Motorway motorcycle lanes?

[EJT]

I see the same problem that occurs in bicyle lanes (the few there are) - the motorbike lane will become so full of crap and debris no one will use it unless they feel like puncture fixing practice

[elle-f]

I think if they made Motorbike only lanes they would probably have to put a "1" in front of that speed limit.

i totally agree!

[mikey62]

The outside lanes on their freeways are high occupancy (which include motorcyclists) lanes and traffic moves along in those lanes quite well. LA has the same pre-occupation with cars Aucklanders do, just with a few million more ppl. My brother rides the 50 miles to and from work each day and thinks its great. They have cameras stationed along the freeway and anyone breaking the rules gets fined. The outside lanes also have yellow lines so you can't just move in and out of them, once your in there you have to wait until a break in the lines. These are usually a mile or so before the next off-ramp so you have time to move over. Ref to previous thread, they also have lights leading on to their freeways. Have done for years and everyone just gets on with it.

[Kflasher]

Did anyone else read the article in the Howick & Pakuranga Times (April 26).
A locall councillor and fellow biker has suggested that the shoulders of the motorway be converted to "GASP" Motorcyle lanes with a max limit of 65kph.

Lets hear your views on this!

Hey I would support this, do you have this chaps details so we may be able to contact him to encourage and support his forward thinking.
As motorcyclists I think we should jump on anyone that takes us into consideration like this, if he believes he is able to table this idea without being ridiculed he may have more up his sleeve, this may be only a test bed for his other ideas… my 2 cents.

[Squeak the Rat]

65 makes sense. You don't want people doing 100kph next to three lanes of traffic travelling at 20kph.

But as Dover said, it aint going to happen. Some one will put a zero tolerance bill before parliament about not being allowed to smack your monkey while having a drink - and all those without kids will say yay! and all those who don't drink will say yay we're better than you, and then the bit about the bikes will come up, and then how can't we start up a buildozer for four hours think of the trees and the children.

[Donor]

Wondering how long it would take before you or Donor made reference to the width of my rear end

It had to be Speedie... he's higher qualified then me...

[Blue Thunder]

and its his birthday today so he thinks he can get away with it!!!!!!!!

[Ixion]

Hey I would support this, do you have this chaps details so we may be able to contact him to encourage and support his forward thinking.
As motorcyclists I think we should jump on anyone that takes us into consideration like this, if he believes he is able to table this idea without being ridiculed he may have more up his sleeve, this may be only a test bed for his other ideas… my 2 cents.

That is a good idea. If he receives endorsement and encouragement he may push harder. and most of course will not have access to the Howick and pakaranga Times.

BTW, someone should point him at KB.

[Street Gerbil]

...Motorcyle lanes with a max limit of 65kph.

I am sure you missed the one in front. Now 165kph would have been a lot more sensible.

[Blue Thunder]

That is a good idea. If he receives endorsement and encouragement he may push harder. and most of course will not have access to the Howick and pakaranga Times.

BTW, someone should point him at KB.

I have emailed the City Councillor quoted in the article and suggested he log onto KB.

[WRT]

I think its a good idea with a lot of merit. Sod off all you nay-sayers, go spoil someone elses party.

I would prefer to have the lane on the right, not the left, but I do agree with the concept of a "High Occupancy" lane (which bikes can use) with a speed limit of 65kph. Or even 50kph if they like - that's still faster than I'll lane split anyways so I still win.

It doesnt really matter if the HO lane has to be on the left (on the existing hard shoulder) as bikes have an easy enough time nipping through the traffic anyway. However, I do think there should be some sort of logic applied to it all:

• For all HO vehicles, bikes, HO cars, buses, etc, and emergency vehicles
• Sensible speed limit applied so that the only times it comes useful is in heavy traffic
• Once the traffic on the motorway starts going faster than whatever the HO speed limit is, then just merge back into the main flow of traffic
• The lanes are swept on a regular basis
• The rules are enforced to ensure only permitted vehicles use it

I personally see this as being safer than lane splitting. Especially for learners. Just this morning on my way into work, I was filtering between the middle and right lanes. I saw a gap in the middle lane in front of me, and a van in the right hand lane put his indicator on to move into it. I could see him watching me, so I slowed down and waved him over. Just as I did this, a guy following me on a GN250 overtook me on the left (through the gap in the middle lane) and cut the van off. I'm assuming that because I was in front of him, he never saw the van's indicator. If the van driver hadn't been paying attention (he was more aware of the situation than I was, I'm a little ashamed to say), the GN rider would have been squashed.

