Death awaits at busy intersection

Jase Lunn says cycle behaviour at the Tasman Quay and Hewletts Road intersection is becoming a serious cncern. Photo: GoogleMaps.

A logging truck driver is speaking up about cyclist behaviour on Mount Maunganui roads in what he describes as a death waiting to happen.

Jase Lunn, is one of four logging truck drivers who commute daily between the log yard on the corner of Hewletts Road and Totara Street and to the Tauranga Port entrance at Tasman Quay.

He says cycle behaviour at the Tasman Quay and Hewletts Road intersection is becoming a serious concern.

'On multiple occasions I've seen the same thing happen, where cyclists heading straight on Hewlett's Road have failed to acknowledge the lights and have cycled out directly in front of me as my light turns green for me to go.”

Jase says it's a daily occurrence.

'It's crazy it's not just one person, or two people, it's everyone.

'Yesterday was one of the worst I've seen in a while. I witnessed two teenage girls cycling out in front of me. They had a quick look, which most of them tend to do, and then just rode out anyway, as I was turning. It was nearly the end of them.

'They don't even blink an eye, they don't even shrug, they just carry on.

'I don't think most of these cyclists understand how difficult it is for drivers of heavy vehicles such as mine, especially when they are fully loaded, to come to a full stop once they have moved off from being stationary. The motion is such a great force.”

'Cyclists are failing to use dedicated pedestrian crossing lights at that intersection.”

He says he's filed a police report about the incident.

'If authorities were to come down and observe for just 15 minutes they would see this happening, it is that frequent.

'I am absolutely terrified I will be involved in an accident one day. If I get involved in that I have to do drug tests and go through a whole bunch of other things.

'It would destroy me. Driving logging trucks is my bread and butter and I would never drive again if I was involved in an accident.

'I've called council and they've suggested placing more signage at the intersection. Signs won't do anything in my opinion, the lights aren't doing anything.”

Jase says metal access bars, similar to what might be seen at beach access points or in alley ways may be one solution to help slow cyclists down.

'You sort of have to walk between them or push your bike between those bar to get through and I think if they were set up in this area it would force cyclists to stop and actually look around.

'I might see one maybe two people actually stop at that crossing in a day. I personally wouldn't have the kahunas to just ride across on my own bike without fully making sure I was aware of everything in my surroundings.

'I'm not criticising people for using their bikes. I have a bike myself, and I really commend people that are getting the exercise in, using their bikes and making an effort, but they're not going to get home at the end of the day if they keep on doing what they're doing.”

He wants to see stricter enforcement in the area.

'Obey the lights and the obey rules. It's $150 if you run a red light and that applies to cyclists too.”

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19 comments

Not just cyclists

Posted on 09-02-2018 11:39 | By Astoreth

The number of trucks running reds exiting Tasman Quay is staggering. I don't doubt that the light phasing is too quick, but that is no excuse. I see trucks entering the intersection from Tasman after the lights have gone green on Hewletts damned-near every time I stop at that intersection.


Well said Sir!

Posted on 09-02-2018 11:45 | By Bruja

Yes and frankly, if they want to kill themselves they need to find a way to do that without involving innocent people. Your fear is very clear in your message and why the hell should you have to have your life wrecked because someone else being downright mindless.


We need to protect all road users

Posted on 09-02-2018 12:12 | By tgacentral

This intersection is extremely dangerous for people on bikes and it's the poor design that is creating this risk. This site was highlighted in the recent council Cycle Action Plan consultation and is due to be addressed. Given it is a dedicated cycleway, a seperate traffic light is needed for bikes as they cannot easily see the traffic lights on the adjacent road. This is especially dangerous to children who are more likely to treat it like a footpath and ride straight through. It is silly to expect everyone on bikes to stop and press a button and wait when a dedicated cycle stop/go light could safely control the flow. This isn't a 'cars vs cyclists' or enforcement issue it's just about finding a way for everyone to safely and efficiently share the road.


size and fine

Posted on 09-02-2018 12:23 | By hapukafin

Your truck is bigger than a bike.$150 fine for running a red light is not enough for bikes,cars ,or trucks.it should be more like $500


I agree but

Posted on 09-02-2018 12:37 | By Tgaboy

Im a cyclist. I want to acknowledge Ive seen some dumb things being done by fellow cyclists. Maybe there will be a death at the fault of dumb moves by a cyclist. But I also want to identify that on a daily basis, on my cycle route from welcome bay, I see cars and trucks rushing through reds lights. In my opinion, some cyclists and drivers need to be pulled up and pull their heads in. Someone will likely die one day though. You cant fix stupid.


No surprise

Posted on 09-02-2018 13:03 | By rastus

And they wonder why cyclists are such a hated mob - a law unto themselves!


people in glasshouses?

Posted on 09-02-2018 13:18 | By noj

I agree that the intersections should have stricter enforcement, but to control trucks running red lights too! I regularly wait in traffic on Hewlett's Road watching trucks blatantly running red lights turning onto Hewlett's while we have to wait on our green light until they have cleared the intersection! This is becoming an epidemic nowadays.


