6 September 2012

Bikes lanes are for bicycles

| Rollersk8r
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I’m going to go out on a limb here and make the assumption bike lanes are for bicycles, not motorcycles.

Just then I had a motorbike up my arse on Northbourne, from Elouera Street through to Cooying, revving his engine and muttering at cyclists.

You’re damn right I slowed down on purpose and got in your way, jerk!

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curlylocks said :

Good on you for slowing down what an idiot, unsure if its true in the ACT but laws have just changed in NSW that motor cyclists are allowed to go in between lanes of traffic (in the middle) I have seen numerous do it here so maybe it is the case. But not in a cylce lane!!!!!!!!!!1 some people!!

not quiet true, Motorcycling filtering has been trialed in Sydney CBD on certain roads.

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/australian-first-lane-filtering-trial-motorcyclists-sydney-cbd

“Lane filtering is currently against the law however there will be an exemption for motorcyclists in this part of the CBD which will permit them to filter through traffic when vehicles are stopped at traffic lights,”

KB1971 said :

Mordd said :

Grega said :

At least he paid rego

I’d happily pay rego for my pushbike if it got me the same rights as vehicle owners, would expect the police to then pro-actively enforce the bad behaviour against cyclists though which rarely if ever happens atm.

Or with car drivers, I had two incidents on Tuesday, riding along Bunda St doing the right thing & a knob in a Commodore does an illegal U turn in front of me. This wasnt such a bad thing as it was well in front & no dramas. The problem was when he decided to return to the lane, he just pulled out forcing me across the white lines into the oncoming traffic.

Then there was the bus heading south on Commonwealth ave, it was coming up from Parkes way behind another bus & the driver did not look at all as he was coming up the on ramp. The first bus went well in front of me but & the second one went as well. I had slowed but by the time I realised that the bus was going to go I was up the side of him. It must have been me waving frantically & swearing at him the got his attention in the mirror.

When he went passed there was no hint of an apology.

Both times I was riding legally with a helmet on & the police were nowhere to be seen to reprimand these REGISTERED vehicles for their bad behavoir.

I’m with you. Why can’t they be everywhere at once to catch everyone doing the wrong thing? One day there will be a cop to patrol every street in Canberra. Wouldn’t that be awesome?

fromthecapital said :

With all the discussion of rego, you would think there would be new players to the conversation. Out of interest does anyone know how many square kms of roads we have here in the act?

One normally measures roads using units of length and not area. Sometimes for shits and giggles when planning a journey, I use ångström’s.

fromthecapital12:29 am 11 Mar 13

With all the discussion of rego, you would think there would be new players to the conversation. Out of interest does anyone know how many square kms of roads we have here in the act?

fromthecapital12:22 am 11 Mar 13

Solidarity said :

I saw a dude riding a black sportsbike and tapping all the cyclists on the bum as he rode past. I laughed, it confused all the cyclists.

How many times are you going to this old one out?

Sandman said :

Good, I’d rather wait those few extra seconds than have to wash blood off the front of my truck.

If, as you’ve made clear here, you’re in any danger of hitting someone on a pedestrian crossing, then please do the public a favour – go to your local ACT government shopfront and hand in your licence for the good of everyone. You’ve made an admission that you don’t have the basic skills to be on the road.

Nobody should be so surprised by someone appearing suddenly on a crossing that they might hit them – whether it be someone on roller blades, a pedestrian in a hurry, or a cyclist breaking the law.

resident_weevil said :

The next time I’m thinking of riding my bike across a pedestrian crossing, I will ride to the edge, stop, and walk my bike slowly across, all the while hoping it’s you in the car.

Good, I’d rather wait those few extra seconds than have to wash blood off the front of my truck. Except instead of “next time” make it “all the time” and perhaps you can spread the word amongst your Lycra brethren. They don’t listen to anyone else. Perhaps they’ll listen to one of their own.

Masquara said :

Yes, exactly, dismounting and walking across is exactly what you are supposed to do. You are quite entitled to walk across very slowly if that is what you would like to do.

or doing a speed dismount and landing running next to the bike is fine too.

Isn’t the issue we don’t want people entering the crossing at speed?
Simply making cyclists dismount does nothing for runners, bladers or skaters.

Also, some crossings have bike lights where it is legal to ride across. There’s no signs to alert drivers to this.

resident_weevil said :

Masquara said :

milkman said :

what_the said :

I love it how cyclists demand they share the road with road vehicles but when another two wheeled vehicle wants to play in their sand box they have a cry! Hilarious! There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

+1.

