Bus lane transit NZ

[Redstar]

All you North of the Bridge bikers have you noticed the earthworks on the shore as they carve out the new transit bus lane? I contacted Transit NZ today and the official word is that we will be not allowed to use it!
Are we going to take this sitting down?not bloody likely I have made a submittion to transit for formal clarification of their position and a request for consultation with us.
Apparently they are worried that we will get involved in problems with Buses picking up and setting down? strange considering it wont have any bus stops?
this is an important issue for all of us because such transit lanes
will become more prevalent on the southern western and eastern and eventually anywhere in NZ. what we accept now will dictate the future for us all I am happy to lead the fight.
Please indicate your support for this fight.

[Dave]

Thats weird because auckland cities official view is that bikes can use bus lanes.Maybe transit are trying to cultivate congestion so they can get more funding.

[bluninja]

Strange how one section of Auckland allows use, and one doesn't. It seems emminently sensible to me for motorbikes and cycles to use bus lanes. After all in heavy traffic they are the most vulnerable forms of transport. Or perhaps they think that everyone will suddenly get a motorbike to use the buslanes; suddenly buslanes being hogged by suited harley riders on their way to cut a deal at the office.

TTFN

[Yamahamaman]

The Mayor of London came up with an idea that works exceptionally well and would probably work in Auckland as well. Motorists are taxed UK5 (NZ15) to take their private cars into London. It's called a congestion tax.

[SpankMe]

But are bikes charged to use central London as well?

[wkid_one]

NO they aren't

[SpankMe]

That’s good to hear. It would be interesting to know how much motorbike/scooter usage increased after the charges came into effect.

[SPman]

I beleive theres been a marked increase in the sales of scooters in the UK since the Tax came in!

[Andrew]

From my understanding you can use all the bus lanes off the motorway, but not use the bus lanes on the motorway. Is that the case?

[SPman]

All the bus lanes in Auckland City. I'm not sure about the lanes in Onewa Rd in Northcote 

[Coldkiwi]

use of buslanes is governed by the owning authority. ie. buslanes in pakuranga are governed by manukau city bylaws. The motorway buslanes however are owned by Transit NZ and are ruled by their laws (which says not-on-your-nelly buddy.. unless you want a $600 fine!).

so for onewa road you'd be best to call north shore city council and ask them.

 

[bikerboy]

If TNZ are worried about stopping for passengers surely this is more of an issue in cities, yet they allow it.

I think it's just an excuse to force us into buses. They should be encouraging bikes, as they go straight to your destination, no changes, bus stops etc. take up less room and are more economical as far as roads are concerned; less damage and smaller lanes.

[Redstar]

Well I have posted a submission with transit and Paul Swains office and I'll keep you posted on reply. I did suggest that non licence holders and bikes less than 150cc might be excluded on the basis of inability to keep pace with buses?
I thought well those 150,s can do 150klms/hr so that should match a bus? I hav had polite acknowledgement from both offices if it come to the crunch we may need to formulate a collective response?

[Redstar]

Onewa road is a designated transit lane for Buses cars with 3 plus and Motorcyles specifically: an island of sanity in an otherwise biker sod off world.
all other bus lanes green painted are officially no go for us on the shore.

[Redstar]

This is a copy of the remit.


Website 19/05/2003 17:10:41 >>>
QuestionsComments:
Auckland Northern Motorway priority lane for buses and high occupancy vehicles project under construction submission for approved usage by Motorcycles


Dear Sir

My understanding from inquiries made of Transit New Zealand is that this lane currently under construction will not be made available to the use of Motorcycles but will be restricted to Passenger Service Buses and High Occupancy Vehicles?

My submission is in support of consideration of allowing motorcycles to use this lane on completion.

I spoke briefly to a project staff person at the Transit Auckland Office who advised me that it is not intended to allow motorcycles to use this lane.

The rational offered for this stance is one of protection of the Safety interests of the Motorcyclists in view of the interaction with the Buses picking up and setting down.

I assumed the lane would be a continuous non-interrupted lane flow and therefore the interaction would be nil in this respect?

I have been using Onewa Rd Transit lane for a few years now and have found that Buses HOV?S and motorcycles can cohabitate quite well and this is indeed a situation where buses pick up and set down. Why should the new transit lane offer a higher risk to the Motorcyclists?

In the interests of congestion reduction, environmental impact one would assume there would be encouragement to the Motorcycle user and yet I fear a lost opportunity

Currently the Buses use the inside lane of the Northern Motorway and Motorcycles have not been permitted to use that lane due to the risks associated with other road users not seeing them and pulling onto the shoulder without checking. (Media release 456 24th March 2003) this is perhaps so but will drivers look for a bus thundering down at speeds that approach 90klm/hr I think not and perhaps that?s one good reason why Transit NZ have embarked on this project?

Motorcycles are bonafide road users who now pay a higher registration than passenger cars most of us are responsible and hold clean licenses with good driving records. We don?t need regulated protection from other road users we are quite aware of the risks associated with our chosen mode of transport and quite capable of employing advanced defensive driving techniques.

I would like to better understand the rational behind Transits decision in this case and I would like to know if motorcycle groups and individuals have been given fair representation in this matter.

I would also like Transit NZ to reconsider this decision if it has been made



I would like to make a case for submission that this is transit lane could alleviate traffic congestion further by the inclusion and promotion of it for Motorcycles.

I would concede that owing to the speed capabilities of buses some smaller capacity motorcycles may compromise the progress of the Buses and also learner motorcyclists might be better encouraged to pass the test before exposure to the transit lanes.

This would be achieved by the requirement that motorcycles and scooters must be at least 150cc and a full license held for motorcycles but others may disagree.


Your Sincerely