This section covers provision for cycling in bus lanes. Refer also to provision for cycling at bus stops – in the bus stops, and school bus routes and signs section of this manual.
Bus stops, and school bus routes and signs
A bus lane is a lane reserved for buses, and may also be used by cycles, mopeds, and motorcycles, unless any of the other types of vehicles are excluded by markings or signs.
Bus lanes should be either:
Traffic lane widths - providing for cycling
In-between widths should be avoided, as these can result in buses or cyclists attempting to pass each other when it is not safe to do so. Wide bus lanes can be part time, i.e. allow parking during non-bus lane hours. Narrow bus lanes should not allow parking at any time (even when the bus lane is not in operation), as, people on bikes would be forced to ride within the door opening zone of parked vehicles.
Note that Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 3 allows an absolute minimum shared bus lane width of 3.7m for 60km/h roads, this is not recommended in New Zealand.
Where a wide bus lane is provided (see bus lanes that permit cyclists of this manual for the definition of what constitutes ‘wide’), a cyclist can usually easily pass a stopped bus within the remaining bus lane width.
Bus lanes that permit cyclists
For bus stops within narrow bus lanes, options should be considered to allow cyclists to safely pass stopped buses. Indenting the kerb by 1.0m at the bus stop will achieve enough width that cyclists do not have to join the adjacent traffic lane when passing a stopped bus.
The needs of cyclists will require greater consideration at longer bus stops and bus stops on uphill grades.