Make that +2. Same cyclists grizzling on this topic that insist on riding across PEDESTRIAN crossings.

The next time I’m thinking of riding my bike across a pedestrian crossing, I will ride to the edge, stop, and walk my bike slowly across, all the while hoping it’s you in the car.

Yes, exactly, dismounting and walking across is exactly what you are supposed to do. You are quite entitled to walk across very slowly if that is what you would like to do.

screaming banshee4:09 pm 10 Mar 13

resident_weevil said :

Masquara said :

milkman said :

what_the said :

I love it how cyclists demand they share the road with road vehicles but when another two wheeled vehicle wants to play in their sand box they have a cry! Hilarious! There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

+1.

Make that +2. Same cyclists grizzling on this topic that insist on riding across PEDESTRIAN crossings.

The next time I’m thinking of riding my bike across a pedestrian crossing, I will ride to the edge, stop, and walk my bike slowly across, all the while hoping it’s you in the car.

Do me a favour and do it when there a kids with bikes crossing also, how can we expect young people to follow the rules if everyone else just rides across a pedestrian crossing.

Alderney said :

what_the said :

I love it how cyclists demand they share the road with road vehicles but when another two wheeled vehicle wants to play in their sand box they have a cry! Hilarious! There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

I can think of two. Firstly, you’re not allowed to cross an unbroken line. You know, the one that separates the bike lane from traffic. Secondly, motorcycles do not fit the description of a bicycle in the ARR.

And another thing (about your claim that cyclists demand to share the road), cyclists are allowed on the road under the ARR, but other vehicles are not allowed in the bike lane under the same.

Some people’s ignorance of the most simple of rules that govern life is simply astounding.

And to the idiot who brought ip the pedestrian crossing chestnut, somebody somewhere once murdered someone. By your logic everyones a murderer. Your argument is mute.

I ride bikes, both with and without engines.

Not with me you don’t, what a silly string of comments.

To say cyclists are allowed to break some rules but you are upset when a motorcyclist breaks a rule is hypocrisy at its finest. Cyclists ride through pedestrian crossings, and travel across the sacred unbroken line but you want to commit further illegal acts when a motorcyclist travels in a bicycle lane which may or may not have been withing them turning the corner in the next 40 metres? Seriously, the most over-pampered transport group on the planet.

Someone mentioned Rego – that is for your car/motorbike/vehicle and you get services for that. How about the Lycra crowd start reaching into their pockets to start financing their own expectations *Crickets*

what_the said :

I love it how cyclists demand they share the road with road vehicles but when another two wheeled vehicle wants to play in their sand box they have a cry! Hilarious! There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

I can think of two. Firstly, you’re not allowed to cross an unbroken line. You know, the one that separates the bike lane from traffic. Secondly, motorcycles do not fit the description of a bicycle in the ARR.

And another thing (about your claim that cyclists demand to share the road), cyclists are allowed on the road under the ARR, but other vehicles are not allowed in the bike lane under the same.

Some people’s ignorance of the most simple of rules that govern life is simply astounding.

And to the idiot who brought ip the pedestrian crossing chestnut, somebody somewhere once murdered someone. By your logic everyones a murderer. Your argument is mute.

I ride bikes, both with and without engines.

curlylocks said :

unsure if its true in the ACT but laws have just changed in NSW that motor cyclists are allowed to go in between lanes of traffic (in the middle)

Unfortunately not, though with ACT Drivers that may not be a bad thing. It is legal to overtake on the right in the same lane, how else would anyone overtake cyclists legally ? Only cyclists are allowed to overtake on the left in the same lane.
(the number of people who can’t distinguish same lane, from different lane is disturbing).

Good on you for slowing down what an idiot, unsure if its true in the ACT but laws have just changed in NSW that motor cyclists are allowed to go in between lanes of traffic (in the middle) I have seen numerous do it here so maybe it is the case. But not in a cylce lane!!!!!!!!!!1 some people!!

Masquara said :

milkman said :

what_the said :

I love it how cyclists demand they share the road with road vehicles but when another two wheeled vehicle wants to play in their sand box they have a cry! Hilarious! There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

+1.

Make that +2. Same cyclists grizzling on this topic that insist on riding across PEDESTRIAN crossings.

