KEY POINTS:
The Alpurt extension to Puhoi was due to open next year but I see progress seems well advanced. Is there an update on a new completion date?
Also, what is the story with the toll system? Has a system been selected and if so, will it involve fitting transponders to cars? Will it be compatible with all other tolled roads?
Tony Snowden, Auckland.
The Alpurt B2 toll road is on track, and due to be completed early next year.
Transit will be using a camera-based electronic toll collection system. As a vehicle travels along the road, it will pass under a toll gantry where cameras will record the licence plates. The details on the plate will be matched to either the owner of the vehicle or an account holder, and they will pay the bill.
At this stage, the toll for motor vehicles will be $1.80, including GST, and $3.60 for heavy motor vehicles. Emergency vehicles will be exempt.
The electronic toll collection system will be compatible with future toll projects, but not necessarily with current, more manual ones.
Apart from marked and designated areas, is it still illegal to cycle on footpaths? It can be difficult for motorists exiting a fenced driveway when they can neither see nor hear a cyclist passing quickly. If a collision did occur, in legal terms where does a motorist stand? Many of the cyclists are children, so what insurance would there be to cover that situation? Anne Saker, Castor Bay. It is illegal to ride on the footpath unless you are delivering newspapers, mail or leaflets.
Having said that, common sense would tell you that if traffic is heavy, it is probably safer for a child to ride on the footpath, and I think most drivers would rather this was the case than have a child wobbling all over the road.
In the case of a collision between a vehicle and a cyclist on a footpath, the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 4.4 states that a driver entering or exiting a driveway must give way to a road user on a footpath. Just because the footpath user is a cyclist rather than a pedestrian does not preclude the driver's duty of care.
Each case would stand on its own merit, says Senior Sergeant Pete Kaveney of the Auckland City Road Policing Services. However, if the cyclist was riding at speed then that may mitigate the driver's action.
And John Lucas at the Insurance Council says that any injury incurred in such an accident would be covered by ACC. Damage to the bike or clothing or any other property would be covered by third party insurance on the vehicle. Damage to the vehicle itself would similarly be covered by the vehicle owner's insurance.
I saw a cyclist a few days ago going from Devonport towards Takapuna, in the cycle lane, but riding in the opposite direction to the traffic flow. Is this permitted? Also, I often see cyclists riding three abreast. This is a hazard to vehicular traffic surely.
Jenny Goldbert, Beach Haven.
If the cycleway is on the footpath, then there is no offence, as footpaths are not directional.
If the cycleway is on a road, which I think the Lake Rd one is, then the cyclist is breaking the law. The road-user rules apply to vehicles, a cycle is a vehicle under the law, and therefore must comply. You wouldn't drive on the wrong side of the road, would you? Not knowingly, anyway.
And the Road User Rule 2004 (very handy document, that) states that you may not ride bicycles three abreast. In fact, if you are passing or overtaking a vehicle, including another bike, you must ride in single file.
* The Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, all 74 pages of it, is available as a PDF file
