Cycle laws?

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Cycle laws?

Submitted by anarchacycle on 13 February, 2009 - 18:12
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Hey all,

 Where would one find the laws pertaining to cyclists? i.e the number of cyclists allowed in lane, whether there are laws pertaining to where in the lane one can cycle (i.e is keeping left backed up by law?) etc etc. 

 

Cool!  thanks.

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Submitted by glen on 13 February, 2009 - 22:04

The Road Code is online here and includes some some specific information for cyclists.

The relevant legislation is the Land Transport Road User Rule. E.g. you'll find info on keeping left in Section 2.1 (a "driver" includes all cyclists too).

We have discussed for some years about putting all the cycle-specific legislation/etc on CAN's website; suffice to say it's still on the to-do list...

Submitted by anarchacycle on 14 February, 2009 - 09:20

Thanks for that.

I had seen teh road code but some are just general ideas of safe practice rather than anything backed by legislation.

I wonder if 'as near as practicable to the left' would enable one to leave a safe distance from car doors opening, which would allow one to be riding almost in the middle of the lane at many times.

I suppose that would be something to argue in a court, so it'd be interesting to see if there is any case law out there.

I think getting the legislation etc on here would be great when possible. And the reason I'm asking all this is because I want to put together a cycling 'zine with all the information on your rights, responsibilities etc if you're a cyclist, as well as random other cycle activism stuff.

Submitted by Patrick on 16 February, 2009 - 17:57

For advice on safe practice, start here: Cyclecraft, by John Franklin.
http://can.org.nz/library/cyclecraft-the-complete-guide-to-safe-and-enjo...
Available at Wellington library.

My advice: never ride in the door zone.
Use the primary position (generally in centre of traffic flow) unless there's a good reason not to.
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicular_cycling

and Effective Cycling, John Forester.
and http://can.org.nz/article/cycling-in-secondary-v-primary-position

good luck with the zine. Keep me posted.