Motorway motorcycle lanes?

[Blue Thunder]

Did anyone else read the article in the Howick & Pakuranga Times (April 26).
A locall councillor and fellow biker has suggested that the shoulders of the motorway be converted to "GASP" Motorcyle lanes with a max limit of 65kph.
What sort of insanity is this, a public official who has come up with a sensible idea which, may even get more people on bikes (lower fuel consumtion) and save those of us who ride the motorways, the daily dodging of the lane changing non thinking thats my gap 4 wheeled motorist.
After all the shoulders on some parts of our motorway system, at least in Auckland, are currently used by buses during peak hour traffic flows. Does this happen in other major centres as well? Idon't know but maybe it shouls as Auckland is not the only city with clogged arteries.
I for one applaud the initiative of this forward thinking, rate payer elected official who is trying to gain some sort of improvement for our public roadways.
Lets hear your views on this!:rockon:

[slinky]

that would be great if something like that was put in place.
But i think we just have to live with the un-official motorbike lane of in-between those cars.

[SPman]

A 65kph limit on the motorway?
Feck off!

[Chisanga]

I think if they made Motorbike only lanes they would probably have to put a "1" in front of that speed limit.

[ceebie13]

A biker lane ... on a motorway... this has to be a laugh surely to god!
Id feel safer amongst the traffic. Suppose a cage, bus, lorry, whatever brakes down and occupies the hard shoulder/biker lane...what do we do then? I shudder at the thought. Sheer insanity. Come on...there's bugger all motorway in New Zealand to start with. And you don't have to go far to have the roads all to yourself. Who needs special lanes. OK, let us use bus lanes maybe but anything else is crazy IMHO.
As for clogged arteries...you don't know the meaning of the term over here. Try the M25 round London and all the motorways that feed it at rush hour on a Friday night! Rush hour in New Zealand is like a sleepy Sunday in the Cotswolds. It's bliss!

[The Pastor]

build more roads.

[mstriumph]

wat's wrong with that little white highway between the traffic?

[ManDownUnder]

wat's wrong with that little white highway between the traffic?

The hignorant bastards in cages keep crossing over it LOL!

Actually... I agree...

[Hitcher]

There's no guarantees that those bastard cagers could be kept out of a motorcycle-only lane. Are these lanes to be in addition to bus lanes?

[mstriumph]

seriously mr hitcher .... i think you have put your finger on the main danger

- if they WERE to establish motorcyle only lanes, how many innocent young newbies who haven't yet had cause to develop the paranoia of their elders might THINK THEY WERE SAFE in those lanes and suffer a terrible awakening when the inevitable happened?

*shudders*

[xwhatsit]

There's no guarantees that those bastard cagers could be kept out of a motorcycle-only lane. Are these lanes to be in addition to bus lanes?

No, it's just the existing emergency shoulders I think. So, the same thing as what they did to a few emergency shoulders up here in Auckland for buses. No idea if buses are allowed in them too.

[ManDownUnder]

If there was to be a dedicated lane I suggest it be the rightmost lane - rated at 100kph...

Lanes on the left suffer from traffic coming and going opver them (on ramps, off ramps etc). They suffer from people not looking and or breaking down into them (admittedly that happens in the righmost lane too but less so in my experience).

Cops and emergency vehicles would get priority in that lane (as they do now in other lanes before you lot jump up and down)... I don't have a problem with it but think a more likely outcome will be a high occupancy lane, useable by taxi's buses, cars withj 3+ occupants and bikes. I can't see councils or Transit sheloling out millions of dollars for motocycles only, and that combined use lane would be somewhat in line with existing policy of some councils (Auckland City for example) where bikes can already use bus lanes.

Don't get me wrong - I'd LOVE a bike only lane... I just can't see it happening and suggest the above is achievable with a couple of visionaries in coucil.

[xwhatsit]

If there was to be a dedicated lane I suggest it be the rightmost lane - rated at 100kph...

Lanes on the left suffer from traffic coming and going opver them (on ramps, off ramps etc). They suffer from people not looking and or breaking down into them (admittedly that happens in the righmost lane too but less so in my experience).

Cops and emergency vehicles would get priority in that lane (as they do now in other lanes before you lot jump up and down)... I don't have a problem with it but think a more likely outcome will be a high occupancy lane, useable by taxi's buses, cars withj 3+ occupants and bikes. I can't see councils or Transit sheloling out millions of dollars for motocycles only, and that combined use lane would be somewhat in line with existing policy of some councils (Auckland City for example) where bikes can already use bus lanes.