I firmly believe that a full width lane dedicated to bikes and HO vehicles has much better visibility and far fewer hazards than the "little white highway".

Bring it on I say.

[Blue Thunder]

Hey I would support this, do you have this chaps details so we may be able to contact him to encourage and support his forward thinking.
As motorcyclists I think we should jump on anyone that takes us into consideration like this, if he believes he is able to table this idea without being ridiculed he may have more up his sleeve, this may be only a test bed for his other ideas… my 2 cents.

Hi Kflasher. neil.morrison@manukau.govt.nz

[Kflasher]

Hi Kflasher. neil.morrison@manukau.govt.nz

Cheers dude, try to keep this thread alive or repost as to spread the word. Mr Morrison has opened the can of worms, he has also uncovered a voting population that is untapped by others (just keep this in mind).

[Ixion]

Here is the text of the article referred to

• Howick and Pakuranga Times

BIKER Neil Morrison wants Auckland highway shoulder areas dedicated to motorcyclists.

The Pakuranga city councillor says they’re a highly valued, unused multi-million dollar resource adjoining the region’s constantly clogged motorway network.

He suggests the motorway shoulders could be converted to motorcycle lanes.

They’d have 65kph maximum speed zones and a pilot model could be trialled for a year, “from Manukau up to the left side of the motorway to Auckland”.

“This proposal would be significantly safer than what motorcyclists are confronted with each day on Auckland motorways,” says Mr Morrison.

“Two wheelers are forced to mingle with cars and trucks on the main carriageways using a high degree of fluidity and dexterity to avoid contact with other vehicles.

“Motorcycle riders have a natural tendency to keep moving to avoid having to stabilise the motorcycle with one’s legs in stationary mode.”

Mr Morrison says he has information from highway transport officials that the shoulders are available to cars for parking if they’ve broken down.

“With the same dexterity, motorcyclists would easily manoeuvre around the seldom parked vehicles.

“Likewise when confronted with an onramp the motorcyclists would merge into the lane to their right and once past the onramp, re enter the two metre shoulder lane.”

Economic factors such as rising fuel costs and gridlock-caused delays have led to a trebling of motorbike and scooter sales in the past three years.

“Here’s an opportunity to show motorcyclists that they’re considered and to encourage more people out of cars.”

Mr Morrison’s proposal comes as the public consultation period opens for $1.5 billion worth of projects in the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) (Times, April 5, 2, March 19, 15).

Four new lanes and a duplication of the Waipuna Bridge on the South-east Highway, at a cost of $143 million, are on the suggested AMETI building programme.

If planners and motorists believe Mr Morrison’s idea has merit, it’s an appropriate time to be considered, as the next stage of AMETI is to finalise the projects utilising public feedbac

[ManDownUnder]

I think its a good idea with a lot of merit. Sod off all you nay-sayers, go spoil someone elses party.

...snip...

I firmly believe that a full width lane dedicated to bikes and HO vehicles has much better visibility and far fewer hazards than the "little white highway".

Bring it on I say.

I'm one of the maybes - and took that position because I'm always wary of anything designed by a committee - or council. I can see it now (left hand lane, stops and starts every time there's an on or off ramp, 65kph max etc). They would consider their duties discharged, the idea a good one and a shoddy solution in place (which then needs to be undone at some expense, then corrected at even MORE expense).

That being said - yes... right hand lane and everything that's been said in support of a high occupancy lane per the LA example. Good idea.