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Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:04 pm
by 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

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:06 pm
by robracer
d00nson wrote: has a bicycle symbol sprayed on the road
Answer........Just chalk in a motor & you are set ;)

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:18 pm
by photomike666
Your motorcycle has two wheel and is therefore a bicycle - how that stands with the boys in blue is another matter.

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:47 pm
by 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 ;)

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:08 pm
by 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

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:09 pm
by 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

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:10 pm
by 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 !! :D

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

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:36 pm
by Gosling1
a 'slice' of lemmings ?? wow - its true, you do learn something every day ! :kuda: 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 !! :lol: :lol: and who want to get abused by a cranky treadlie rider for using their turf ?

:twisted:

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:50 pm
by 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 ;) :lol:

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:54 pm
by 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.

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:22 pm
by smithy5
d00nson wrote: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. ;)

Re: Using clearways to avoid traffic

Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:05 pm
by 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 :)