Don't get me wrong - I'd LOVE a bike only lane... I just can't see it happening and suggest the above is achievable with a couple of visionaries in coucil.

I don't think this is for high-speed stuff, as evidenced by the 65kph speed limit. This is for when the traffic is crawling or at a standstill and nearly all bikes start lane-splitting. Perhaps just a safer and more legal version of lane-splitting.

[Morcs]

Any designated motorcycle lane should not have a speed limit, or any rules infact :yes:

Ive always said that the section down the middle of the motorway should be made for bikes.

[SPman]

Any designated motorcycle lane should not have a speed limit, or any rules infact :yes:

Ive always said that the section down the middle of the motorway should be made for bikes.
Don't be silly - how we gonna balance on top of that little bit of concrete????

[Morcs]

Don't be silly - how we gonna balance on top of that little bit of concrete????

With the front wheel high in the air :yes:

[Grahameeboy]

Hey think about it guys....the system would work okay during peak traffic times and how often do you get a lot faster than 65kph during these times so maybe it is not as daft as it sounds..just needs a bit or thought as how and where......

[The_Dover]

during peak traffic times and how often do you get a lot faster than 65kph during these times......

every morning and every night.

[Grahameeboy]

every morning and every night.

So don't go in the lane then............

[The_Dover]

There are no lanes you moron.

Queer, child loving, tee total, animal raping hippies will never allow them

[Grahameeboy]

There are no lanes you moron.

Queer, child loving, tee total, animal raping hippies will never allow them

On the motorway I am talking about..............

[rainman]

A locall councillor and fellow biker has suggested that the shoulders of the motorway be converted to "GASP" Motorcyle lanes with a max limit of 65kph.

Who is this person and how can we best encourage him and his good ideas?

65'd be fine for me, I don't lane split much over 40 anyway. Less if it's raining.

[westie]

Great Idea! However I think if a lane was created in the centre of the motorway(far right) this would solve the problem of getting wiped out by a vehicle using an off ramp. Wouldn't that be nice. Our own strip of motorway with no cars etc trying to kill us. More bikes More bikes more bikes!!!!

[Drum]

I don't think motorcyclists need or deserve our own lane.
I'd rather see continuous motorway bus lanes to encourage more drivers onto buses.

Also the left hand side of the road is where all the nails and shit congregate. I don't wanna ride there!

[Drum]

Great Idea! However I think if a lane was created in the centre of the motorway(far right) ...........

I don't wanna ride in a narrow lane next to that concrete wall either! You've seen all the black marks on them eh! Thats bumper rubber!

[oldrider]

I don't think this is for high-speed stuff, as evidenced by the 65kph speed limit. This is for when the traffic is crawling or at a standstill and nearly all bikes start lane-splitting. Perhaps just a safer and more legal version of lane-splitting.

And when everything else is winging along at 100kph in light traffic bikes will be restricted to their owns lane and the 65kph speed limit...yeah right!

That's one way of capturing bike riders and controlling them! :shutup: John.

[YLWDUC]

I don't think motorcyclists need or deserve our own lane. I'd rather see continuous motorway bus lanes to encourage more drivers onto buses. Also the left hand side of the road is where all the nails and shit congregate. I don't wanna ride there!

Well said all up. If there was a priority lane on the North western and the Southern, much like the Northern, then the clever car-poolers could share with us and the buses. And if even that lane fills up, then we can always split.

Come to think of it, why not add lane splitting into the road code in pure black and white, something like "Motorcycles and Moped may overtake vehicles on the left, providing a speed limit of 50 km/hr is observed"

[xwhatsit]

And when everything else is winging along at 100kph in light traffic bikes will be restricted to their owns lane and the 65kph speed limit...yeah right!

That's one way of capturing bike riders and controlling them! :shutup: John.

Don't be so facetious!

[Blue Thunder]

The article suggests utilising existing shoulders not the creation of a brand new lane, yes the same lane as used by the buses!

[Blue Thunder]

Bluethunder rides a C90 Boulavard, do you think he can ride between cars on that beast? That little white highway is for us skinny types.

Wondering how long it would take before you or Donor made reference to the width of my rear end:Playnice: Just for the record I can in fact get through on the skinny white highway but need to pick my gaps carefully!:done:

[EJT]

I see the same problem that occurs in bicyle lanes (the few there are) - the motorbike lane will become so full of crap and debris no one will use it unless they feel like puncture fixing practice

[elle-f]

I think if they made Motorbike only lanes they would probably have to put a "1" in front of that speed limit.