Are you cretins still whinging about this. Here’s an idea. Get over it.

what_the said :

There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

My not trying bike lane speed there is 40 something, The moto was definitely going over 30 most of the time, but still slower than I would have been. I wouldn’t have minded so much if he’d waited the few seconds and pulled out behind me. His failure to appreciate that, in those conditions, his motorbike was a slower vehicle than my bicycle is reason to keep it illegal

resident_weevil3:28 pm 09 Mar 13

Masquara said :

milkman said :

what_the said :

I love it how cyclists demand they share the road with road vehicles but when another two wheeled vehicle wants to play in their sand box they have a cry! Hilarious! There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

+1.

Make that +2. Same cyclists grizzling on this topic that insist on riding across PEDESTRIAN crossings.

The next time I’m thinking of riding my bike across a pedestrian crossing, I will ride to the edge, stop, and walk my bike slowly across, all the while hoping it’s you in the car.

Mike Bessenger2:02 pm 09 Mar 13

what_the said :

There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic

Should be able or shouldn’t???
Assuming you mean should – Then I agree.
Assuming you mean shouldn’t – Wouldn’t the law be a good enough reason.

milkman said :

what_the said :

I love it how cyclists demand they share the road with road vehicles but when another two wheeled vehicle wants to play in their sand box they have a cry! Hilarious! There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

+1.

Make that +2. Same cyclists grizzling on this topic that insist on riding across PEDESTRIAN crossings.

milkman said :

what_the said :

I love it how cyclists demand they share the road with road vehicles but when another two wheeled vehicle wants to play in their sand box they have a cry! Hilarious! There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

+1.

-30

what_the said :

I love it how cyclists demand they share the road with road vehicles but when another two wheeled vehicle wants to play in their sand box they have a cry! Hilarious! There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

+1.

I love it how cyclists demand they share the road with road vehicles but when another two wheeled vehicle wants to play in their sand box they have a cry! Hilarious! There’s no reason that motorcycles should be able to use on-road cycle lanes in times of banked up traffic (if they travel at a reasonable speed <30 and not try and overtake cyclists if they're in the lane).

Yesterday, I had a moto pull out in front of me heading down Caswell Drive.
The bastard held me up, cost me at least 100m before I switched to the path off the Parkway ramp.

Grega said :

Trailers are registered!

light trailers aren’t registered in VIC or WA.
Makes for fun if you need to cross the border to pick something up.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd3:17 pm 17 Sep 12

Good on you for not being intimidated op. I would have done the same thing.

Solidarity said :

I saw a dude riding a black sportsbike and tapping all the cyclists on the bum as he rode past. I laughed, it confused all the cyclists.

Haha. That would have been pretty funny to see.

helium said :

ARR 153 Bicycle Lanes (extract)
“A driver (except the rider of a bicycle) must not drive in a bicycle lane, unless the driver is permitted to drive in the bicycle lane under this rule or rule 158.”

The Police are reluctant to book any vehicle in a bicycle lane however as there is this ‘fuzzy’ rule that does not describe what is ‘necessary’ ? stopped traffic, slow traffic ?

“if it is necessary for the driver to drive in the lane: (a) to enter or leave the road; ….a driver may drive for up to 50 metres”

So if the Motorbike was 50m from an intersection and they are turning left, they can’t be booked.

THIS. It’s not always illegal.

Continue with your regularly scheduled crying, RA.

Rollersk8r said :

Grega said :

Trailers are registered, ride on lawn mowers are registered if the traverse roads as are golf carts. Why are bikes special? They require no license and can use roads paths and cycle ways. They are a protected species. They ride on crossings, run red lights and whinge like teenage girls. They should be fined for breaking road law and if they have a license, cop demerit points. Ride on the road, pay like everybody else!

Yes, bikes are special, in their own class, all other recreational machines require registration and licence – like skateboards, roller skates, segways, scooters, boogie boards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats…

shoes…

Grega said :

Trailers are registered, ride on lawn mowers are registered if the traverse roads as are golf carts. Why are bikes special? They require no license and can use roads paths and cycle ways. They are a protected species. They ride on crossings, run red lights and whinge like teenage girls. They should be fined for breaking road law and if they have a license, cop demerit points. Ride on the road, pay like everybody else!

Yes, bikes are special, in their own class, all other recreational machines require registration and licence – like skateboards, roller skates, segways, scooters, boogie boards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats…

Grega said :

Trailers are registered, ride on lawn mowers are registered if the traverse roads as are golf carts. Why are bikes special? They require no license and can use roads paths and cycle ways. They are a protected species. They ride on crossings, run red lights and whinge like teenage girls. They should be fined for breaking road law and if they have a license, cop demerit points. Ride on the road, pay like everybody else!

