Bus lanes?

[Tony Barclay]

Hi can somebody give me a run down on what the rules are regarding bikes using bus lanes. I heard you can use them as long as they don’t say buses only. And the bus lanes that have there own green light, if I can use the bus lane and the light goes green I can go right………

[slofox]

Hi can somebody give me a run down on what the rules are regarding bikes using bus lanes. I heard you can use them as long as they don’t say buses only. And the bus lanes that have there own green light, if I can use the bus lane and the light goes green I can go right………

As a general rule, if a lane's got buses in it, I aint there!!
Seriously, I dunno about the rules. Ask LTNZ or someone like that. Phone 'em up.

[aroberts]

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/Transport/buses/lanes.asp

You can use the bus lanes so long as ity doesn't say "Buses Only". Around Auckland you can ride in the bus lanes in the cities but not those on the motorway. Tranist are anti-motorcycle so they make sure there are "Buses Only" signs on all the motorway bus lanes.

[FiBee]

I had a check on the council websites a wee while back and you can ride in the suburban bus lanes, but not in the motorway bus lanes.

I'm not sure about the bus lane green light issue, but as a rule of thumb, if I'm at the front of the queue in the bus lane and I know the bus is going to get the green first, I pull in front of the car lane.... safe either way.

Anyways, google the bus lane rules just to be sure.... custard cops love it when we get it wrong! :Police:

[aroberts]

If you are in a bus lane you go with the bus lane's green light.

[Nordy]

Road code says if it says Bus Only its no motorbikes or bicycles. If it says Bus Lane its for motorbikes as well, doesnt specifiy motorways.

Basically says only lanes motorbikes arent allowed in is Bus Only Lanes. Even transit lanes are ok for Motorbikes.

The northwestern bus lanes only have Bus Lane signs. Didnt see any Bus Only the last time I went past (did only check out the ones after lincoln road, te atatu and patiki offramps. (and the majority of them will be covered by Waitakere City Council not Auckland City Council)

Being new to all this I could be wrong. But If the motorway bus lanes are out they should have Bus Only signs as that is what they are intended for. If they have Bus Lane they should be fine in theory...

[Swoop]

Here we go again.

Link 1 (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=51653&highlight=Bus+lanes)
Link 2 (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=50&highlight=Bus+lanes)

[Tony Barclay]

thank you for that.............now thay didnt hurt a bit did it

[alanzs]

Go faster than the bus... :doh:

[Biggles2000]

I believe a motorcycle can use a bus lane, this is from the LTSA web page:

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

The sign would have to say Bus lane no motorcycles. If it just says bus lane a bike can use it.

[Nasty]

I believe a motorcycle can use a bus lane, this is from the LTSA web page:

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

The sign would have to say Bus lane no motorcycles. If it just says bus lane a bike can use it.

The correct exclusion wording is Bus Lane Only ... if it says that it excludes everything except buses.

[ManDownUnder]

Simple rules to follow:
1) Anything Transit controlled can NOT be used by a bike
- buslanes on motorways
- intersections (go figure - but that's the law)
2) Any bus lanes within city limits are under the jurisdiction of the council involved.
- Auckland is bike friendly - i.e. you can ride in the bus lanes
- other cities I'm not sure about.

Follow this and you'll be ok.

[Nasty]

Wellington you can use the bus lane unless otherwise marked with Bus Only.

[Sanx]

The correct exclusion wording is Bus Lane Only ... if it says that it excludes everything except buses.

If, as I'm guessing, you meant the correct exclusion wording is "Buses Only" then that's not an exclusion at all; it's an inclusion.

The working of the Land Transport Act states that bicycles and motorcycles can use bus lanes unless specifically excluded. That means the sign must read "No motorcycles". "Buses only" is a specific inclusion of one type of vehicle, and therefore a blanket exclusion, and therefore is not required under the Land Transport Act.

Transit also say that their own by-laws exclude motorcycles, but there is another act that says where by-laws contradict national laws, the national law takes precedence.

I know this is nit-picking somewhat, but if Transit expect people to treat the law as gospel and not go over 100kph, then they can expect the same treatment back again when it doesn't suit them.

[Max Preload]

The correct exclusion wording is Bus Lane Only ... if it says that it excludes everything except buses.

I think it could be sucessfully argued in court that's not a specific exclusion - that's a general or implied exclusion. To be a specific exclusion it would have to list each class of vehicle entitled to use a bus lane, that was excluded from that particular lane.

Not that you'd catch me using a motorway bus lane or any other - it's much safer to lane split.

[Swoop]

Have a look as you turn onto the motorway onramp. Occasionally there will be a sign with a pedestrian in a circle, with a bar across it. This sign specifically excludes pedestrians from the motorway.
Unfortunately the signs for motorway bus lanes do not comply with the "specifically excluded" methodology as they are inclusive.

Buslanes are full of crap and unhealthy for your tyres anyway!

[peasea]

Hi can somebody give me a run down on what the rules are regarding bikes using bus lanes. I heard you can use them as long as they don’t say buses only. And the bus lanes that have there own green light, if I can use the bus lane and the light goes green I can go right………


Who cares about rules?

Just use the bus lanes as you see fit and if any cops hassle you just shoot the fucks. It's pretty simple.