:laugh: i totally agree!

[mikey62]

The outside lanes on their freeways are high occupancy (which include motorcyclists) lanes and traffic moves along in those lanes quite well. LA has the same pre-occupation with cars Aucklanders do, just with a few million more ppl. My brother rides the 50 miles to and from work each day and thinks its great. They have cameras stationed along the freeway and anyone breaking the rules gets fined. The outside lanes also have yellow lines so you can't just move in and out of them, once your in there you have to wait until a break in the lines. These are usually a mile or so before the next off-ramp so you have time to move over. Ref to previous thread, they also have lights leading on to their freeways. Have done for years and everyone just gets on with it.

[Kflasher]

Did anyone else read the article in the Howick & Pakuranga Times (April 26).
A locall councillor and fellow biker has suggested that the shoulders of the motorway be converted to "GASP" Motorcyle lanes with a max limit of 65kph.

Lets hear your views on this!:rockon:

Hey I would support this, do you have this chaps details so we may be able to contact him to encourage and support his forward thinking.
As motorcyclists I think we should jump on anyone that takes us into consideration like this, if he believes he is able to table this idea without being ridiculed he may have more up his sleeve, this may be only a test bed for his other ideas… my 2 cents.

[Squeak the Rat]

65 makes sense. You don't want people doing 100kph next to three lanes of traffic travelling at 20kph.

But as Dover said, it aint going to happen. Some one will put a zero tolerance bill before parliament about not being allowed to smack your monkey while having a drink - and all those without kids will say yay! and all those who don't drink will say yay we're better than you, and then the bit about the bikes will come up, and then how can't we start up a buildozer for four hours think of the trees and the children.

[Donor]

Wondering how long it would take before you or Donor made reference to the width of my rear end

It had to be Speedie... he's higher qualified then me... :dodge:

[Blue Thunder]

and its his birthday today so he thinks he can get away with it!!!!!!!!

[Ixion]

Hey I would support this, do you have this chaps details so we may be able to contact him to encourage and support his forward thinking.
As motorcyclists I think we should jump on anyone that takes us into consideration like this, if he believes he is able to table this idea without being ridiculed he may have more up his sleeve, this may be only a test bed for his other ideas… my 2 cents.

That is a good idea. If he receives endorsement and encouragement he may push harder. and most of course will not have access to the Howick and pakaranga Times.

BTW, someone should point him at KB.

[Street Gerbil]

...Motorcyle lanes with a max limit of 65kph.

I am sure you missed the one in front. Now 165kph would have been a lot more sensible.

[Blue Thunder]

That is a good idea. If he receives endorsement and encouragement he may push harder. and most of course will not have access to the Howick and pakaranga Times.

BTW, someone should point him at KB.

I have emailed the City Councillor quoted in the article and suggested he log onto KB.

[WRT]

I think its a good idea with a lot of merit. Sod off all you nay-sayers, go spoil someone elses party.

I would prefer to have the lane on the right, not the left, but I do agree with the concept of a "High Occupancy" lane (which bikes can use) with a speed limit of 65kph. Or even 50kph if they like - that's still faster than I'll lane split anyways so I still win.

It doesnt really matter if the HO lane has to be on the left (on the existing hard shoulder) as bikes have an easy enough time nipping through the traffic anyway. However, I do think there should be some sort of logic applied to it all:


For all HO vehicles, bikes, HO cars, buses, etc, and emergency vehicles
Sensible speed limit applied so that the only times it comes useful is in heavy traffic
Once the traffic on the motorway starts going faster than whatever the HO speed limit is, then just merge back into the main flow of traffic
The lanes are swept on a regular basis
The rules are enforced to ensure only permitted vehicles use it


I personally see this as being safer than lane splitting. Especially for learners. Just this morning on my way into work, I was filtering between the middle and right lanes. I saw a gap in the middle lane in front of me, and a van in the right hand lane put his indicator on to move into it. I could see him watching me, so I slowed down and waved him over. Just as I did this, a guy following me on a GN250 overtook me on the left (through the gap in the middle lane) and cut the van off. I'm assuming that because I was in front of him, he never saw the van's indicator. If the van driver hadn't been paying attention (he was more aware of the situation than I was, I'm a little ashamed to say), the GN rider would have been squashed.

