Using clearways to avoid traffic

[d00nson]

Hi all,

Tried searching the forums and the RTA website with no joy.

What's the low down on using clearways in general and specifically on the eastern distributor to avoid traffic congestion? P.S. it's a cycle lane (i.e. has a bicycle symbol sprayed on the road)

cheers,
Alex

[robracer]

has a bicycle symbol sprayed on the road

Answer........Just chalk in a motor & you are set

[photomike666]

Your motorcycle has two wheel and is therefore a bicycle - how that stands with the boys in blue is another matter.

[dave#3]

Technically it's illegal to ride in a bicycle lane - punishment was a fine only last time I checked. It's also illegal to ride in a breakdown lane, and the punishment for that was 3 points and a fine last time I checked. The easiest solution is to not get caught

[DMonkey]

Yes it is illegal ,it is a break down lane
I ride that road ever day, (Have done so for a bit over 6 months) have only once seen police on it... It was a motorbike copper so I stayed correctly in my lane
Have heard they occasionally do stings... Haven't seen any I know I look a long way ahead when I am in that lane though just in case
Have also been told they can do you for undertaking for every car you pass if they want to.... (not 100%)
Though be careful riding in it there is a lot of debris in that lane so watch yourself. Pretty sure that lane was the culprit for the screw I round in my back time a few months ago... Or maybe it was just my messy garage lol

[Naked Twin]

In short don't do it if you value the licence. It is the same as using the emergency break down lane.

Nick

[Jennysc]

I got done last easter going up the inside of the traffic on the F3, trying to avoid the banked up cars and get onto the kuringai exit, they were waiting in the exit lane behind the trees catching people doing exactly that. We were a slice* of lemmings and about 5 of us got done one after the other, 2 points and about $184 fine. It was only about 100 metres and he was a grumpy old bastard....... Happy Easter to you too !!

* A group of lemmings is called a Slice, as defined by WikiAnswers !!

[Gosling1]

a 'slice' of lemmings ?? wow - its true, you do learn something every day ! thanks for that Jen.

Down here in Anarchy Road - m/cycles are permitted to use nearly all T2 and T3 transit lanes ( ie - busways). Which is great, because most of the cycleways stop when the busways start !! and who want to get abused by a cranky treadlie rider for using their turf ?

[smithy5]

Here is a short answer... http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maint ... e.158+0+N/

and the long answer...... http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewt ... 008+fn+0+N

and my advice........... Depends what you say if you get caught and how deep are your pockets if you want to argue

[d00nson]

Thanks for the advice. So does that mean the ones I see doing it are either ignorant, in denial or think it's worth the risk?
It is a huuuuuuge time saver in the morning and I'm not sure lane splitting in moving traffic would go down much better with the boys in blue. Is there any hard and fast rules with non stationary traffic?

Smithy: I've read the short version and I'm still confused. It was obviously written by a non-biker. My pokets are definately not as deep as the State...I've taken other traffic issues to court before.

[smithy5]

Smithy: I've read the short version and I'm still confused. It was obviously written by a non-biker. My pokets are definately not as deep as the State...I've taken other traffic issues to court before.

Like most rules they are subject to a difference of opinion. Yours, the Plod and the Judge. That's why I said it depends on what you say if you get caught.....
I read the rule to state that you can ride in a bike lane for up to 50 mtrs and other special lanes for up to 100 mtrs, for a number of exclusive reasons.... So if you can convince the plod that you were only in the bike lane for 50 mtrs because of "bla" "bla" "bla"........ You might get away with it.

[mick_dundee]

A law recently came to fruition here in Mexico that you can pass vehicles on the left, we can also use Transit lanes here, not however, bicycle lanes, emergency lanes or bus lanes, at least not yet