Ask Phoebe: Lane dodgers are being watched

[WelshWizard]

Ask Phoebe quote
"No, motorcycles will be prohibited from using the busway, as they are on all motorway bus lanes. The busway is only for buses although there are mutterings about allowing HOVs (high occupancy vehicles) on the busway when it is completely open in February."

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/stor...ectid=10481954
I thought Bikes in bus lanes was covered by the government, so is she right saying we can't use the bus lane

[quallman1234]

God she's ugly!

[Matt_TG]

I think it's been covered on KB before, it's my understanding that local authorities can make bus lanes usable by bicycles and motorcycles etc (as they are in Tauranga) but highways and Transit operated roads are buses only unless stated to the contrary.

[HDTboy]

Because of the speed that buses will travel at on the busway, it is thought that it would be dangerous to allow smaller vehicles like motorcycles to share the lanes.

[sprag]

My understanding is, "bus lane" = bikes can use apart from motor way ones "bus only" = just that.

I am sure on the motorway now however it does say "bus only" at the start of each bus lane.

[Donor]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/stor...ectid=10481954
I thought Bikes in bus lanes was covered by the government, so is she right saying we can't use the bus lane

Yes.

Yes she is.

[bobsmith]

Okay... This has been covered a million times but look at this:

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roa...s/rur-qas.html

It states that motorcycles can use bus lanes unless it is specifically excluded. If it says it's a bus lane or a transit lane and it doesn't say no motorbikes, motorbikes can use it. I see that the "ask phoebe" page hints otherwise so I sent them an email asking them to review what they wrote there with the link.

Now about the busway... the chicky buggers have called it a busway not a buslane. Also they have the power to exclude motorcyclists specifically even if they didn't. Though the argument about buses moving fast is a load of crap since motorbikes will be going faster anyway...

[vifferman]

Quite frankly, although there are times when it's convenient to use a bus lane, by and large I would've want to use one of the motorway bus lanes.
Think about it: the chances of being wedged between two buses (and unable to pass) is high; if you're behind a bus you can't see ahead and don't get any fresh/cooling air, just fumes; and the road's likely to be all oily and probably covered in diesel puddles (no thanks!).

[Swoop]

Added to all of the crap that finds its way onto that part of the road, no thanks. (The busses then shift that onto the bicycle lanes... but that is a different story altogether).

With the amount of bikes I have seen recently using them... not surprising that another blitzkreig will commence.

[90s]

Okay... This has been covered a million times ... the chicky buggers have called it a busway not a buslane.

And so it has!
And as it is a motorway hard shoulder and not really a motorway lane this gives them the power to argue it is not a "bus lane". And so we are excluded.

Though the argument about buses moving fast is a load of crap since motorbikes will be going faster anyway...

Of course, everyone is doing the legal speed limit, so no problem? -

[2Cycle]

Quote NZ Herald "Because of the speed that buses will travel at on the busway, it is thought that it would be dangerous to allow smaller vehicles like motorcycles to share the lanes."

Yeah those busses are pretty fast these days. Might have to get a Hayabusa so I can go on the bus lane with the Buses

BTW the speed limit on the Northern busway is 80, I'm sure we could all cope with sharing at such a speed. If they allow HOV's and not bikes, there would be some anger here.

[sAsLEX]

I think it's been covered on KB before, it's my understanding that local authorities can make bus lanes usable by bicycles and motorcycles etc (as they are in Tauranga) but highways and Transit operated roads are buses only unless stated to the contrary.

WRONG!

My understanding is, "bus lane" = bikes can use apart from motor way ones "bus only" = just that.

I am sure on the motorway now however it does say "bus only" at the start of each bus lane.

TECHNICALLY WRONG

We can use bus lanes unless we are "specifically excluded" ie NO MOTORCYCLES



But the powers that be have decided not to read their own law and sign them however they wish and expect people to interpret the signs in the correct manner

[swbarnett]

In the section on HOVs from the busway web site (http://www.busway.co.nz/index.php/BR...he_busway/HOVS) it is stated:

"No other private vehicles, motorcycles or bicycles will be permitted to use the busway."

This is a major about face from the original plan. Prior to the start of construction I made an enquiry by e-mail to the North Shore city council and was told that motorcycles would most definately be allowed to use the busway. After construction had started I e-mailed them again and was told that yes, motorcycles would be allowed but only after completion of improvements to the victoria park viaduct.

And our elected officials wonder why we don't trust them!

[boomer]

ahhaha they're down on the wterfront EVERY morning, two of 'em with there vid cameras and theres another one going up khyber pass.

I usually wheelie past the pair on the waterfront.. the cagers love it. Sat gridlocked as i ride past on one wheel ...... aiiii

[90s]

WRONG!



TECHNICALLY WRONG

We can use bus lanes unless we are "specifically excluded" ie NO MOTORCYCLES



But the powers that be have decided not to read their own law and sign them however they wish and expect people to interpret the signs in the correct manner

WRONG!

As explained elsewhere the motorway bus "lanes" are not buslanes, but hard shoulders in use for another purpose governed by special rules. Motorbikes are posted here a specifically excluded.