Bike cop learns me of bus lane law...

[disenfranchised]

As a side topic, does anyone know the rules for the B lights?
I assume that the B light means that vehicles in the bus lane can go.

If you're on a bike but are not in the bus lane (because you've split up beside a bus) can you go when the B light comes on, or do you have to wait for the green.
I've been going on the B...I don't want to have to ride behind a bus, they're large and unpredictable.

I've also seen cars in the bus lanes at lights (got confused about the lanes I expect)
Should a car in this situation go on the B light to clear the way, because they are in the bus lane?

[Max Preload]

Maybe they have. Would the courts not see "Buses Only" as an implied exclusion of everything except buses?

The legislation requires Specific exclusion, not Implied exclusion.

Yes. It needs to be specific exclusion of any vehicles otherwise entitled to use bus lanes, such as motorcycles. Without a sign exluding motorcycles, I can't see them being able to uphold a ticket.

[swbarnett]

The legislation requires Specific exclusion, not Implied exclusion.

I suppose it boils down to what the courts would class as specific.

[swbarnett]

I assume that the B light means that vehicles in the bus lane can go.

Even if it doesn't I don't think the bus behind you would be too pleased if you didn't.

I've also seen cars in the bus lanes at lights (got confused about the lanes I expect)
Should a car in this situation go on the B light to clear the way, because they are in the bus lane?

In this case they're breaking the law anyway so I'd say whatever they do would not matter legally. Intuitively I think it would be better if they did go on the B. These bus lanes at the lights often merge very quickly with the lane to the right.

[Jantar]

I suppose it boils down to what the courts would class as specific.

Already done. To be specifically excluded the signage needs to either say "Motorcycles excluded" or be a picture of a motorcycle with a red line through it. In any case the legal definition of Specific is the same as the dictionary one:

Pronunciation: spi-'si-fik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin specificus, from Latin species
1 a : constituting or falling into a specifiable category b : sharing or being those properties of something that allow it to be referred to a particular category
2 a : restricted to a particular individual, situation, relation, or effect b : exerting a distinctive influence (as on a body part or a disease)
3 : free from ambiguity : ACCURATE
4 : of, relating to, or constituting a species and especially a biological species
5 a : being any of various arbitrary physical constants and especially one relating a quantitative attribute to unit mass, volume, or area b : imposed at a fixed rate per unit (as of weight or count) -- compare AD VALOREM
synonym see SPECIAL, EXPLICIT

[Dodger]

Something to add to the mix - Wellington bus lanes

Bus Lane Use

Bus lanes are mainly for buses, but motorcycles and cycles can use them too. Some bus lanes are marked ‘Buses Only’ - motorcycles and cycles are prohibited there.

‘Buses Only’ lanes can be found:

* On the southbound route of Lambton Quay starting at Kirkcaldie's department store and continuing along Hunter Street, Customhouse Quay, and Willis Street.
Top
* On Thorndon Quay.
* In the operations area at the Lambton Interchange.

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/projec.../buslanes.html

Sigh, the whole things a mess...

[sAsLEX]

As a side topic, does anyone know the rules for the B lights?
I assume that the B light means that vehicles in the bus lane can go.

If you're on a bike but are not in the bus lane (because you've split up beside a bus) can you go when the B light comes on, or do you have to wait for the green.
I've been going on the B...I don't want to have to ride behind a bus, they're large and unpredictable.

I've also seen cars in the bus lanes at lights (got confused about the lanes I expect)
Should a car in this situation go on the B light to clear the way, because they are in the bus lane?

I have asked this of the council in Auckland, and according to the the law in my interpretation, the B light only refers to Buses. SO if you are at the front of a bus lane you legally have to wait until a green disc is shown, stopping the buses behind you from getting there early phase! Go the law! The council actually suggested I just move to the side off the lane and let the buses sneak past me........... yeah right they would manage that with out driving over me!

[Sanx]

I have asked this of the council in Auckland, and according to the the law in my interpretation, the B light only refers to Buses. SO if you are at the front of a bus lane you legally have to wait until a green disc is shown, stopping the buses behind you from getting there early phase! Go the law! The council actually suggested I just move to the side off the lane and let the buses sneak past me........... yeah right they would manage that with out driving over me!

Oh that's classic. Put bus lanes in. Put priority bus traffic lights in. Allow bikers to use the bus lanes, but not the bus priority lights. Is there actually anyone with an IQ above 80 in the council, or are the entire staff complete morons?

Still, it's good for annoying buses when they pull out in front of you, having previously checked their mirrors, seen you and not given a shit.

[sAsLEX]

Oh that's classic. Put bus lanes in. Put priority bus traffic lights in. Allow bikers to use the bus lanes, but not the bus priority lights. Is there actually anyone with an IQ above 80 in the council, or are the entire staff complete morons?

