aws
Member
My view of the "lane-sharing" situation here in New Zealand (others may have slightly different views):
There is a lot of discussion on local forums (KiwiBiker) about the legality of lane-sharing. While not specifically banned, the consensus seems to be that it is not legal to overtake to the left (right) of a moving vehicle while in the same lane. (Bear in mind that we drive on the left hand side of the road here - so I've added the opposite in brackets for those who drive on the right). There appears to be no real ban on overtaking to the right (left) in the same lane.
So in theory, bikes can lane-share as long as they stay on the left (right) hand side of the lane lines. In practice, this is difficult to do since most car drivers tend to drive closer to the right (left) hand side of their lanes - leaving little room for bikes. However, it does leave quite a bit of space on the right (left) hand side of the lane lines. I'm mostly referring here to lane sharing on our motorway (equivalent of a freeway).
In reality, while some people claim to have been pulled over and ticketed for lane sharing, most bikers do it quite safely without being stopped. I do it pretty much every morning and evening, but only where the traffic is congested. The safest location tends to be between the fast and second fastest lanes. I don't worry too much about which side of the lane line I travel, but most time would be spent to the right (left).
I'd pass a cop on average at least once a day and usually make a point of continuing to split while passing their car. I think as long as I'm riding sensibly, and at a reasonable speed differential, there is no reason for them to try pulling me over (not an easy task in heavy traffic). I'd normally only split up to about 60 kph (37 mph), but on occasion will go to 70 kph (43 mph). It's difficult to know, but I'd guess my speed differential would be up to about 20 kph (12 mph).
My observation is that car drivers typically don't notice a bike until they have been passed (I've observed that I don't use the rear-vision mirror much while I'm in a car in traffic). When they do, they tend to make space. Truck drivers tend to be more observant and will often make space.
I've found it quite surprising how infrequently cars change lanes (between fast and second lanes). The strange thing is how on mornings when they do, they all seem to do it together - it's like a "full moon" thing.
Bike commuting here in Auckland tends to be a bit of a seasonal thing - even though we don't get any snow, it is pretty wet during the winter and all the "soft" bikers pack it in for 6 months. But whatever time of the year, most of the bikes on the motorway would be splitting at some stage. I just wouldn't have a strong enough clutch wrist to sit in our start stop traffic for very long!
There is a lot of discussion on local forums (KiwiBiker) about the legality of lane-sharing. While not specifically banned, the consensus seems to be that it is not legal to overtake to the left (right) of a moving vehicle while in the same lane. (Bear in mind that we drive on the left hand side of the road here - so I've added the opposite in brackets for those who drive on the right). There appears to be no real ban on overtaking to the right (left) in the same lane.
So in theory, bikes can lane-share as long as they stay on the left (right) hand side of the lane lines. In practice, this is difficult to do since most car drivers tend to drive closer to the right (left) hand side of their lanes - leaving little room for bikes. However, it does leave quite a bit of space on the right (left) hand side of the lane lines. I'm mostly referring here to lane sharing on our motorway (equivalent of a freeway).
In reality, while some people claim to have been pulled over and ticketed for lane sharing, most bikers do it quite safely without being stopped. I do it pretty much every morning and evening, but only where the traffic is congested. The safest location tends to be between the fast and second fastest lanes. I don't worry too much about which side of the lane line I travel, but most time would be spent to the right (left).
I'd pass a cop on average at least once a day and usually make a point of continuing to split while passing their car. I think as long as I'm riding sensibly, and at a reasonable speed differential, there is no reason for them to try pulling me over (not an easy task in heavy traffic). I'd normally only split up to about 60 kph (37 mph), but on occasion will go to 70 kph (43 mph). It's difficult to know, but I'd guess my speed differential would be up to about 20 kph (12 mph).
My observation is that car drivers typically don't notice a bike until they have been passed (I've observed that I don't use the rear-vision mirror much while I'm in a car in traffic). When they do, they tend to make space. Truck drivers tend to be more observant and will often make space.
I've found it quite surprising how infrequently cars change lanes (between fast and second lanes). The strange thing is how on mornings when they do, they all seem to do it together - it's like a "full moon" thing.
Bike commuting here in Auckland tends to be a bit of a seasonal thing - even though we don't get any snow, it is pretty wet during the winter and all the "soft" bikers pack it in for 6 months. But whatever time of the year, most of the bikes on the motorway would be splitting at some stage. I just wouldn't have a strong enough clutch wrist to sit in our start stop traffic for very long!
