Cycle Lane Enforcement

[Moi]

I noticed the EV a couple of weeks back on Manukau Road.

Lots of taxis now as they are EV too in many cases.

Two days last week Mr Council was there taking photos, good earner at $150 a time, I do get a schadenfreude hit seeing cars

getting pinged.

+1 on cars getting pinged for misuse of bus lanes...

Guess they don't have to know the rules to get a taxi licence... hybrids that don't plug-in are not EVs, plus Manukau Rd is not part of the EV trial underway on Transit Lanes that access motorways...

Been interesting doing a wee bit of research today about who may use various "special vehicle lanes" in the Auckland Council area.

[Swoop]

I'll add BMW to the signs.

How's Bob Marley & the Wailers gonna help?

Is it part of this trial?

... hybrids that don't plug-in are not EVs...

Yes. It's interesting to note that the prius does not even meet china's standards for environmentally friendly vehicles. The amount of fucking taxi drivers using the pieces of crap, is just staggering.
Hopefully they will get fined for using the "EV" lanes...

[Ocean1]

So far all I've heard is that every cyclist holds up traffic for 17 kilometres even when riding on their own.

Tasmania decided to make law that recommended 1.5M separation a wee while ago.

On the day they decided to enforce it Hobart literally ground to a standstill.

[AllanB]

The amount of fucking taxi drivers using the pieces of crap, is just staggering.

I remember decades back (like 40 years) when taxi drivers were respected masters of the road.

Now the fuckers are lucky to know where they are going or how to drive .........

I have more respect for bus drivers. I stop for buses indicating to pull out. No need to accelerate past them

[FJRider]

You are my hero. Couldn't have said it better.

Especially ... if he's been dissing the highway patrol ... Which he has been known to do ...

[FJRider]

Lol,

if a group or dare I say it a culture continuously get seen or are caught to be doing something that is unacceptable by the majority of citizens, then they will develop an intolerance.

Who's up for a bit of lane splitting then ... ???

More like ... if the idea is good, but you can't copy them ... it must be wrong.

[awayatc]

Especially ... if he's been dissing the highway patrol ... Which he has been known to do ...

you are the bestedest teacher's pet.....

you may carry his bag

[rastuscat]

This has raised some interesting comments.

[nzspokes]

I'm looking forward to hearing some balance on here.

So far all I've heard is that every cyclist holds up traffic for 17 kilometres even when riding on their own.

And every cyclist rides through at least 5 red lights every time they ride out their gate. Even in towns with no traffic lights.

We have a lot of similar risks on the road (SMIDSY). I'm not sure hating helps.

From my side as somebody that works in the bicycle trade, cars are fucked and a thing of the past. Its just such a stupid system that everybody has to use a car to get to city areas everyday. With one person in it. Dumb.

EBike sales are through the roof. I ride the 25ks to work on mine and dont need a shower when I get there. Cycleways most of the way and more being made. Im seeing more and more Ebikes being used for commuting. They wont be the only answer but one of many.

[Ocean1]

From my side as somebody that works in the bicycle trade, cars are fucked and a thing of the past. Its just such a stupid system that everybody has to use a car to get to city areas everyday. With one person in it. Dumb.

EBike sales are through the roof. I ride the 25ks to work on mine and dont need a shower when I get there. Cycleways most of the way and more being made. Im seeing more and more Ebikes being used for commuting. They wont be the only answer but one of many.

All true, and I love the fact that ebikes are taking cars off the roads.

But cars and bikes didn't mix all that well when I were a nipper and traffic was a tiny percentage of what it is now, and that's only got dramatically worse over the years.

So if the sanctimonious green narrative alone isn't enough to dislike the trend then the cheap arsed attempt at making provision for bikes alongside much faster and heavier traffic is certainly cause for ongoing drama.

I'd not mind my tax money going towards dedicated separate cycleways along major commute routes, (trim the working for other peoples families budget a tad), just stop pretending there's any safe way to muscle proper traffic out the way to make room for bikes.

[Moi]

... I'd not mind my tax money going towards dedicated separate cycleways along major commute routes, (trim the working for other peoples families budget a tad), just stop pretending there's any safe way to muscle proper traffic out the way to make room for bikes.

Along with cycleways, efficient public transport is also required...

[Ocean1]

Along with cycleways, efficient public transport is also required...

Cycleways are public transport for poor people. But I assume you mean proper, self funding, self motorised variety. In which case I agree, and if you could just pay for the actual infrastructure without incurring the associated parasitic bureaucratic costs then reassigning the "working for other people's families" budget would probably cover most of that also.

[FJRider]

Along with cycleways, efficient public transport is also required...

To be efficient ... more people need to be using it. To get more people using it ... it must be seen as a practical, convenient and economical means of a transport alternative by the majority of the population it was designed/intended for.
The "Kiwi Mentality" is to commute in your own vehicle .... for your own convenience ... regardless of cost (and hassle involved).
Until public perception of public transport changes in this regard ... "Public" transport will ALWAYS be seen as the "POOR" peoples transport.

Cycleways are public transport for poor people. But I assume you mean proper, self funding, self motorised variety. In which case I agree, and if you could just pay for the actual infrastructure without incurring the associated parasitic bureaucratic costs then reassigning the "working for other people's families" budget would probably cover most of that also.

The age of those in management levels are dropping each year. Staying fitter and healthier with increased/larger salaries of the upper echelon commuters ... cycling to work is no longer the sole necessity of the poor. Gym membership is increasing in number (and cost) throughout the country. You can buy dam good (fuel efficient) cars for the same price (or more) as the majority of bicycles available nowadays.

As an aside ... I lived in Singapore for two years ... it is one of the few countries that have a public transport system that's dirt cheap to use (Bus and Subway) that actually makes a profit. In a city/country with a population of around 4 million. [This in a country that bans the import of chewing gum, long hair (on males) is frowned on, and you can be fined for spitting on the footpath. And failing to stop for Police can mean getting you tires shot out.]



BUT ... Until the PUBLIC perception of PUBLIC transport (in all it's forms) changes ... nothing will change.

[FJRider]

All true, and I love the fact that ebikes are taking cars off the roads.

They are a new tourist industry in many parts of the country. Seen as a "Mobility scooter" for the less than fit younger (than elderly) generations ... and the lazy image conscious ones ... being seen to be cycling ... but not.

[Swoop]

Now the fuckers are lucky to know where they are going...

They do! Straight to the "fast" lane, where they will be doing 75kmh...

Cycleways are public transport for poor people.

Not exactly true.
You would find a good mix of the community using pedal power.