Upcoming Law Change - Bus Lanes, Us, Yes :)

**StoneChucker** · 17th February 2005, 14:06

If this has been covered here already, sorry!

Just read in the newspaper that over and above the pedestrian crossing and roundabout changes, there is a special vehicle lane law. One is for cyclists, and the other is the bus lane (which are already around the cities). Buses, cyclists and MOTORcyclists can use bus lanes. Forgive my excitement, but I didn't know that!

Hey, they should build a "bus" lane on all NZ roads.

**T.I.E** · 17th February 2005, 14:13

i actually wish we could use the bus lanes on the motorway as well. eg northern mtorway auckland.
as far as i know they just cover the intercity lanes or any bus lane with the picture of a (push) bike on them. makes riding into work real quick.
what else can or do we get away with?
any bylaws at all?

**Ramius** · 17th February 2005, 14:33

Originally Posted by StoneChucker

If this has been covered here already, sorry!

Just read in the newspaper that over and above the pedestrian crossing and roundabout changes, there is a special vehicle lane law. One is for cyclists, and the other is the bus lane (which are already around the cities). Buses, cyclists and MOTORcyclists can use bus lanes. Forgive my excitement, but I didn't know that!

Hey, they should build a "bus" lane on all NZ roads.

WOOHOO!! Oh wait, I can't ride at the moment. When I do ride again, maybe there will be bus lanes everywhere... However, in Wellington, it seems to be Taxi lane as well...

DAMN TAXIS

**vifferman** · 17th February 2005, 14:37

Originally Posted by Ramius

WOOH... However, in Wellington, it seems to be Taxi lane as well...

DAMN TAXIS

I donot thing they can use the taxi in the buss lane here.

**blownae92** · 17th February 2005, 14:40

Can motorcycles use bus lanes?
Yes, unless specifically excluded by signs.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roa...s.html#special

**Posh Tourer :P** · 17th February 2005, 15:57

Ok. Related question: What is the legal definition of "Open road"?

**MSTRS:Me** · 17th February 2005, 16:08

Originally Posted by Posh Tourer :P

Ok. Related question: What is the legal definition of "Open road"?

I think it's any road that falls in the 100k category. This does not include the sections covered by the circle/diagonal line LSZ signs

**Devil** · 17th February 2005, 17:00

Originally Posted by Posh Tourer :P

Ok. Related question: What is the legal definition of "Open road"?

After reading it it looks like we'll be allowed on them on the motorway, it hasnt said we cant...however, knowing transit they'll probably stick up signs saying motorbikes cant

**Ms Piggy** · 17th February 2005, 17:15

I had been kinda using them anyway but that is good news!

**Darryboy** · 17th February 2005, 17:30

Originally Posted by MSTRS

I think it's any road that falls in the 100k category. This does not include the sections covered by the circle/diagonal line LSZ signs

I always thought the white circle with the diagonal line meant 'open road'

**Posh Tourer :P** · 17th February 2005, 21:51

Originally Posted by SpeedMedic

Open road
The maximum speed that you can travel at is 100km/h.

Does that include motorways and/or expressways? Or are they classed differently?

**Posh Tourer :P** · 17th February 2005, 22:57

It is kinda important, cos the road code says learners cannot exceed 70kmh on the open road.

But I thought that perhaps motorways weren't. Maybe they are a special subsection of open road, but I dunno

**ManDownUnder** · 18th February 2005, 09:23

I rang Auckland city council about this a number of months ago and they confirmed M/C can use the bus lanes in Auckland... BUT (and whoever wrote these rules obviously has a BIG butt)...

an important distinction to be made is that anything not covered by ACC can not be used!

Specifically that means anything controlled by Transit NZ. Of note these are:
1) Bus lanes on motorways (inside the ACC area or not... motorways are Tansit... not allowed there!)
2) Intersections... yes - you heard that right... intersections.

Point number 2 elaborated on a little. If you are using a bus lane in the city limits... trundling along laughing at the cars doing 50kph and you get to an intersection with a red light you have to stop.

Picture this - a bus pulls up behind you, it's morning... the bus is full. Let's say another bus pulls up behind that one, maybe a line of 3 forms (not unusual at the top of Chinaman's hill in Auckland).

The green "B" light comes on and the bus behind you wants to go... but they can't. If a M/C proceeds through that intersection (as common sense suggest they might mant to for speed and safety reasons) you are eligible for a $150 instant fine.

The list of vehicle allowed to proceed through the green "B" light does not include M/Cs.

I took the liberty of writing to an ex school teacher of mine... who happens to be the Minister of Transport Safety. He (or more likely one of his minions) wrote back, thanked me for pointing that out and assured me it was ok because buses are not allowed to run over motorcyclists.

At last - some clarity... that makes me feel a lot safer and I'll have enormous satisfaction in pointing out to ANY bus driver running me over that S/HE WAS NAUGHTY!... that is assuming I survive the pummeling by 10 tonns of Mercedes finest.

**Wonko** · 18th February 2005, 10:23

From reading the Land Trransport web page we can use motorway bus lanes except when they have put up sign's stating no m/c. They have taken over control from the local City Council's bylaws. But note that any local City Council's bylaws over ride the land transport in restrictions. Henance the ACC could hypotheticaly say "no" to riding in bus lanes over riding the LT.

**outlawtorn** · 18th February 2005, 11:54

When I come over the bridge from the North Shore in the morning it is normally gridlock after the Shelly Beach offramp, so I ride down the bus lanes instead of filtering, I assume I'm not breaking the law and then I filter into the lanes and take the Fanshawe offramp, if I get caught or fined I'll plead ignorance, all I saw was a sign on the Red Baron shop saying that we can now ride on bus lanes.