KEY POINTS:
What are the conditions of use for the cycleway that follows the Northwestern Motorway? On numerous mornings I have noticed motor scooters and smallish motorbikes using the cycleway rather than the motorway. I was under the impression that the cycleway was for pedestrians and cyclists. Am I incorrect?
David Wyness, Epsom.
Have faith, Mr Wyness. You are absolutely right. Scooters and motorbikes are classified as motorised vehicles by Land Transport New Zealand, and not allowed on footpaths or cycleways.
The northwestern cycle route is approximately 9km long, and runs from central Auckland to Waterview and on to Te Atatu. About 60 per cent is exclusive cycleway, and the remaining 40 per cent makes use of existing walkways, footpaths and local streets.
Where there is a dedicated bus lane, must buses use it so that they don't clog up the car lanes?
Ross Stevenson, Auckland.
Buses do not have to use bus lanes, but they are advised to where they can. They are faster and more efficient, and travel times are reduced, all of which stimulates more people to use public transport and thus reduce traffic volumes. The Bus and Coach Association encourages its members to use bus lanes.
A similar situation exists for cycle lanes. Cyclists can use general traffic lanes, unless expressly forbidden, such as on motorways, but they should use cycle lanes where they are provided, as they are safer.
Is there a fine for going through a stop sign? If so, it can't be much because drivers treat stop signs as though they were give way signs. If they knew the fine they might stop.
R.H. Mason, Onehunga.
You have more faith in your fellow drivers than I do, Mr Mason. There is a fine for failing to stop at a stop sign and it is $150. The same penalty applies for failing to stop at a red light, and for running an amber light where a motorist could have stopped safely. Sadly, our police force doesn't have the numbers to patrol every stop sign or set of lights but I know they do what they can, and it is cheering to see someone pulled up for these offences.
My question is about feeder lights on motorway onramps. If you approach the lights and you get, say, three car lengths away and the light turns green, can you boot it to fly through in your lane? Or do you have to stop and wait for a green? If you can fly through and another car speeds through in the other lane, it can be dangerous as the two lanes narrow down to one quite quickly.
Bruce Clarke, Te Atatu South.
You stop and wait for a green light, as you must do at any set of traffic lights. To do otherwise is a breach of the law. Once the light is green, you and the car in the other lane can move off and have time to merge before you get to the motorway.