I firmly believe that a full width lane dedicated to bikes and HO vehicles has much better visibility and far fewer hazards than the "little white highway".

Bring it on I say.

[Blue Thunder]

Hey I would support this, do you have this chaps details so we may be able to contact him to encourage and support his forward thinking.
As motorcyclists I think we should jump on anyone that takes us into consideration like this, if he believes he is able to table this idea without being ridiculed he may have more up his sleeve, this may be only a test bed for his other ideas… my 2 cents.


Hi Kflasher. neil.morrison@manukau.govt.nz

[Kflasher]

Hi Kflasher. neil.morrison@manukau.govt.nz

Cheers dude, try to keep this thread alive or repost as to spread the word. Mr Morrison has opened the can of worms, he has also uncovered a voting population that is untapped by others (just keep this in mind).

[Ixion]

Here is the text of the article referred to



• Howick and Pakuranga Times

BIKER Neil Morrison wants Auckland highway shoulder areas dedicated to motorcyclists.

The Pakuranga city councillor says they’re a highly valued, unused multi-million dollar resource adjoining the region’s constantly clogged motorway network.

He suggests the motorway shoulders could be converted to motorcycle lanes.

They’d have 65kph maximum speed zones and a pilot model could be trialled for a year, “from Manukau up to the left side of the motorway to Auckland”.

“This proposal would be significantly safer than what motorcyclists are confronted with each day on Auckland motorways,” says Mr Morrison.

“Two wheelers are forced to mingle with cars and trucks on the main carriageways using a high degree of fluidity and dexterity to avoid contact with other vehicles.

“Motorcycle riders have a natural tendency to keep moving to avoid having to stabilise the motorcycle with one’s legs in stationary mode.”

Mr Morrison says he has information from highway transport officials that the shoulders are available to cars for parking if they’ve broken down.

“With the same dexterity, motorcyclists would easily manoeuvre around the seldom parked vehicles.

“Likewise when confronted with an onramp the motorcyclists would merge into the lane to their right and once past the onramp, re enter the two metre shoulder lane.”

Economic factors such as rising fuel costs and gridlock-caused delays have led to a trebling of motorbike and scooter sales in the past three years.

“Here’s an opportunity to show motorcyclists that they’re considered and to encourage more people out of cars.”

Mr Morrison’s proposal comes as the public consultation period opens for $1.5 billion worth of projects in the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) (Times, April 5, 2, March 19, 15).

Four new lanes and a duplication of the Waipuna Bridge on the South-east Highway, at a cost of $143 million, are on the suggested AMETI building programme.

If planners and motorists believe Mr Morrison’s idea has merit, it’s an appropriate time to be considered, as the next stage of AMETI is to finalise the projects utilising public feedbac

[ManDownUnder]

I think its a good idea with a lot of merit. Sod off all you nay-sayers, go spoil someone elses party.

...snip...

I firmly believe that a full width lane dedicated to bikes and HO vehicles has much better visibility and far fewer hazards than the "little white highway".

Bring it on I say.

I'm one of the maybes - and took that position because I'm always wary of anything designed by a committee - or council. I can see it now (left hand lane, stops and starts every time there's an on or off ramp, 65kph max etc). They would consider their duties discharged, the idea a good one and a shoddy solution in place (which then needs to be undone at some expense, then corrected at even MORE expense).

That being said - yes... right hand lane and everything that's been said in support of a high occupancy lane per the LA example. Good idea.

[WRT]

I'm one of the maybes - and took that position because I'm always wary of anything designed by a committee - or council. I can see it now (left hand lane, stops and starts every time there's an on or off ramp, 65kph max etc). They would consider their duties discharged, the idea a good one and a shoddy solution in place (which then needs to be undone at some expense, then cortrewcted at even MORE expense).

That being said - yes... right hand lane and everything that's been said in support of a high occupancy lane per the LA example. Good idea.

I see your point, and as I mentioned in my post it needs to be done with some logic, however once you get the foot in the door it can only open wider.

For example, look at the new bus carriage ways on the Northern - imagine if bikes were allowed to use them as well - that gets you away from the main flow of traffic (and the resulting idiots), away from the on ramps, and into a smooth flow of traffic. Get the buses on board with the idea of using the hard shoulder and the powers that be might extend the concept of the northern bus ways onto the other motorways.

