OH my apologies – I see this photo in your other story which clears it up
https://cyclingchristchurch.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RollestonAve-cycleway-9.jpg

When I went past on Monday, there was a bus parked IN that area which make me think it was for the bus to stop in. You’re right.

I’ll check this in the morning – are you saying the whole thing is still a car lane still despite being bollarded off ? That could explain the somewhat confused-looking car driving up the bike lane last night!

Also, the northern bus stop (near the George) has different markings to the bus stop nearer Christ’s College Music dept. We may be thinking of different points in the lane.

Separately I notice the one-laning of Kilmore->Park Terrace intersection has a significant flow-back effect into Montreal Street by Cranmer Square, definitely at peak traffic times.

You don’t wait behind the bus – that’s for other motor vehicles in the lane to do (and it’s an advisory sign not a regulatory one). People cycling use the cycleway that continues unimpeded around behind the bus stops. The existing narrow shared path has always had (uncomfortable) two-way cycling and the vehicle crossings already had people cycling across them in both directions – now cycling gets its own clear space and the crossings are marked more clearly. Not everyone is a confident rider either who will happily bike on the road.

At what point is a sign saying “Please wait behind the bus” legal? As a confident rider I’d just take the lane. But a less confident rider gets to spend a while standing behind bus’ exhaust?

Plus the lane has multiple wiggles to get around pedestrian safety islands. And this new lane is two way so expect cyclists to ride toward you. This makes vehicle crossings even more hazardous because they already don’t look one way-why would a driver look the other way too?

Rolleston Ave is only 30 km/h – it should be considered safer for riding on. Why did we need this lane at all ?