When there’s a cycle lane at a set of lights, you must not wait in it for the light to turn green, and you must not drive in it as you approach the lights (unless you’re riding a bicycle). Motorbikes must not use this lane, either, but they can filter between stationary traffic.
Cycles have the right-of-way in this lane. If there are cycles waiting to go forward, you must give way to them before you can turn left.
The car is waiting in the wrong position, blocking the cycleway
This shows the correct position with the left-hand wheels of the car not encroaching into the cycle lane
Drivers must also check their mirrors and do a head check to check the blind spot in the cycle lane.
Clause 6.6 of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 say that a driver or person in charge of a vehicle must not stop, stand, or park the vehicle in any special vehicle lane unless the vehicle belongs to a class of vehicle for which use of the lane is reserved, and stopping, standing, or parking of the vehicle is permitted at that place by signs or markings.
This means that if you’re waiting at the lights to turn left, and there’s a cycle lane, only cycles can wait there. They can turn left or go straight ahead from that lane, and vehicles waiting to turn left must give way to them.
If you wait in a cycle lane in your driving test, it’s an instant fail.
Can you use a cycle lane when overtaking or passing another vehicle on the left?
You can drive in a cycle lane for up to 50 metres if you are turning into or out of an intersection with a minor road, or driveway. The road code does not say that you are allowed to use a cycle lane if you are overtaking someone on the left who is turning right, and NZTA specifically said that this is an enforcement issue, i.e. the police would be lenient at their discretion.
However, there are contradictions in the legislation because an amendment from November 2013 has not yet been included that says:
However, a driver may drive wholly or partly in a lane that is unavailable to the driver under subclause (1) or clause 4.6(2) to (4) if—
(a) it is impracticable to proceed otherwise because of—
(i) the size of the driver’s vehicle; or
(ii) the size of the load on the driver’s vehicle; or
(iii) a road obstruction; and
(b) driving in that lane can be done safely and without impeding other traffic.
Our interpretation is that you can overtake a vehicle on the left by using a cycle lane as long as it is safe to do so.
You may also have started to see sharrow road markings for cyclists, which have a different meaning that cycle lanes.
Darren has written over 3000 articles about driving and vehicles, plus almost 500 vehicle reviews and numerous driving courses. Connect with him on LinkedIn by clicking the name above
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