Allowing bikes into the suburban bus lanes got the ball rolling. All of a sudden bikes are seen in a different light, not just lumped in with the tin tops. Next came the priority lanes at ramp signals. Now we have a chance at extending those bus lanes and priority lanes on to the motorways. Gradually we are "joining the dots" so that bikes can have priority where ever they go.

It's the way of the future, people. Embrace it.

Viva la revolution!

[Squeak the Rat]

So what if its a 65kph max. If traffics flowing at 90kph move into the normal lanes.

Still can't see it happening, but i can't enjoy complaining if i haven't tried to do something about it. Email to Mr Morrison is on it's way.

[ceebie13]

So do you really want to ride down the hard shoulder avoiding glass splinters from smashed windscreens, chunks of shredded truck tyres, dead possums, any other muck and debris, stationery broken down vehicles, fast moving emergency vehicles coming at you from behind, vehicles that suddenly vere onto the hard shoulder for their own emergency purposes...not to mention that after all that you have to re-join the main carriageway when you come to an off or on-ramp? Bloody daft idea in my op.

No thanks.

[WRT]

Just sent my email to Mr Morrison too.

[Macktheknife]

The idea has merit and I would like to see it happen in a well thought out fashion with some support to ensure it is done well. Roadsweepers etc.
Give the guy a break people, the first time someone has come out in print and said this who might actually have a chance of making it happen, he needs our support.

[Ixion]

So do you really want to ride down the hard shoulder avoiding glass splinters from smashed windscreens, chunks of shredded truck tyres, dead possums, any other muck and debris, stationery broken down vehicles, fast moving emergency vehicles coming at you from behind, vehicles that suddenly vere onto the hard shoulder for their own emergency purposes...not to mention that after all that you have to re-join the main carriageway when you come to an off or on-ramp? Bloody daft idea in my op.

No thanks.

Sounds pretty standard stuff to me.

[ceebie13]

Sounds pretty standard stuff to me.

Indeed it does, Ix... indeed it does :-)

[mikey62]

So do you really want to ride down the hard shoulder avoiding glass splinters from smashed windscreens, chunks of shredded truck tyres, dead possums, any other muck and debris, stationery broken down vehicles, fast moving emergency vehicles coming at you from behind, vehicles that suddenly vere onto the hard shoulder for their own emergency purposes...not to mention that after all that you have to re-join the main carriageway when you come to an off or on-ramp? Bloody daft idea in my op.

No thanks.

So who puts the glass, shredded tyres etc etc etc in the emergency lane. Do ppl come out at 3am and scatter the stuff around ? Simply tell the ppl doing this to either move it off the emergency area or take it away. And as for dead possums...... aren't they all collected and made into fashion garments ?

[thehovel]

I have been filtering for more years and Kms than I like to think about. The transit lane made available to bikes is a good idea and 65kms is fair :sunny: . Once the cages get below 60km the lane change 1, it is not worth the effort or 2, the process si so slow that it is not a problem. If you have a loud bike a lot of the cages move over to let bikes through because they are aware that a bike is close. ( always acknowledge good driving) Also there is other unused bits of tarseal between the median barrier and the edge of the motorway. I am thinking of the unused lane next to the barrier from Mt Wellington to Penrose (it narrows a bit at the end) Regards Richard:rockon:

[Black Bandit]

Don't see any need for it on motorways. And with a top speed of 65 km/h - I'd never use the lane.

Besides, why take all that fun out of splitting through traffic and pissing cagers off.

The only thing it would encourage is for scooters to flood the motorway system. *shudder* Then you'd just get snarled up with thousands of step throughs in bumper-to-bumper traffic and not be able to make progress anyway.:spudwhat:

Course the next "logical" legislation will ban lane-splitting, limit top speeds of motorcycles, and compulsory flourescent vests for everyone, after all ... you have your own lane now don't cha?:shutup: It's a malicious plot to control these hooligan bikers I tell ya!:innocent:

[Donor]

Of course, a lane for bikers with a speed limit of 65 would mean no excuses for not wearing an L plate on the motorway... :dodge:

[Forest]

build more roads.

Building more roads actually increases traffic congestion. Strange but true.

[Blue Thunder]

Of course, a lane for bikers with a speed limit of 65 would mean no excuses for not wearing an L plate on the motorway... :dodge:

And you lose your when????????????????????:bye:

[WRT]

Anyone got an update on this? I had a reply back from the fulla saying thanks for the support and he'd keep in touch. Just wondering if there is anything happening or if it is all going to fall by the way side.