Etiquette at ferry (Russell) - bikes to the head of the queue?

[longwayfromhome]

Thinking the Russell ferry this afternoon... been away in the US for a decade where the general rule is at ferries that bikes are allowed to go to the front of the queue (in fact they are loaded first, first off therefore).

What is the general rule here?... maybe there isn't because there are so few ferries. I seem to remember a few years ago on a visit that bikes filtered past while I sat in a car in the queue on the Russell side. Happy filtering traffic, its not that, its at the ferry itself.

Last ferry was the Unst-Yell-Lerwick ferry in Shetland... didn't have trouble with traffic there :-).

TIA.

[firefighter]

When I was up last year it was the norm.

[MIXONE]

Every ferry I've been on the bikes always load and unload first.

[spajohn]

The Interislander ferry puts bikes on first. The last time I was on the Waiheke ferry they put bikes on last. I've only taken a 4x4 onto the Russell ferry.

Probably not much help, but my point is that based on those I've not found there to be a standard that's followed.

[Usarka]

Ride to the front and ask. If they want you on last then wait.

[rwh]

I could imagine people getting annoyed if there wasn't enough room for everybody and they had to wait for the next trip ... don't know how often that happens though.

Richard

[hellokitty]

I could imagine people getting annoyed if there wasn't enough room for everybody and they had to wait for the next trip ... don't know how often that happens though.

Richard

It is such a quick crossing at Russell that I don't think it would be a problem

[george formby]

Three of the ladies on the Ferry have bikes so they will usually let bikes off first if your close to the ramp. If you are heading from Opua to Okiato (Russell side) their is very little space to filter to the front of the queue, Okiato side is better. If you are thinking of riding the Old Russell Road ( you should be ) I would ride it south to north & get the ferry from the Russell side. Their is nothing more frustrating than getting stuck behind traffic heading south on that road with very limited opportunity for overtaking.
The ferry only takes 10 minutes so either way it's not really a biggie.
Don't wheelie off the ramp before the ferry has docked, it's entertaining but frowned upon.
Watch out for oil & water on the deck, El Slipperryo. Last time I went over somebody opened a tin of Tuna & poured the oil out of their window right in front of me. C&*^s

If you want to gravel bashing ignore the ferry & head south to Kawakawa. Turn left at the one lane bridge. That is a fun twisty, gravel road which comes out onto the first few K's of the Old Russell road, about 10 or 15 minutes from Russell.

[firefighter]

I could imagine people getting annoyed if there wasn't enough room for everybody and they had to wait for the next trip ... don't know how often that happens though.

Richard

Nah they put them where cars can't go anyway

[longwayfromhome]

Thanks everyone. Simply rode to the head of the queue, they called me on first and made sure I was off first. Good stuff.

High tides causing minor flooding on the Kawakawa-Opua road, so just a tad more care out there today (Sunday).