Idiot cyclists and truckers....

Posted on 09-02-2018 13:31 | By C Queen

I've seen idiotic behaviour from both cyclists and truckers at the Bridge Marina T intersection.I've been abused by cyclists that I've nearly run over because they've failed to stop with the "red man"....and had several near death experiences with trucks running that red light both ways as I've "crept" out from the marina.There's a whole bunch of idiots from both those fraternaties!It's EVERYONES responsibility to obey those lights.


Astoreth and noj

Posted on 09-02-2018 16:04 | By Kenworthlogger

Have you ever driven a truck? im guessing that you have not. When your rigs overall length is just shy of 24 meters long and you weigh 58 ton it is quite possible to pull out into the intersection when the light is green and by the time you have changed 3 full gears or 6 half gears and have pulled your trailer thru the intersection the lights can be red. A truck does not move the speed of a car so allowances need to be made by car drivers. Heavy vehicles cannot stop on a dime like a car can so sometimes its safer to go thru than try and stop and loose your load in the processs. By no means am I advocating deliberate running of a red. The law is quite clear on that. I too have nearly run over cyclist at this spot.


Dash cam

Posted on 09-02-2018 17:58 | By maildrop

It seems to be popular for truck drivers to post footage of other road users breaking the rules. I guess they just delete all the footage of them running red lights and smashing the speed limit. Time for other users to get dash cams me thinks. That said, all I see in this story is a typical Kiwi attitude to safety. That's why the road toll, work deaths and injuries, etc,. here is so high. Kiwis being kiwis. Slow learners.


Have another can jase

Posted on 09-02-2018 18:32 | By carma g

Lol really. Just trying to get your name in thepaper jase


Uhm, have I missed something?

Posted on 09-02-2018 20:51 | By TheCameltoeKid

The article is about these cyclists that really do put their lives on the line at almost every light change. Some of those fertilizer trucks are are 50 tonnes! Once they're going the're hard to stop! And remember it's quite rare when a truck runs a red at Hewletts Road! Now this is clearly an issue as very soon on of these cyclists will get hurt or worse! Clearly the lights need to be re-phased to allow more trucks to leave the Port at one time however, this will not stop cyclists from running red lights! This is not a problem at this one intersection! It's a problem everywhere, all over the country! Cyclists need be to aware that they are subject to the same road rules as everybody else and that they cant fingerwag anybody else if they get hurt or killed because they choose not to therules!


Change is coming

Posted on 09-02-2018 21:17 | By Sg1nz

Bikes are taking over the roads. The rules need to change, so bikes have right of way. Like many euro cities.


The

Posted on 09-02-2018 21:26 | By Capt_Kaveman

Red light issue is because martin parks from TCC does not have a clue what hes doing with the phasing of the lights and i have with the backing of many tried to get him to see the problem but his arrogance is too strong


Cyclists have rights

Posted on 10-02-2018 11:44 | By waiknot

But cyclists also need to kick into self survival mode. There is no way in the world I would be cycling there.


kenworth logger

Posted on 10-02-2018 21:45 | By old trucker

I have complained to TCC and NZTA about these lights, TASMAN QUAY and right turn off Hewletts in to Totara street Log yard they are only on 7-12 secs and the Trailers of trucks are just half way through and it turns green, the 2nd truck in line is just getting off the line with 58 tons and its red, how BS is that, and believe me ive rung dozens of times and they wont listen, the right turn out of Tasman quay is not on long enough and sometimes 6 loggers waiting to go and by the time they get a head of steam have too stop thats probably why they try to get through, kenworth logger i dont think those clowns you asked if they drive a Truck do, just do gooders that dont understand us, gosh how would they get on driving a 793,


Totally agree with you old trucker

Posted on 11-02-2018 16:28 | By Kenworthlogger

Sometimes you can only get 2 loggers thru like you said off Hewletts into Totora st to the logyard and as everyone has said your trailer is going thru on the red... Yes plenty of do gooders on here that think because they can drive a car they can drive anything..Maildrop do you really believe other road users dont have dash Cams? Really? The biggest hazard I have to deal with is not New Zealands most deadliest workplace The Forest.... its other road users.


Get them off the road.......

Posted on 13-02-2018 14:51 | By Tassie

Tauranga used to be great with it's off the road cycle lanes, but hello some idiot decided to let them on the main roads. They aren't registered they don't pay road tax so they shouldn't be on the roads.Bike on the roads at your own risk but don't bleat if you get hit because you haven't got any road sense.


Astoreth

Posted on 15-02-2018 14:28 | By Kenworthlogger

We are talking about bikers going thru the red like minutes after it has turned red.. They are ignoring the lights altogether not just missing the green like you are describing trucks do.. We will be sitting at the lights coming out of the port on Tasman Quay and our light will go green and sometimes when we pull away you get a biker decide to near slam into the side of the truck... I dont want to kill anybody but these idiots seem to have a death wish......


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