Grid lock and bicycle lanes

[Petah]

Is it illegal to ride down a bicycle lane when traffic is grid locked?

On my normal commute to work traffic is grid locked from my driveway to the intersection (about 1200 meters). There is a bicycle lane with space for car parking the whole way. Near to the intersection it splits into 2 lanes, and the left lane is almost always empty. Is it illegal to ride down the left until it splits into 2 lanes?

[Subike]

I do it every day, albeit at a slow speed , about as fast as a push bike. I have passed police cars that have been in the traffic, and have not had them bother me. I will continue to do so untill spoken to and informed by a traffic enforcement office that it is wrong.

[FJRider]

It is for bicycles only ... anybody that uses it for motorised vehicular traffic use should be prepared for an infringement notice to that effect.

Should you (anybody) decide to ride in that "lane" ... good luck.

[arcane12]

It is for bicycles only ... anybody that uses it for motorised vehicular traffic use should be prepared for an infringement notice to that effect.

Should you (anybody) decide to ride in that "lane" ... good luck.

+1

A bicycle lane (and a centre median strip) can only be used for up to 50 metres when turning e.g.. a side road or parking space.

So an interesting point is that in theory a long line of cars in the bicycle lane waiting to turn are all breaking the law. I believe it is ignored in the interest of traffic flow? I guess a lesser of two evils?

[speights_bud]

As above, ride 50 metres, indicate left as though pulling over to park, change your mind, indicate right and repeat

[Ender EnZed]

Is it illegal to ride down a bicycle lane when traffic is grid locked?

Yes.

Do it anyway. If you do it right and don't fuck anyone off then you'll probably get away with doing it everyday.

[Tigadee]

Cyclists seem to mind, they tell you off when they catch up to you at the red light.

[FJRider]

Cyclists seem to mind, they tell you off when they catch up to you at the red light.

Then point to the camera they have attached to their helmet.

[st00ji]

Cyclists seem to mind, they tell you off when they catch up to you at the red light.

just pretend you have earphones in and ignore them.

[Berries]

Cyclists seem to mind, they tell you off when they catch up to you at the red light.

There's your problem.

Part 3 Traffic Signs and Signals

3.14.2(a)

Cyclists riding fully within a marked cycle lane installed by the road controlling authority are exempt from complying with red traffic signals and any other road rules they deem to be beneath them unless they are witnessed carrying out such behaviour by an enforcement officer.

[rastuscat]

It's an offence to ride any motorised vehicle in a Special Vehicle Lane i.e. cycle lane. $150 infringement.

Truth is, most cops do nothing about it.

Truth also is, a cycle lane is a bloody dangerous place to ride a bike of any sort. Traffic turning through from the other direction, or turning left without looking, knock bike riders off all day, every day in this country. Our office alone sees at least 5 such crashes each week.

[Scuba_Steve]

Is it illegal to ride down a bicycle lane when traffic is grid locked?

Not officially illegal, doesn't say we can use them but nor does it say we cannot. however if a PIG needs his quota KPI & decides you're it, the "unbiased" judge will always side with them regardless of actual law (at-least at lower levels) & I don't think this ones been challenged at higher levels to have a "actual" answer

It's an offence to ride any motorised vehicle in a Special Vehicle Lane i.e. cycle lane. $150 infringement.

Truth is, most cops do nothing about it.

Truth also is, a cycle lane is a bloody dangerous place to ride a bike of any sort. Traffic turning through from the other direction, or turning left without looking, knock bike riders off all day, every day in this country. Our office alone sees at least 5 such crashes each week.

Showing your ignorance of the law again Mr R.Cat, motorised bikes are most certainly allowed to used special vehicle lanes, remembering bus & transit lanes too are "special vehicle lanes" and unless we are specifically excluded we are entitled to utilise said lanes

But you're right it is dangerous & I wouldn't bother using cycle lanes due to the danger of cars & the possibility of of meeting deadly peadlys (unless you're happy idling along at their speed)

[Swoop]

I use one in particular, regularly. Gridlocked traffic due to a very poorly sequenced intersection means a slow journey up the cycle-lane. If I want to sit in traffic I will take the car...
Always be careful for those who intend to turn left across your path!

[Tigadee]

just pretend you have earphones in and ignore them.

Nah, I just show them my fake handicap sticker and then point at my sunglasses and pull out my white walking stick. I do that when I park at handicap spots too.

They suddeny become very courteous and obliging... Good people these cyclists...

[rastuscat]

Showing your ignorance of the law again Mr R.Cat, motorised bikes are most certainly allowed to used special vehicle lanes, remembering bus & transit lanes too are "special vehicle lanes" and unless we are specifically excluded we are entitled to utilise said lanes

But you're right it is dangerous & I wouldn't bother using cycle lanes due to the danger of cars & the possibility of of meeting deadly peadlys (unless you're happy idling along at their speed)

I rushed the message this morning coz I was heading out the door on the way to work. I left out a minor detail.

Power assisted pedal cycles can use cycle lanes legally. Anything from a moped and upward can't.

D719 Unauthorised use of special vehicle lane
Land Transport Act 1998, s.40 & Offences & Penalties Regs 1999, r4 & 2.3(1)(f) Road User Rule 2004
Maximum fine = $1,000, Maximum prison = 0, Minimum disqualification = 0, Notice type = N/T
SP1 Being the driver of a vehicle on a road used a special vehicle lane reserved for a specific class or classes of vehicle other than the one being driven.

Just to clarify, motorcycle and mopeds can't legally use cycle lanes.

Happy to go into a whole long winded debate Skoober, but it's pointless.