are motor cyclists alowed in buss lanes

[Da Bird]

On a strict technicality I think Mr jantar is right, because the motorway "buslanes" are not really buslanes. They are emergency stopping shoulders, and Transit, by a special agreement allow buses (and only) buses to drive on them. This is how they get round the new rule . Bastiges

But as the net result is still that you'll get a ticket for riding on them, it's a bit academic.

Yip, exactly... you'll either get a ticket for riding in a bus lane or failing to ride entirely in your own lane, or riding in an unavailable lane, so either way you will lose.

[Jantar]

Yip, exactly... you'll either get a ticket for riding in a bus lane or failing to ride entirely in your own lane, or riding in an unavailable lane, so either way you will lose.

This is very interesting. According to the new traffic regulations, if the motorway lane is designated as a bus lane then motorcyles are permitted unless there is a sign specifically stating that the lane is not available to motorcycles. However if it a safety shoulder, or an emergency stopping shoulder, then you are right and motorcycles are not permitted. BUT neither are busses.

I can find no law that allows Transit to come to a private arrangement with bus companies, other than to designate a lane as a bus lane. Therefore, I trust that every bus driver is getting a ticket for driving in an unavailable lane, or that the cops will use common sense and allow motorcyclists the rights that the new regs give them.

I would love to get a ticket for riding in a bus lane on a motorway. I'd fight it all the way to the supreme court and enjoy every minute of it.

[crazylittleshit]

hell yea One of many great things about owning a bike

[Ixion]

This is very interesting. According to the new traffic regulations, if the motorway lane is designated as a bus lane then motorcyles are permitted unless there is a sign specifically stating that the lane is not available to motorcycles. However if it a safety shoulder, or an emergency stopping shoulder, then you are right and motorcycles are not permitted. BUT neither are busses.

I can find no law that allows Transit to come to a private arrangement with bus companies, other than to designate a lane as a bus lane. Therefore, I trust that every bus driver is getting a ticket for driving in an unavailable lane, or that the cops will use common sense and allow motorcyclists the rights that the new regs give them.

I would love to get a ticket for riding in a bus lane on a motorway. I'd fight it all the way to the supreme court and enjoy every minute of it.

Yes, the law is at best "vague". Tis an interesting point whether Transit actually have the right to allow buses to use the emergency shoulder. However, as bikes do not (and buses using them doesn't give us any rights), we will still get tickets for using them. And saying "but buses are using them" isn't much of a defence in court (two wrongs don't make a right). And as no cop is likely to ticket a bus, we won't see that point tested.

Any volunteers for martyrdom, fall in to the right.

[Lou Girardin]

If you're booked for a non-existant offence, you do have remedies. Regardless of the cops personality. If they persist with a prosecution you will have a good laugh. (so will the court)
Also, I don't see the relevance of a bus drivers rear vision. If you drive into the rear of a bus, you're a dick and a guilty one at that. If you're in front of the bus, then the driver has no excuse for not seeing you.

[Big Dave]

Yip, exactly... you'll either get a ticket for riding in a bus lane or failing to ride entirely in your own lane, or riding in an unavailable lane, so either way you will lose.

Do those offences carry demerit points?

[Jabez]

On a strict technicality I think Mr jantar is right, because the motorway "buslanes" are not really buslanes. They are emergency stopping shoulders, and Transit, by a special agreement allow buses (and only) buses to drive on them. This is how they get round the new rule . Bastiges

But as the net result is still that you'll get a ticket for riding on them, it's a bit academic.

If they are just "emergency stopping shoulders" then why is the Auckland NW motorway "emergency stopping shoulders" closed between Point Chev & Rosebank Rd, to create Bus lanes?

Wouldn't afew signs & road paint be all thats required??

[Lou Girardin]

Why do buses use "emergency stopping shoulders" right through the morning (11.00AM is the latest I've seen) with impunity.
Discretion?

[XP@]

Yup it has been covered, but if you ask LTSA then they will tell you that
"BUS ONLY" actually means "Busses only, Motorcycles and Bicycles EXCLUDED"

I would love to see them make it stick in court though... because as we all know the law does state "Specifically excluded"

The Road User Rule defines a bus lane as:

"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)."

A Bus Lane sign is in the form of a symbol of a bus above the word LANE. When the lane is available only for buses, the sign takes the form of a symbol of a bus with the word ONLY. Similarly the road marking used is BUS LANE or BUS ONLY respectively. These signs and markings are defined in the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004. While it might be argued a bus lane from which cycles and motorcycles have been excluded might be more explicitly stated (eg. BUS LANE, CYCLES AND MOTORCYCLES EXCLUDED), the need to keep signs as simple yet as clear as they can be made. It is considered that the BUS ONLY message provides both the simplicity and clarity required.

The use of the lanes are defined by road controlling authority bylaws and this may include the time they apply and the classes of vehicles to which they apply. The authority in this instance is the appropriate local District/City Council, I would suggest contacting them if further clarification is required. For your convenience, I have attached a link to a website that provides links to some of the larger City Councils in New Zealand.
www.bigcities.govt.nz/

For your information, I have also attached a link from the Land Transport New Zealand website to Questions and Answers relating to the use of special vehicle lanes.
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roa...s.html#special

I hope this clarifies the situation for you.

[Jabez]

Yup it has been covered, but if you ask LTSA then they will tell you that
"BUS ONLY" actually means "Busses only, Motorcycles and Bicycles EXCLUDED"

I would love to see them make it stick in court though... because as we all know the law does state "Specifically excluded"

I Agree with XP@ any good lawyer would get you off on this technicality

[Skyryder]

Also, I don't see the relevance of a bus drivers rear vision. If you drive into the rear of a bus, you're a dick and a guilty one at that. If you're in front of the bus, then the driver has no excuse for not seeing you.

Yes "if you drive into the rear of bus, but I have simply lost count of how many times a bike both pedal and motor will come up behind a bus (out of sight of the side mirror and zoom up on the outside and pass. And this with indicators on.

And I wont mention the importance or rear vision whern merging into traffic driving a bus.


In my experiance of bus accidents the majority of the impacts are to the side of the bus. It's the head ons' that make the news

I have very little time for LTNZ but on this one they have got it right.

Skyryder

[DingDong]

simple answer... NO or they would call them bus and sometimes motorcycle lanes

[Lou Girardin]

Yes "if you drive into the rear of bus, but I have simply lost count of how many times a bike both pedal and motor will come up behind a bus (out of sight of the side mirror and zoom up on the outside and pass. And this with indicators on.

And I wont mention the importance or rear vision whern merging into traffic driving a bus.


In my experiance of bus accidents the majority of the impacts are to the side of the bus. It's the head ons' that make the news

I have very little time for LTNZ but on this one they have got it right.

Skyryder

If you pull out while being overtaken, you are at fault. Unless there is now an absolute right of way for buses.
If, as you say, most impacts are to the side of the bus. there seems to be a problem with driver training and/or attitude.

[avgas]

As an ex bus driver I don't use them no matter what the law says. Buses have very a poor rear vision angle (about 3 degrees) at best and that's with good visibility. Their priority is passanger safety....................period.


Skyryder

good on ya for pointing this out - cos i gained my titanium enhancements thanks to the motorway rule change. Moral of the story, be an asshole on a bike (weave in traffic etc) so people see you, if you ride like a grandma in the bus lanes, you get joint replacement like her.

[avgas]

If you pull out while being overtaken, you are at fault. Unless there is now an absolute right of way for buses.
If, as you say, most impacts are to the side of the bus. there seems to be a problem with driver training and/or attitude.

My right tibia thanks you for this comment. as its true