Using of Busway - North Shore

**Farab** · 11th March 2010, 13:24

Just interested in seeing how many of you would like to use the busway (on your bikes of course). I can't see it being anymore dangerous than riding in full blown traffic.

When the busway was being built, I inquired about the use for bikes. I was then told it was being considered. The last reply I got a few months ago was that the council deemed it unsafe for bikes to use. I disagree.

This poll would be more geared towards those that actually commute during the peak hour times.

**Waxxa** · 11th March 2010, 13:32

its got to better and safer than lane splitting down the length of a motorway in peak traffic...

**vifferman** · 11th March 2010, 14:55

It may well be safer than lane-splitting, but I still don't think I'd use it if it were legal to do so. Buses are horrible things to have to sit behind on a bike - the fumes, spilt diesel, turbulent wake, and lack of forward visibility are all pretty sucky.

**breakaway** · 12th March 2010, 08:23

Originally Posted by Farab

I got a few months ago was that the council deemed it unsafe for bikes to use. I disagree.

Typical shortsighted bureaucrat thinking. Sharing a lane with one other enormous vehicle that's impossible to not see vs what motorists are doig now - splitting between cars that change lanes without indicating or looking.

**The Pastor** · 12th March 2010, 08:28

So you want to mix the smallest vehicles, the largest vehicles , high speed and pedestrians all together aye?

**Spearfish** · 12th March 2010, 09:20

Originally Posted by renegade master

So you want to mix the smallest vehicles, the largest vehicles , high speed and pedestrians all together aye?

All that's missing from your list is a video camera, Youtube account and a cartoon sound effects backing track.

**Farab** · 12th March 2010, 10:04

Originally Posted by renegade master

So you want to mix the smallest vehicles, the largest vehicles , high speed and pedestrians all together aye?

As a full licence holder you should be competent and comfortable with riding on any NZ road were there could be a plethora of any type and quantity of vehicles, including pedestrians, cyclists, and animals.
I struggle to understand what is so special and super dangerous about a piece of road that only allow busses on at the moment. If anything, it should (and is IMO) much safer as 90% of "other" traffic is not allowed on this road, including pedestrians.

We regularly ride on narrow 80 - 100km/h roads that have far more hazards than compared to the busway.

Pedestrians? Wasn't aware pedestrians were allowed on the busway, except when boarding at the stations. I can't think of any reason why any of us would want to pull off the main busway just to zoom past the platforms.

Also it wouldn't be compulsory to ride on the busway, you would be free to choose to fight your way through the usual peakhour "parking lot" on the motorway. I would like to have a choice.

**The Pastor** · 12th March 2010, 10:14

Originally Posted by farab

as a full licence holder you should be competent and comfortable with riding on any nz road were there could be a plethora of any type and quantity of vehicles, including pedestrians, cyclists, and animals.
I struggle to understand what is so special and super dangerous about a piece of road that only allow busses on at the moment. If anything, it should (and is imo) much safer as 90% of "other" traffic is not allowed on this road, including pedestrians.

We regularly ride on narrow 80 - 100km/h roads that have far more hazards than compared to the busway.

Pedestrians? Wasn't aware pedestrians were allowed on the busway, except when boarding at the stations. I can't think of any reason why any of us would want to pull off the main busway just to zoom past the platforms.

Also it wouldn't be compulsory to ride on the busway, you would be free to choose to fight your way through the usual peakhour "parking lot" on the motorway. I would like to have a choice.

you don't pull off the bus way to go to the station, they go right through it, going from an 80-100k zone to a 5k zone packed full of pedestrians, get a brain you muppet people cant even use passing lanes like they should be.

Think of it this way, why do bus drives have a fairly extensive training requirement before they are allowed to drive a bus?

You think cars have a massive blind spot? Try a bus.

What would be ok is after the akoranga/ takapuna station before the bridge - but its a short bit of road.

You can dream all you want but it will never happen, thankfully because people smarter than you are in charge.

**Farab** · 12th March 2010, 10:43

Originally Posted by renegade master

you don't pull off the bus way to go to the station, they go right through it, going from an 80-100k zone to a 5k zone packed full of pedestrians, get a brain you muppet people cant even use passing lanes like they should be.

