I used the main road yesterday to travel from Nortghlands Mall to Kaiapoi. The bus lanes were empty and traffic was held more than usual by frequent traffic lights. As there was only a single lane one lot of lights would change but traffic didn't move as there were too many cars in the single lane. This might have been a good idea on paper, but in practice it is causing more headaches for road users.

*sigh* Dave, I used to have a lot of respect for you (as I remember you wrote one of the most even handed motorist/cyclist/pedestrian what each expect from the other posts I've ever read), but for the 2nd time this week, epic law fail. Seriously, make sure you get it right before you bother. Two points as per Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 (SR 2004/427) (as at 01 November 2009): 1. Clause 2.3 (1) A driver, when driving, must not use— (f) a special vehicle lane reserved for a specific class or classes of vehicle unless— (i) the vehicle is one of the class or classes of vehicle for which the lane is reserved; or (ii) the vehicle is an emergency vehicle being used in an emergency. Translation: Bus lanes are NOT there to keep cyclists and buses in, but to keep cars out. So you're "oh they do what they like" - well they're damn well allowed to choose whichever lane they want to within the law unless its expressed otherwise. 2. Clause 11.11 11.11 Riding cycles on footpaths, etc (1) A person must not ride a cycle on a footpath or on a lawn, garden, or other cultivation forming part of a road. (2) Subclause (1) does not apply to a person who rides a cycle on a footpath in the course of delivering newspapers, mail, or printed material to letterboxes. Translation: Cyclists, keep off the footpath. "Mind you a lot of pedallers have the sense to mount the pavement to avoid buses and they're much less of a problem and their pedestrian slalom is such a fun thing to watch." That line just makes you sound completely clueless. The sad thing is those riders who do so obviously don't have the confidence to have to sit in with 10 tonne vehicles - now I wonder why that is? Could never be our piss poor driving behaviour in this country now could it? Also, for your door thing the other day, this is the exact law: Clause 7.2 Use of doors(1) A person must not cause a hazard to any person by opening or closing a door of a motor vehicle, or by leaving the door of a motor vehicle open. (2) A driver of a school bus or passenger service vehicle or light rail vehicle must ensure that any door used for the entrance or exit of passengers is not open while the bus or vehicle is in motion. A.K.A it doesn't matter if the person hit you was on a bike, in a car or in a steam powered vehicle, same law applies. Its clear there that you obviously just don't know the law. Thing is Dave, as I said, I used to have a lot of respect for you however somewhere along the line you've turned into a cross between Paul Henry and the (only, most bus drivers are great) road raging bus driver I had to deal with a few months back. Not a good look.

Damn thing didn't paragraph properly.

My apologies :(

Maybe I just read this differently Trickster, but I didn't see any mention of the law(s) that you are referring to in the blog.

I simply saw this as an observation of what is currently happening on the roads and not requiring a rant. Bus lanes in the city I live in also have the same problems as Dave has highlighted, regardless of the law.

Remembering of course that DRIVERS pay road user charges in one form or another yet we don't get any "special treatment". Buses seem to get special treatment yet have done nothing to ease congestion by encouraging new passengers while cyclists (which I also am one of) pay nothing but seem to bleat rather loudly about their treatment by motorists.

Sounds like you should become a bus driver yourself, Dave. Then you could make more use of a (rare) good thing happening on our country's roads. But no - like most nimby selfish car owner/drivers in New Zealand, you think your individual right to drive comes before better public transport access.

What a pathetic argument this whole post is. Get off your high horse and try to be constructive about public transport. Heaven knows the country has been missing good public transport investment and design for well over 50 years!

Btw - Where exactly are the "Most cities in which I have travelled"? Los Angeles? Priority (Bus) lanes I have enjoyed overseas have been for use by buses, taxis, emergency vehicles and cyclists - yes - actively welcoming cyclists.

Get out of your car and stop abusing the rest of us (non-car-supremacist) road users.

@#2 The Trickster - nice work - all to often you hear car-supremacists mouthing off incorrect or distorted perceptions of the law.

Blogger - What cities have you travelled to that have opened bus lanes to high occupancy vehicles (besides lanes on motorways that is!)? I think a quick survey of 'rush hour' traffic in CHCH will show an average of 1 point something people per vehicle, I dont see a rush to car pooling to take advantage of a high occupancy lane.

I love my car, bus lanes frustrate me. However, if we are to get people into public transport that works, then the public transport has to take priority. Build it, they will come (eventually), dont build it, they cant...

Funny, a man sitting in a car, stuck in traffic, complaining about the empty buses driving past him. Gee how far do you need to look to find the solution.....

The reason cyclists bike in bus lanes, is that if they ride in the car lane, they run the very real risk of getting sandwiched between a bus and a car as has almost happened to me several times. By riding in the bus lane, buses are forced to go round you and give you space.

It amuses me when drivers who have never ridden a bike in heavy traffic critize cyclists for this type of thing. If every person was forced to spend a few days cycling in a major city during rush hour, how their opinions would change.

In Wellington they are used for Bus only areas within town, that cars are never allowed to use. Which makes the Bus system much more effecient and quick through busy town areas.

Dave mate! I see your point. Look at the picture with all those pesky pedestrians running in front of the god fearing law abiding cars and those crazy cyclists, look at them, hundreds running red lights, causing chaos, ruining your day. As your opinion clearly demonstrates along with the implication in the photo, I would guess 99% of all cyclists are baddies, just like the one in the picture breaking the law by.... hang o, remind me again, what law is the cyclist breaking.

Why is it you have no issue with the car in the front holding up all those other cars. Where's the difference?