Challenge to Transit re mway bus lanes...

**Jantar** · 20th June 2006, 11:01

Originally Posted by twinkle

really? no way...

we should get vocal about this now while they are still making it.

I guess that would be BRONZ?

Bronz has how many members? And kiwibiker has how many members?

I'm sure we could make a case for kiwibiker to make submissions.

**XP@** · 20th June 2006, 11:11

Originally Posted by Magua

Not being allowed to use the emergency lane busways is annoying, but what gets me is that we wont be allowed on the new northern busway, though I understand cars with a certain number of passengers will be able to?

If it is a "T2" lane then if it's like the one in Mana then bikes are allowed to use it. Not that is makes much difference because the general improvement is so much that the "rush hour" is moving around the speed limit.

**Magua** · 20th June 2006, 11:15

Time will tell.

http://www.busway.co.nz/introduction.html

Mentions HOVs but says nothing about bikes.

**twinkle** · 20th June 2006, 11:18

turn kiwibiker into a political movement

we've already got a voting system and political discussions, just need the movement

**Devil** · 20th June 2006, 11:23

Just sent the busway people an email about motorcycles, so we'll see what happens.

**The Pastor** · 20th June 2006, 11:26

You bunch on winey women, Instead of bitching about it, why not get as many people you can get and stage a protest - group ride DOWN the bus lanes. Make sure you tell all the news stations and get EVERYONE to take notice, It will be on the news for sure as they stugle to find anything decnent.

Whos with me.

**Swoop** · 20th June 2006, 11:38

Originally Posted by Magua

Not being allowed to use the emergency lane busways is annoying, but what gets me is that we wont be allowed on the new northern busway, though I understand cars with a certain number of passengers will be able to?

Well that will make it really enforceable. Cagers start seeing other cages driving along and they will join them.

**Swoop** · 20th June 2006, 11:41

Originally Posted by renegade master

You bunch on winey women, Instead of bitching about it, why not get as many people you can get and stage a protest - group ride DOWN the bus lanes. Make sure you tell all the news stations and get EVERYONE to take notice, It will be on the news for sure as they stugle to find anything decnent.

Whos with me.

Count me in.
Will need about 50-100 bikes to make an impression to the media.

**Swoop** · 20th June 2006, 11:45

Originally Posted by Magua

Time will tell.

http://www.busway.co.nz/introduction.html

Mentions HOVs but says nothing about bikes.

"A High Occupancy Vehicle is a car, van or any other vehicle with two or more people in it. The level at which a vehicle is an HOV can differ."

WHAT A JOKE!!!!!
A cage has 50% occupancy and it is classed as high occupancy???

A bike has 100% occupancy (1 bike / 1 rider) and deserves to be classed higher than cages.

**twinkle** · 20th June 2006, 11:45

if ya stage a protest ya need someone to go on tv and tell everyone all about it afterward. but it can't just be anybody cause transit will most likely be on tv to argue with

edit: but yeah i'd be happy to go for a cruise down the bus lane one morning/afternoon.

**Devil** · 20th June 2006, 12:23

Here's my response from Transit. Nice to know they're listening.
"The Busway Project Office of Transit New Zealand is closed from Friday, 23rd
December and reopens on Monday, 9 January 2006.

For urgent enquiries regarding the Northern Busway, please phone 0800 32 55 45.

Hope you have a safe and Happy Christmas and New Year."

**Bevel** · 20th June 2006, 21:18

Here is the response to my last email. Don't waste your time reading it if you read the last one. It's exactly the same and obviously a standard letter. They didn't bother responding to the arguments I put forth disputing their logic.
I'm going to post this on another board to generate a campaign to allow us to use the bus lanes. If you support this cause please email the following:

Joseph.Flanagan@transit.govt.nz
Warwick.Mason@transit.govt.nz
Nigel.Downing@transit.govt.nz
bronzauckland@hotmail.com

Hi ****

Thank you for your message to Transit New Zealand's (Transit's) website about motorcyclists using motorway bus lanes.

The shoulders on Auckland's motorways are primarily emergency stopping areas and are not constructed as running lanes. They are at a lower level than the main carriageway and not surfaced with the same material. Restricting the use of clearly defined sections of the shoulder to timetabled bus services at specified peak times on weekdays - only when the motorway is congested - means Transit can achieve some control over driver behavior.

Three licensed bus operators currently use the shoulder lanes and advice and direction on shoulder lane use forms part of the training programmed for bus drivers. If inappropriate driver behavior is observed, it is addressed through the bus operators, ensuring that both usage and speed are managed safely.

If vehicles in general were to use the shoulder as a normal running lane (at normal speeds) there would be safety issues with vehicles moving on and off the shoulder with the different carriageway heights and different levels of skid resistance. The stability of motorcyclists would be of particular concern when moving to or from the shoulder. If motorcyclists were permitted to ride on the shoulders the number of lane changes would be greater than normal because the main carriageway shoulders end at on and off-ramps and motorcyclists would need to change lanes (merge back into the main traffic flow) frequently. The speed differential between the congested main motorway lanes and motorcycles on the shoulder would be problematic and a real safety concern. Unfortunately, for these reasons, it is not currently practical or safe for motorcyclists to ride on the motorway shoulders.

Transit does not have any plans to review its policy on the controlled use of the motorway emergency stopping shoulders in the short term. However, if Transit were to revisit this policy it would consult with representative interest groups, rather than individual users. That would include bus operators, the NZ Automobile Association and a representative national motorcyclist's association. I trust that this clarifies the issues raised in your email. Thank you for your enquiry and apologies for the delayed response.

Warwick Mason
Traffic Engineer
Transit New Zealand
Ph 368.2026

**Devil** · 21st June 2006, 09:35

GRRR!

Time to rally, peoples! I did get a proper response from the busway people about motorcycles:

"No motorcycles will not be alowed to use the Busway. I will ensure that this is clear on the web site.
Regards,

Clive Fuhr
Project Director"

So there'll be HOV access, but not motorcycle access! WTF are these people smoking???

**twinkle** · 21st June 2006, 09:51

wonder what their reason for not letting us use the busway will be since none of the reasons for not using the buslanes apply... too many nasty cars and buses using it that might run us over?