Christchurch is the newest city in New Zealand to receive a temporary exemption to allow bike racks to be used on public transport buses.
The exemption, which will allow bikes racks to be used only during the day, is set to kick in on Wednesday April 16.
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Back in October last year, the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) issued a safety notice which determined the way some bus models are fitted with bike racks can partially obscure headlights. Bike racks were then removed from buses across New Zealand on Friday November 8 as a precautionary measure.
Most transport operators around the country have front bike racks on at least some of their bus services. These models, which can take two bikes and unfold and lock around the wheels, have had warning tape on them, preventing their use.
Since then, public transport authorities, bus operators and NZTA have been working together to resolve the issue. Thorough testing has been undertaken which has determined bike racks can be safely used during the day.
“We are really pleased to be able to offer bike racks to our customers during the day again and we’re hopeful that it won’t be too long before we can offer the service at night too,” Environment Canterbury public transport operations manager Derek Walsh says.
The exact timings of the night-time restrictions will vary from month to month to maximise the time available to customers that take their bikes on the buses.
Bike racks will also be available full-time on Metro’s Route 8 to allow customers to access Lyttelton tunnel, where cycling was banned, and the ferry.
Testing had found some of the bus fleet needed better lighting to mitigate the restricted visibility caused by some racks.
“Our operators are currently installing lights on the buses that require them. You may start to see these on some of our buses,” Walsh says.
“Once the installations are complete across our fleet – and we have all the exemptions through from NZTA – we will be able to remove the night-time restriction.”
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