Bike cop learns me of bus lane law...

[swbarnett]

this is off topic ..

Looks like a clear case of self-defence to me. You should probably lodge a complaint against them.

[Patrick]

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..........

Agreed.

Did say he has to go down this morning to sort it... so hasn't been interviewed?

There is the saying tho... "There is two sides to the story."

[more_fasterer]

Pity it's the word of two of them versus one of you. Good luck with it Kev.

[Patrick]

Pity it's the word of two of them versus one of you. Good luck with it Kev.

Still... the two followed him, not the other way around... and you gotta ask yourself....

[kevfromcoro]

just got back from the cop shop..the story i got was totally different to what accualtely happened..apperaly .. i ran into the back of there car.yelled verbal abuse..and tryed to run one of them over....shit i wouldnt do that in the main st..i was taking them boat club and then run them over..the cops were pretty good...came out and photo,d my car..took pics of all the dents and a few more that were there b4..lucy 3 witness es have rung ..and the cops are interviewing them.. good shit...(poor old fella get harassed by two violent youths in the main street with 100 witnes s....)dumb cunts....fancy doing that ,,at the moment waiting to c . whats going to happen......

[swbarnett]

..lucy 3 witness es have rung ..and the cops are interviewing them...

Things like this restore your faith in human nature and make me proud to be a Kiwi.

[Fub@r]

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.

I have to deal with Council's throughout Auckland daily.........I struggle to find anyone these days that has a pronouncable name and english is at least their second language.

For me I rarely use buslanes on suburban streets, I think its just far too dangerous. ie: cars coming across those lanes are looking for buses not motorbikes. When I have used them I've seen and experienced some close calls.

As for using a motorway buslane, I would rather lanesplit. There is so much crap in those shoulder lanes and I can't afford another tyre Plus you are taking on Transit and I wouldn't want to end up being part of Transit's test case.

As for that Transit statement on the previos page about the motorway being a high speed environment, they do seem to contradict themselves by saying if a car needs to exit their lane and enter the emergency lane would be a hazard during peak hours. Why have a priority lane if the traffic is travelling at high speed. I've never seen the motorway being used at high speed during rush hours, lucky if they get to 30kph

[Albino]

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.

No, only buses can go on the B light.

So you need to make a decision to risk a ticket or to piss off the driver of the bus behind you.


btw - bus lanes and B lights only apply to buses on a scheduled route. Wing Chongs Dodgy NZ Tour bus is not legally allowed to use these.

[sAsLEX]

btw - bus lanes and B lights only apply to buses on a scheduled route. Wing Chongs Dodgy NZ Tour bus is not legally allowed to use these.

Cops in general do not know this small fact.

Even when they organised a sting on unlawful use of a certain bus lane, they failed to read, or ensure they knew the law they were cracking down on. Yes I did get a ticket, and yes I had to waste my time getting off it and now I am a rather balanced person............ big chips on each shoulder

[Jabez]

This time the Cop didn't want to argue, but he didn't issue a ticket either... should I have expected to get an instant ticket on the spot or do they send them in the mail?... Is he just trying to scare me...He said i would have my day in court.

[disenfranchised]

No, only buses can go on the B light.

So you need to make a decision to risk a ticket or to piss off the driver of the bus behind you.


btw - bus lanes and B lights only apply to buses on a scheduled route. Wing Chongs Dodgy NZ Tour bus is not legally allowed to use these.

Current news consensus suggests that this is wrong
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/9/...ectid=10465753
Very first question

[sAsLEX]

Current news consensus suggests that this is wrong
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/9/...ectid=10465753
Very first question

Would suggest she is wrong. Cant be bothered finding the legislation though, but last time I read it it said buses may use the light, buses cycles and motorcycles may use bus lanes, but didnt mention the others in the B light bit.

I lie I found the link http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...0&postcount=14 read that post has the law stuff in it


But then again I have probably looked into it more than her http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/se...archid=2712568

[trooper]

Have posted the correct enforcement answer below. Patrick, any comments?

[trooper]

This thread just goes on and on with arguments for and against but i will now simplify it into 2 categories on how i expect my staff to enforce this alleged confusing area (which isnt really confusing at all):

Auckland Motorway:
Generally an emergency shoulder modified for Bus use only during peak flow times. If any vehicle other than a bus is using the emergency shoulder they will receive an infringement notice. The actual fine is $750 although most get the $150. Both are correct infringements however the $750 is for "driving / riding a vehicle along a bus lane on the motorway" whereas the $150 is for "failed to comply with a traffic sign / lane markings". Both can apply. Its up to the officer as to which one he issues.

Auckland Suburban:
Unless specifically excluded, cycles, motorcycles, buses, enforcement and emergency service vehicles can use suburban bus lanes. If you are entitiled to use a suburban bus lane then you can take advantage of the pre-emption signal (often called the B signal).

An example of a specifically excluded area is the part of Wellesley Street, Auckland Central between Kitchener Street & Queen Street. Buses only period - no other types of vehicles. If you are not entitled to use a suburban bus lane you will be issued with an infringement notice. The fine is $150.

I hope this helps. Safe riding out there.

[sAsLEX]

This thread just goes on and on with arguments for and against but i will now simplify it into 2 categories on how i expect my staff to enforce this alleged confusing area (which isnt really confusing at all):

Auckland Motorway:
Generally an emergency shoulder modified for Bus use only during peak flow times. If any vehicle other than a bus is using the emergency shoulder they will receive an infringement notice. The actual fine is $750 although most get the $150. Both are correct infringements however the $750 is for "driving / riding a vehicle along a bus lane on the motorway" whereas the $150 is for "failed to comply with a traffic sign / lane markings". Both can apply. Its up to the officer as to which one he issues.

Auckland Suburban:
Unless specifically excluded, cycles, motorcycles, buses, enforcement and emergency service vehicles can use suburban bus lanes. If you are entitiled to use a suburban bus lane then you can take advantage of the pre-emption signal (often called the B signal).

An example of a specifically excluded area is the part of Wellesley Street, Auckland Central between Kitchener Street & Queen Street. Buses only period - no other types of vehicles. If you are not entitled to use a suburban bus lane you will be issued with an infringement notice. The fine is $150.

I hope this helps. Safe riding out there.

Thanks for the clarification.

It is a shame you don't follow the law. The 'Bus lanes' as you call them on the MW are signed the same as every other Bus lane I have seen so lead to a bit of difficulty for one who has read the legislation and hasn't seen the specific exclusion on the MW as there is not one there.

Where in the law does it say Bikes can use the B light?

And can you post the text of the specific exclusion, and higlight the bit that 'specifiically' identifies bikes as excluded