Need advice on laws to cycling

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Need advice on laws to cycling

Submitted by donttouchmyfood on 20 January, 2010 - 13:36
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Just wanting to know what the laws are around cyclist and speed,  Do we abide by speed rules like other road users?

Also if i am travelling faster than the car in frount of me am i allowed to  pass them and on which side of their vehicle do i pass

 

I got myself in to a bit of a pickle with a motorist who pulled out in frount of me as i was overtaking a car on the inside and the motorist who pulled out hit me or i hit her rather,  She pulled out of a side street and was supposed to give way,  She had enough time before the car to go but as i was passing that car at that particurlar time she can't of seen me,  I can't help but think this is my own fault for not knowing the information i needed to know before giving cycling a go this has hindered my desire to jump back on a bike at all Was i in the wrong and what can i do next time?

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Submitted by npcycle on 20 January, 2010 - 14:34

1) Speed rules - yes, they apply to all.

2) Passing cars - yes, you can *overtake*, i.e. pass on the right.

3) Undertaking (passing on the left). This question relates to the diaphanous cycle lane...

Imaginary Q&A with LTNZ:

Q: in a no overtaking zone can a motor car pass a cyclist?
A: Of course, anything else would be stupid! The cyclist is in the cycle "lane" to the left of the car, so technically this is not overtaking!

Q: so a cyclist can pass on the left of a car as they're in a separate "lane"?
A: Of course not, they would be stupid! That "lane" only exists if it is the car passing the cyclist! Why do you think it is called diaphanous?

3) Redux: no you cannot legally undertake unless you are in a different lane, just as in a car.

HTH

Submitted by glen on 26 January, 2010 - 15:35

There is an exception to that rule: you can legally overtake/undertake on the LH side in the same lane (i.e. no cycle lane present) IF the vehicle you are passing is stationary.

I imagine that this rule was dreamed up for passing vehicles stopping to turn right. Cyclists however encounter this situation a lot when adjacent motor traffic is heavily congested and cyclists are able to travel faster than them.

BUT if traffic is "stop-start" then technically the cyclist's ability to legally overtake on the left is "start-stop" (which causes problems if there is a crash). Practically speaking this is a nonsense, but we haven't been able to sort out this ambiguity with NZTA or the Police yet.

Short answer: in congested traffic circumstances, overtaking on the left even without a cycle lane should be OK, but keep an eye out for turning/crossing traffic as the Police may cite a technicality in case of a crash.

Submitted by npcycle on 28 January, 2010 - 18:39

Yes, the "lane" is diaphanous ;-)

There must be an exception (whether its been formalized is a different matter) for those wide inside left/straight lanes at intersections - vehicles can pass on the left when intending to turn.

Submitted by donttouchmyfood on 20 January, 2010 - 14:49

Thankyou so much i will give it another go more informed this time.