "buses only" to me that could be argued.

but where and when?

I also get pissed off when police issue tickets when they are clearly in the wrong. and then you have to go throught tha hassle of rectifying the situation. when if the officer, whom if they knew the rules and did their job (which is what they are paid for) wouldn't have to deal with the problem in the first place.
so do i send the police department a bill for my time and resources taken to clear myself from police wrong doings?
can i cleaim for this? do i recieve an apology?
no.
yep as ya can figure i got the short end of the stick. after a few letters the ticket i recieved was dropped. and no apology. ohh was not happy. it was a huge pain.

[crashe]

Ummmmm I thought if you were caught riding on the motorway BUS lanes it was a $150 fine...............

So what is the rest of the fine for???????????

$600
$150
$450

[James Deuce]

Ummmmm I thought if you were caught riding on the motorway BUS lanes it was a $150 fine...............

So what is the rest of the fine for???????????

$600
$150
$450

It was Pommy Git tax.

Fight the Power!!

[Blackbird]

Tell him to go read the law. Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 SR 2004/427 Rule 61001.

Hi Les

I'm really impressed. Does your quotation infer that you've been done too? :rofl:

Cheers

Geoff

[The Stranger]

If you go to

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-safety/new-road-rules/rur-qas.html

It would appear that you can use the bus lanes unless specifically excluded by signs.

Unfortunately their idea of specific and mine (and probably yours) are different.

They use a general exclusion along the lines of "buses only" to specifically mean no motorcycles.

There is often a world of difference at law between the terms "specific" and "general". I was using the motorway bus lanes until I found out they were prosecuting for this.

[sAsLEX]

If you go to

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-safety/new-road-rules/rur-qas.html

It would appear that you can use the bus lanes unless specifically excluded by signs.

Unfortunately their idea of specific and mine (and probably yours) are different.

They use a general exclusion along the lines of "buses only" to specifically mean no motorcycles.

There is often a world of difference at law between the terms "specific" and "general". I was using the motorway bus lanes until I found out they were prosecuting for this.

fortunatly it doesn't matter what they say about Buses Only Signs as the only thing they are specific about is the Bus. It is that they are too lazy to change them to a more correct sign of "bus lane, motorcycles excluded" or some thing.

The person who suggested ringin the council, while a good idea, the new law means that the rules are the same over the whole country and not area specific and controlled by the councils like tey used to be!

[GR81]

Can motorcycles use bus lanes?
Yes, unless specifically excluded by signs.

that indicates to me that they have to specifically mention "no motorcycles" for them to be excluded.
"buses only" doesnt count.

Definately worth trying to get off the ticket... if you do, let us know and we can use it in the future.

[Ixion]

Hi Les

I'm really impressed. Does your quotation infer that you've been done too? :rofl:

Cheers

Geoff

Nope, I just looked it up when the law change came out. Nothing like being prepared. I've got a copy of the Rule printed out and stuck in my top box.

[Lou Girardin]

It seems like he's used the fine for riding in m/way buslanes. But that should be $500.
It doesn't sound like Plod knows what he's doing.
Dispute it and embarrass the idiot.

[ManDownUnder]

that indicates to me that they have to specifically mention "no motorcycles" for them to be excluded.
"buses only" doesnt count.

Definately worth trying to get off the ticket... if you do, let us know and we can use it in the future.

Too many bloody jurisdictions are involved here, Council, Police, and Transit.

Each are specific to aspects of bus lane useand they can contradict each other. A specific clarifiction I got from Transit confirms that "buses only" is a "specific" exclusion of a motorcylist.

I'd be willing to test that, but not at my own expense.

One rule needed - for ALL bus lanes. End of story

[The Stranger]

This is the way I see it too.

Would be real interested if any lawyers here want to comment on the chances of succeeding in using this as a defence?

[snuffles]

It was Pommy Git tax.

Fight the Power!!


I resemble that remark :motu:

[XP@]

Hey, you still havn't said where you got caught?

Were you doing anything else to attract the cop's attention (and large fine?)

[Velox]

That really pisses me off. I often use Wgtn bus lanes and keep thinking that perhaps I should carry around a copy of the new "law" in my pocket just in case. I think I'll print it off now!
But yeah - which bus lanes was it? I heard a bike was stopped on the Karori one a while back but they could've been speeding as well, I don't know.