Do you always accuse other people of whinging in the middle of your big girly whinges?

Grega said :

Trailers are registered, ride on lawn mowers are registered if the traverse roads as are golf carts. Why are bikes special? They require no license and can use roads paths and cycle ways. They are a protected species. They ride on crossings, run red lights and whinge like teenage girls. They should be fined for breaking road law and if they have a license, cop demerit points. Ride on the road, pay like everybody else!

Oh gawd, you are new at this arent you?

Trailers are registered, ride on lawn mowers are registered if the traverse roads as are golf carts. Why are bikes special? They require no license and can use roads paths and cycle ways. They are a protected species. They ride on crossings, run red lights and whinge like teenage girls. They should be fined for breaking road law and if they have a license, cop demerit points. Ride on the road, pay like everybody else!

KB1971 said :

KB1971 said :

Mordd said :

Grega said :

At least he paid rego

I’d happily pay rego for my pushbike if it got me the same rights as vehicle owners, would expect the police to then pro-actively enforce the bad behaviour against cyclists though which rarely if ever happens atm.

Or with car drivers, I had two incidents on Tuesday, riding along Bunda St doing the right thing & a knob in a Commodore does an illegal U turn in front of me. This wasnt such a bad thing as it was well in front & no dramas. The problem was when he decided to return to the lane, he just pulled out forcing me across the white lines into the oncoming traffic.

Then there was the bus heading south on Commonwealth ave, it was coming up from Parkes way behind another bus & the driver did not look at all as he was coming up the on ramp. The first bus went well in front of me but & the second one went as well. I had slowed but by the time I realised that the bus was going to go I was up the side of him. It must have been me waving frantically & swearing at him the got his attention in the mirror.

When he went passed there was no hint of an apology.

Both times I was riding legally with a helmet on & the police were nowhere to be seen to reprimand these REGISTERED vehicles for their bad behavoir.

Morrd, this is not a direct g at you, just a bit of a rant after reading some of the dick head comments in the they see me rollin thread about the old guy using his mobility scooter in the bike lane.

All good mate, I don’t take anything on RA personally anyway, I’ve always been happy to consider a registration scheme for bicyles though, its an interesting issue in and of itself but I sometimes its used to try and distract from another issue being discussed, so I just wanted to get out there that there are cyclists that would rego their bike if required.

KB1971 said :

Mordd said :

Grega said :

At least he paid rego

I’d happily pay rego for my pushbike if it got me the same rights as vehicle owners, would expect the police to then pro-actively enforce the bad behaviour against cyclists though which rarely if ever happens atm.

Or with car drivers, I had two incidents on Tuesday, riding along Bunda St doing the right thing & a knob in a Commodore does an illegal U turn in front of me. This wasnt such a bad thing as it was well in front & no dramas. The problem was when he decided to return to the lane, he just pulled out forcing me across the white lines into the oncoming traffic.

Then there was the bus heading south on Commonwealth ave, it was coming up from Parkes way behind another bus & the driver did not look at all as he was coming up the on ramp. The first bus went well in front of me but & the second one went as well. I had slowed but by the time I realised that the bus was going to go I was up the side of him. It must have been me waving frantically & swearing at him the got his attention in the mirror.

When he went passed there was no hint of an apology.

Both times I was riding legally with a helmet on & the police were nowhere to be seen to reprimand these REGISTERED vehicles for their bad behavoir.

Morrd, this is not a direct g at you, just a bit of a rant after reading some of the dick head comments in the they see me rollin thread about the old guy using his mobility scooter in the bike lane.

Mordd said :

Grega said :

At least he paid rego

I’d happily pay rego for my pushbike if it got me the same rights as vehicle owners, would expect the police to then pro-actively enforce the bad behaviour against cyclists though which rarely if ever happens atm.

Or with car drivers, I had two incidents on Tuesday, riding along Bunda St doing the right thing & a knob in a Commodore does an illegal U turn in front of me. This wasnt such a bad thing as it was well in front & no dramas. The problem was when he decided to return to the lane, he just pulled out forcing me across the white lines into the oncoming traffic.

Then there was the bus heading south on Commonwealth ave, it was coming up from Parkes way behind another bus & the driver did not look at all as he was coming up the on ramp. The first bus went well in front of me but & the second one went as well. I had slowed but by the time I realised that the bus was going to go I was up the side of him. It must have been me waving frantically & swearing at him the got his attention in the mirror.