Still, it's good for annoying buses when they pull out in front of you, having previously checked their mirrors, seen you and not given a shit.

Might be. But in a democracy sometimes the voice of logic and reason is drowned out.





edit: why is this in my post title? I never use them! New version of software has some bugs mods!

[kevfromcoro]

this is off topic ..but wanted to post it .....driving through town yesterday..andd a car in front stops in the middle of the road,i ast for a few minutes..tooted the horn and they moved on..then stopped again...shag this..iam thinking...big blast on the horn,,,the door flys open and this young cunt hops out and starts yelling..hurling abuse ..calling me all the names ubder the sun....then his mate gets out..and the 2 of them started booting my car in....put a big ding in the rear gaurd..fuck thinks me ..wot to do this is the main street,so i move of...they followed me...went down to the boat yard carpark... no body about...here they come...so i gave them a bit a tickle up with a lump of 4x2.. went up to auckland... got hon\me about 10 last night...there is a knock on the door,,, fucken cops,,,i wos half pissed. in they come..sits down..wot up says me///want a beer.anyway the 2 young fellas must have taken down my rego..... and have logged an asult charge....got to go down this morning and sort it. out....who is right here???might c if i can get there reg no..and get a few KB bros to do a bit more bashing..interesting thread.... all coments appreciated...KEVTHEKIWI..

[Patrick]

this is off topic ..but wanted to post it .....driving through town yesterday..andd a car in front stops in the middle of the road,i ast for a few minutes..tooted the horn and they moved on..then stopped again...shag this..iam thinking...big blast on the horn,,,the door flys open and this young cunt hops out and starts yelling..hurling abuse ..calling me all the names ubder the sun....then his mate gets out..and the 2 of them started booting my car in....put a big ding in the rear gaurd..fuck thinks me ..wot to do this is the main street,so i move of...they followed me...went down to the boat yard carpark... no body about...here they come...so i gave them a bit a tickle up with a lump of 4x2.. went up to auckland... got hon\me about 10 last night...there is a knock on the door,,, fucken cops,,,i wos half pissed. in they come..sits down..wot up says me///want a beer.anyway the 2 young fellas must have taken down my rego..... and have logged an asult charge....got to go down this morning and sort it. out....who is right here???might c if i can get there reg no..and get a few KB bros to do a bit more bashing..interesting thread.... all coments appreciated...KEVTHEKIWI..

So many possibles... them charged with intentional damage, you assault with a weapon...

Cops could see this as it reads and think the two deserved it... but its a big "could..."

[sAsLEX]

So they first damaged your property and physically threatened you.

They then proceeded to follow you to a boat yard, where they confronted you? And since you where outnumbered and where unaware of there background, they could of been military with advanced close quarters combat skills, so you picked up a 2x4 and defended yourself...

That sound like what happened to me unless:
1. You are a really big fucker
2. You broke half their bones


semi retract the following until after the guys interview at the station

But good on the cops for chasing another victim down instead of the little fucks that think, an do get away with all sorts of shit in our society!

[sAsLEX]

So many possibles... them charged with intentional damage, you assault with a weapon...

Cops could see this as it reads and think the two deserved it... but its a big "could..."

or they could turn a blind eye and see the little cunts have learnt there lesson to pick on people?!?!


But how would that look NOT charging someone?

[Patrick]

So they first damaged your property and physically threatened you.

They then proceeded to follow you to a boat yard, where they confronted you? And since you where outnumbered and where unaware of there background, they could of been military with advanced close quarters combat skills, so you picked up a 2x4 and defended yourself...

That sound like what happened to me unless:
1. You are a really big fucker
2. You broke half their bones




But good on the cops for chasing another victim down instead of the little fucks that think, an do get away with all sorts of shit in our society!

First part of post is top advice... self defence is always a goodie, as they followed you for some reason now, didn't they...

Second part? (last two lines...)

Cops have probably been told, "This guy attacked us for no reason with a lump of 4 x 2. Here are the marks, this is his rego." And you think they shouldn't look in to it? They are looking in to the "story" of two "victims" at the mo...

[sAsLEX]

First part of post is top advice... self defence is always a goodie, as they followed you for some reason now, didn't they...

Second part? (last two lines...)

Cops have probably been told, "This guy attacked us for no reason with a lump of 4 x 2. Here are the marks, this is his rego." And you think they shouldn't look in to it? They are looking in to the "story" of two "victims" at the mo...

Ah but you see he said he was interviewed by the cops... they might of wanted him to come in sober to get a the full story?.... so I will have to semi retract my comment until after he has talked to them..... but on hearing his story they should drop the charges and reverse them on the little punks..........