Cycle lanes not for cars: Rider

A Masterton moped user says he gets one or more near-misses a day from inconsiderate drivers crowding the cycle lanes.

Farmer Tony Ham has returned from the South Island to his Wairarapa roots and opted to downsize to a moped because he bought a house in town.

"It's ideal, it's cheap to run, and it's not very fast," he said.

But on Thursday he was forced to swerve into the gutter at a Masterton roundabout, by a driver seemingly oblivious to his presence.

It is something that happens too often, he said.

"It's happening on a daily basis - one day, I had two within an hour."

With the roundabout incident, he banged on the car's boot, and the driver looked at him in bewilderment.

He reported the driver to the police, but he just wants people to be more considerate. "I mean, this is a great little town.

"I've been away for six or seven years. I wouldn't have come back here if I didn't think that."

He said he loves being back in a town where people are polite and say hello.

"I just want to make people aware, and be careful they don't cut across into cycle lanes.

"The police said, I'm quite entitled to be there."

The New Zealand Transport Agency's rules class mopeds as a two-wheeled 50cc (or less) transport that does not exceed 50km/h.

Users need a drivers licence, but mopeds do not need a warrant of fitness.

While the rules do not make mention of cycle lanes, moped riders are required to keep as far left as they can, and can use bus lanes.

Mr Ham said he keeps to the left, since his moped only reaches about 35km/h.