When he went passed there was no hint of an apology.

Both times I was riding legally with a helmet on & the police were nowhere to be seen to reprimand these REGISTERED vehicles for their bad behavoir.

Grega said :

At least he paid rego

I’d happily pay rego for my pushbike if it got me the same rights as vehicle owners, would expect the police to then pro-actively enforce the bad behaviour against cyclists though which rarely if ever happens atm.

Grega said :

At least he paid rego

how do you know OP doesn’t have a car?

Grega said :

At least he paid rego

Still doesnt allow him to use the lane………

At least he paid rego

Sounds familiar – a few weeks ago someone (possibly the same motorcyclist) did the same thing. He got in the cycle lane, right behind a cyclist waiting at a red light at the Northbourne Av/Barry Drv intersection. The motorcycle guy revved loudly several times to try and hurry the rider out of the way. The cyclist didn’t move off until it was safe, at which point the arrogant motorcyclist roared off left and down Barry Drive.

Good work for slowing down and creating the desired irritating effect 🙂

I saw a dude riding a black sportsbike and tapping all the cyclists on the bum as he rode past. I laughed, it confused all the cyclists.

ARR 153 Bicycle Lanes (extract)
“A driver (except the rider of a bicycle) must not drive in a bicycle lane, unless the driver is permitted to drive in the bicycle lane under this rule or rule 158.”

The Police are reluctant to book any vehicle in a bicycle lane however as there is this ‘fuzzy’ rule that does not describe what is ‘necessary’ ? stopped traffic, slow traffic ?

“if it is necessary for the driver to drive in the lane: (a) to enter or leave the road; ….a driver may drive for up to 50 metres”

So if the Motorbike was 50m from an intersection and they are turning left, they can’t be booked.

AAMC said :

“2 motorcycle only lanes” on northbourne……where? and i’m riding with cars like a sucker

Why right between the three regular lanes of course…

Conan of Cooma12:19 pm 06 Sep 12

Someone on a Canberra road wasn’t doing the right thing? Breaking news, right here!

I must admit that in the past I have supported motorcycles using the on road bicycle lanes if they were speed limited to say 20 or 30 km/h and always had to give way to pushies from any direction. The problem is the idiots who would ruin it for everyone, behave like they own the lane and would go too fast making it too dangerous for pushies using the lane and for cars that are turning left and don’t see them in their blind spot.

However, I do think the distinction is now very blurred between bicycles, road legal electric bicycles (I think it’s now around 250 watts), readily available illegal electric (which you can now buy up to 1000 watts) and petrol powered bicycles, very small capacity motorcycles (ie around 50-90cc), rego classified small capacity motorcycles (300cc) and learner legal motorcycles. For example, I think posties can ride anywhere on their 90cc bikes but you can’t ride an unregistered 250+watt electric bicycle anywhere.

tiliqua said :

Stupid motorcyclist. There are 5 other lanes he could have used, in particular, the 2 motorcycle only lanes that are available when the other three are clogged with cars. No need to ride in the gutter!

“2 motorcycle only lanes” on northbourne……where? and i’m riding with cars like a sucker

The cycling lane is used and abused for any purpose.
At least that’s how the motoring community in Canberra treats it.

1. For Parking – Especially those just outside of Novotel on Northbourne Ave.

2. For getting out of intersections when the light turns red –
This numpty motorist was going to get caught in the intersection of Northbourne and Elouera (heading south) so he decided to barge in to the cycling lane.
As a cyclist I almost got cleaned up thanks to his quick dumbass thinking.

Huh, I would have been very tempted if this was me to hop off my bike, turn it side on across the bike lan, and stand behind it video taping motorbike man coming at me on my mobile phone and make clear I would not be moving out of his way – then again I enjoy confronting idiots like this and have a reckless disregard for my own personal safety so I guess this tactic wouldn’t be for everyone……

he is a d***head. I had one pass me on the inside while I was in the bicycle lane on Northbourne a few months ago, frightened the hell out of me. He was riding a red Kawasaki ZZ250R if I recall correctly. yep, that is a learners motorcycle.

The lights and my destination allowed him to get away but as both a cyclist and a motorcyclist dangerous idiots like this burn me up.

Stupid motorcyclist. There are 5 other lanes he could have used, in particular, the 2 motorcycle only lanes that are available when the other three are clogged with cars. No need to ride in the gutter!

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