Two wheels but mopeds may not use cycle lanes

Mopeds are not allowed in cycle lanes.

The warning comes from the Wairarapa Road Safety Council and police, after a Times-Age story yesterday.

The paper reported how Tony Ham was irate that car drivers were narrowly missing him while he rode his moped in the cycle lanes along Chapel St.

Mr Ham had thought he was allowed in a cycle lane but it turns out that is not the case.

A moped is still a motor vehicle but a cycle lane is a strip in the road designed for cycles, says Wairarapa Road Safety Council road safety manager Dave Ryan.

And a cycle is usually a two-wheeler, powered primarily by muscles.

He had some sympathy for moped users and recommended they "claim their space".

"We would encourage the moped users to keep as far left as practical, without encroaching on the cycle lane," he said.

"Approaching a roundabout, they should be checking behind that there is not a vehicle about to overtake them if they are travelling slower than the other traffic.

"Then, after indicating their intentions, move out from the left and take a position in the lane so that another vehicle cannot try and squeeze past them," he said.

"Negotiate the roundabout, indicating their intentions to other road users, and then exit again taking up a position as far left as practical without encroaching in the cycle lane if it continues."

Wairarapa police area commander Brent Register said it was definitely correct that mopeds should not be in cycle lanes. "Mopeds are still motorised vehicles, rather than a cycle."

But he also pointed out it was not good that a moped rider was being crowded out by cars. "Vehicles should be giving room."

His recommendation to moped riders, particularly at roundabouts, was "have a look, and take a bit of road that you need".