Think of it this way, why do bus drives have a fairly extensive training requirement before they are allowed to drive a bus?

You think cars have a massive blind spot? Try a bus.

What would be ok is after the akoranga/ takapuna station before the bridge - but its a short bit of road.

You can dream all you want but it will never happen, thankfully because people smarter than you are in charge.

At least I mounted an argument or put forward my point of view without resorting to personal insults, no matter what I think of your opinion.

Whats so different from riding on the Dairy Flats in a 80 - 100km/h zone coming around a corner only to see a family walking next to the side of the road in front of you, or farmer Brown pulling out in front of you with his tractor, a few trucks in front of you and in the oncoming direction? If you can't handle that, then I can understand the way you feel about riding on the busway.

The bus stations work just like a railway station. There's never a reason for pedestrians to actually be on or crossing the busway (see pics).

**The Pastor** · 12th March 2010, 10:54

Originally Posted by farab

at least i mounted an argument or put forward my point of view without resorting to personal insults, no matter what i think of your opinion.

Whats so different from riding on the dairy flats in a 80 - 100km/h zone coming around a corner only to see a family walking next to the side of the road in front of you, or farmer brown pulling out in front of you with his tractor, a few trucks in front of you and in the oncoming direction? If you can't handle that, then i can understand the way you feel about riding on the busway.

The bus stations work just like a railway station. There's never a reason for pedestrians to actually be on or crossing the busway (see pics).

sigh, im not sure why im even bothering to explain this to you, but the difference is the frequency. Dairy flat (in ur example) was 1 family and 1 bike. No bus. Shared bus terminal with bikes - stacks of people, stacks of bikes, stacks of buses.

Shared lanes on the motorway - not tooo much of an issue, shared terminals - hell no.

A buss station dose not work at all like a rail station, buses can move any which way they want, pedestrians cross the traffic line directly and in general the bus stations have more people at them (except for britomart)

personally i would love to ride on the bus-way (and i have a few times) so don't question my riding confidence, because you (as is evident by your arguments), know jack shit about anything. Your lack of intelligence is also further shown by the fact that you own, and presumably ride a hornet 900.

**Farab** · 12th March 2010, 11:18

Originally Posted by renegade master

sigh, im not sure why im even bothering to explain this to you, but the difference is the frequency. Dairy flat (in ur example) was 1 family and 1 bike. No bus. Shared bus terminal with bikes - stacks of people, stacks of bikes, stacks of buses.

Shared lanes on the motorway - not tooo much of an issue, shared terminals - hell no.

A buss station dose not work at all like a rail station, buses can move any which way they want, pedestrians cross the traffic line directly and in general the bus stations have more people at them (except for britomart)

personally i would love to ride on the bus-way (and i have a few times) so don't question my riding confidence, because you (as is evident by your arguments), know jack shit about anything. Your lack of intelligence is also further shown by the fact that you own, and presumably ride a hornet 900.

We will have to agree to disagree. I enjoy a good natured, mature debate. This is not the case with you, as you have quite clearly resorted to personal insults and name calling from your first post onwards. You have not just insulted me, but quite a few Kiwibikers that ride and love Hornets. Good going.

**EJK** · 12th March 2010, 11:24

If the busway gets opened to bikers, it'll turn into a drag strip in no time.

My hypothesis...

**The Pastor** · 12th March 2010, 11:43

Originally Posted by farab

we will have to agree to disagree. I enjoy a good natured, mature debate. This is not the case with you, as you have quite clearly resorted to personal insults and name calling from your first post onwards. You have not just insulted me, but quite a few kiwibikers that ride and love hornets. Good going.

deal with it bitch

**Farab** · 12th March 2010, 11:49

Originally Posted by renegade master

deal with it bitch

Mature and intelligent response.

**Hiflyer** · 12th March 2010, 11:50

Originally Posted by renegade master

deal with it bitch

Firstly, LOL but you do have a point, I think It'd turn to bedlam with too many bikes trying to go around the bus and being hit, or hitting a pedestrian etc etc

Originally Posted by EJK

If the busway gets opened to bikers, it'll turn into a drag strip in no time.

My hypothesis...

this follows on from what I was saying above, I think that's what a lot of people are thinking, there will be excessive speeds from a few people that'll get hurt and ruin it for everybody.