Bus lanes are coming to Chch

[Creeping Death]

Soooo...when they gonna let us park on footpaths....

[Muppet]

Soooo...when they gonna let us park on footpaths....

Like in central Melbourne? Can't see that happening fella, too many wowsers would object!

[Creeping Death]

Like in central Melbourne? Can't see that happening fella, too many wowsers would object!

You are dead right on the Melbourne thing mate.I was there back in 91 for the Phillip Island GP and spent 3 days in Melbourne and could'nt believe bikes could park on the footpath!18 years ago and it NEVER impeded anyone!As long as bikes are on an angle I see no problem?

[cooneyr]

Soooo...when they gonna let us park on footpaths....

Completely outside the scope of this project. That would require council to change their parking piolicy. Actually go and have a look at the CCC Parking Strategy and see what it has to say. I'm personally not an advocate for this given the narrow footpaths we have around Chch (think about the implications of parking on the footpath along Colombo St).

Cheers R

[bikemike]

"As a motorist, you are allowed to travel up to 50 metres in a bus lane if you need to turn into a side street or driveway."

That's quite a ways down the road in the wrong lane! Why would a vehicle need any more than 10 or 20 metres in a 50k zone to take a left... to prevent them cutting in too severely....

I think it's a good idea to have these lanes, for buses and they have the visibility and bulk to make it clear what's going on.

For slower moving cycles, probably safer than being in the main flow so long as the lane gives 1 metre for the cycle, 1.5 passing room, then the width for the bus...

However, for PTWs doing the limit or thereabouts, riding on the left of vehicles that may take 0 to 50 metres to take that left gives me the willies. Not sure if that's a good thing for motorcycles etc.... yet.

[st00ji]

i find the bus lanes in auckland quite useful. the other side of traffic gets pretty messy with people using the median lane as a bit of a free for all area, whereas the auckland buses thunder along the bus lane rain, shine, congestion etc. so people tend to steer clear, just need to keep an eye out for driveways

the other one to watch for is when traffic is stopped, and some considerate motorist has left a gap so people turning right across the flow of traffic can get into a side street - its hard enough for motorists to spot bikes at the best of times, nevermind when their view is being blocked by a row of cars.

there are also very bored looking council type people with cameras filming the people using the buslanes now too, since they started this the cages have been even more careful about when they use bus lanes. its actually gotten to the point where most people will avoid the bus lane at all times, even if its outside normal hours of operation

[cooneyr]

....there are also very bored looking council type people with cameras filming the people using the buslanes now too, since they started this the cages have been even more careful about when they use bus lanes. its actually gotten to the point where most people will avoid the bus lane at all times, even if its outside normal hours of operation

Installing the lanes isn't cheep so to make sure they work they are being enforced. No point in having cars (parked or moving) filling them cause then the buses, cyclists and motorcyclists wont be going anywhere fast so why bother building them?

On a positive and warning note - the first sections of lane are scheduled to be open on Papanui Rd on Tuesday the 6th. This will be the sections between Innes Rd and Bealy Ave. The following sections will follow with week or so gaps depending on the weather - need to have dry roads to finish the markings and laying the green surfacing.

Oh and take it easy on the green surfacing for the first week or so. It will have so loose grit on it till it gets swept off - just like new chip seal (tar seal in the old speak).

Cheers R

[Muppet]

You are dead right on the Melbourne thing mate.I was there back in 91 for the Phillip Island GP and spent 3 days in Melbourne and could'nt believe bikes could park on the footpath!18 years ago and it NEVER impeded anyone!As long as bikes are on an angle I see no problem?

Sorry about late reply, yes there were so many bikes on the footpath, there was almost no need to go to Elizabeth Street to look at the shops! I went there for the MotoGP too, twice in fact. Will go again, piece of piss to organise on the net. World class event.

[cooneyr]

I've been watching the traffic since the bus lanes opened (I am an engineer!) on Tuesday and there are a few bikes and scooters that are not using them, instead choosing to staying general traffic lanes and wait in the queue. Spread the word to all you know that bikes and scooters are allowed to use the lanes!

The enforcement guys should know this (I've made sure their managers do) and if car drivers/cyclists/bus driver give you grief tell them to ring the Council or NZTA. Phone numbers are on the Bus Priority Web Page.

Cheers R

[imdying]

You can't blame them too much... they're pretty all over the place, they probably (not unreasonably) think that they're safer staying in the traffic flow.

[sondela]

I used the bus lane!! I did.. and lived to tell the tale too Ppl in cars looked at me oddly tho.. not that that's unsual..

[Muppet]

I've been watching the traffic since the bus lanes opened (I am an engineer!) on Tuesday and there are a few bikes and scooters that are not using them, instead choosing to staying general traffic lanes and wait in the queue. Spread the word to all you know that bikes and scooters are allowed to use the lanes!

The enforcement guys should know this (I've made sure their managers do) and if car drivers/cyclists/bus driver give you grief tell them to ring the Council or NZTA. Phone numbers are on the Bus Priority Web Page.

Cheers R

Thanks for that, can I add that 'we' should take it easy in doing so, I saw an old trout flying up the bus lane this afternoon missing my (car) mirror by millimetres, she wasn't slowing for anyone. Still, it was quite funny to watch her try and force her way back into the traffic lane at Merivale, the punters weren't having none of it!!

[Muppet]

I used the bus lane!! I did.. and lived to tell the tale too Ppl in cars looked at me oddly tho.. not that that's unsual..

If you were on your 999 they were probably admiring the exhaust note! Or 'Cor wish that was me on that Duke'

[sondela]

nah exhaust is way too quiet.. going to fix that!

[Muppet]

nah exhaust is way too quiet.. going to fix that!

Yes well looking at the exchange rate you might get yourself a bargain if you get a pipe from U S and A. How does your 999 go? I rode a friends 848 last week, very nice, termignoni pipes sound gravvy!