Motorcycles in cycle lanes

[peterjdaly]

Christchurch has lots of cycle lanes that m-bike riders seem to use a passing lanes. The cops have been attending crashes where the bike rider gets taken out by some eejit in a car turning right thru the line of cars from the opposite direction.

Whats the answer? Do we outlaw the practice (actually it's already against the law) or just take our life into our own hands, and save time at the expense of compromising safety ?

[McJim]

Christchurch has lots of cycle lanes that m-bike riders seem to use a passing lanes. The cops have been attending crashes where the bike rider gets taken out by some eejit in a car turning right thru the line of cars from the opposite direction.

Whats the answer? Do we outlaw the practice (actually it's already against the law) or just take our life into our own hands, and save time at the expense of compromising safety ?

Must be a Christchurch thing - it's completely legal for a motorcycle to use a cycle lane in Auckland.

My mistake - ignore me - I'm thinking of Bus lanes.

[sunhuntin]

i dont use them, unless im turning down a side street. i think outlaw the practise, cos arent they technically passing on the left, which is also illegal unless the vehicle to the right is indicating a right turn?
i had a car start to underpass me recently...he was turning into a mini shopping center, but moved to underpass about a block early. i didnt know what he was doing till he was right next to me. previously hed been sitting on my exhaust, despite me doing 55k [against my will] i thought he was going to swing and run me over. scared me silly.

[SpankMe]

Or do what I always do, assume that someone will always pull out/in through a gap in a line of cages when lane splitting, etc.

I was taken out like that when I went up the left side a line of cages stopped at the lights and a mini pulled through a cap into a drive way and took out me and my girlfriend at the time on my first GB500.

[98tls]

If you chose and lose .....tough

[Ixion]

So how do the cyclists not get bowled then?

[far queue]

Christchurch has lots of cycle lanes that m-bike riders seem to use a passing lanes ... the bike rider gets taken out by some eejit in a car ...

Whats the answer? Do we outlaw the practice (actually it's already against the law) or just take our life into our own hands, and save time at the expense of compromising safety ?

As your signature line says "Take responsibility for your mistakes."

It's a cycle lane, m/bikes (or anything else) shouldn't be there, and they shouldn't be passing on the left. In this case the idiot would be the clown on the m/bike not in the car. I've been in the car and been surprised a couple of times by some dick on a scooter passing on the inside where least expected.

People grizzle on here all the time about cyclists taking up too much of the road, and I agree with that sentiment, they do at times. But the same applies the other way too, stay out of their cycle lanes.

[Ixion]

,,,. But the same applies the other way too, stay out of their cycle lanes.

But then I'll have to ride up the footpath. Well, ride up the footpath more than I do. I reckon if they can ride on the grownups lanes I can ride on theirs

[far queue]

But then I'll have to ride up the footpath. Well, ride up the footpath more than I do. I reckon if they can ride on the grownups lanes I can ride on theirs

Huh ??

[McJim]

So how do the cyclists not get bowled then?

We do - frequently - but then we identify the target and assasinate them at a later date using various chemistry techniques to eradicate the evidence/corpse/witnesses....P/T

Trick - if being hit by a motor vihicle is inevitible bunny hop or leap upwards to increase the chances of landing ON said vehicle rather than UNDER said vehicle.

I've been hit about 12 times in Glasgow and London - worked for me.

[cooneyr]

There were changes to the traffic rules (when the indicate at roundabouts rule was introduced) that specificaly make it illegal to drive a motor vehicle in a cylcle lane other than to cross the lane. This therefore makes it illegal to ride a motorbike on a cycle lane.

I've been a treadlist for the past 7 years in chch and motorbikes in the lane has never been a problem but cars definatly have. I'd say that if you are on a motorbike you are just as vunerable to a car as a treadliest (whilst in the cycle lane) and you are riding illegally. Entirely up to the rider but in saying that I've seen heaps of motorbike riders using the cycle lanes on Blenhiem Road.

Cheers
R

[Steam]

Trick - if being hit by a motor vihicle is inevitible bunny hop or leap upwards to increase the chances of landing ON said vehicle

Maha! Yes, I have done this a couple of times, and at low speeds it adds a lot to the drama of the situation, especially if you go over their windscreen. Makes them really sorry and shocked and offers of payment for hypothetical damage to bicycle more likely.

Cars SUCK.

[cruxis]

As a chch rider who uses blenheim road 5 days a week for years I use them often. Generally not when traffic is moving just when theres a very long queue stopped at the various traffic lights along there. eg 20+ car lengths. I usually move into the lane when the cars are stopped, I assumed you can pass on the left when they are all stopped, I have even moved past the police who didnt seem to even care either that or they couldnt be bothered, well them being stuck behind 50 cars and all Especially that curllets road/motorway intersection can be backed up a bit around 5pm. That can take over 10 mins queueing there waiting to get your turn at the lights.

Using a little common sense there safe as to use. No more dangerous than it is for an actual cyclist anyways.

[sefer]

Well it is illegal for a M/C to use a bike lane (I do all the time however, but usually only in stopped traffic and around the uni, since there are lots of lanes there). I've also almost been bowled doing so. However given that I would be going under 30 while doing it, i.e. no faster than a moped which can use a cycle lane, or for that matter no faster than some cyclists you've really got to wonder how those guys get on...

[cooneyr]

However given that I would be going under 30 while doing it, i.e. no faster than a moped which can use a cycle lane, or for that matter no faster than some cyclists you've really got to wonder how those guys get on...

I've been cycling in chch for about 7 years now on a daily basis and regularly got rather annoyed at drivers. Having a break at the moment though cause need to lower the stress levels.

I try to do about 35kph everywhere to minimise the speed differential for merging, changing lanes, etc but obviously doesn’t help when getting cut off. I find a smack on the window certainly wakes them up though - especially if they dont know you are there Have to watch those who get abusive back though - can get interesting when they stop and want to "talk".

Basically no matter what form of two wheels you are on you are vunerable so act like it, be wary and hopefully it will be all good. I've only twice fallen off cause of a cages actions in the 7 years. Fallen off a few more times cause I didn’t allow for the road conditions though i.e. ice, tram tracks, gravel etc

R