ibk

I just found out that hook turns exist in Tasmania! Although only for bicycles. To quote the Tasmanian Road Rules 2019:

**35.**   **Optional hook turn by a bicycle rider**
(1)  The rider of a bicycle turning right at an intersection without a *hook turn only sign*, or a *no hook turn by bicycles sign*, may turn right at the intersection by making … a hook turn under this rule.

(it goes on a bit after that)
https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sr-2019-061#GS35@EN

#Tasmania #RoadRules

View - Tasmanian Legislation Online

Apr 11 at 10:29amWeb
Show threadibk3d ago
Deep* research reveals that the first intersections in Hobart actually marked with a hook turn box appeared in 2024.
https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/newsroom/2024/07/09/hook-turn-boxes-come-to-hobart/
@bencourtice @ajft
Hook-turn boxes come to Hobart

The recent cycling treatment upgrades on Hobart’s Argyle Street has prompted the question: “what are those weird white boxes in the intersections?”

Bicycle Network
Show threadbencourtice3d ago
@ibk in Victoria, hook turns are necessary for cars at some intersections, but permissible for cyclists at all intersections
Show threadibk3d ago
@bencourtice My mind has been expanded for a second time this evening!
Show threadibk3d ago
@bencourtice … and that does help explain why Tas has this rule; it doesn't sound like the sort of thing we'd dream up by ourselves.
Show threadbencourtice3d ago
@ibk ha. Also, Tas used to have trams too.
Show threadibk3d ago

@bencourtice I live not far from "The Y", an intersection where the trams did a little switchback.
"One distinctive feature of the route was the ‘Y’, a section of track at the intersection of Cavell and Goulburn Streets where trams had to reverse in order to negotiate the sharp bend into Cavell Street".

All before my time (last tram in West Hobart was in 1958), but the intersection is still very weird, and very challenging for pedestrians.

Show threadbencourtice3d ago
@ibk I used to ride my bike to school through that intersection every day :)
Show threadajft [SEC=continvoucly morged]3d ago
@ibk I *think* that the cycling hook turn was written into all the state road rules early this century as part of the "uniform national road rules" . Excellent fun to actually try to do them, as a huge percentage of drivers have no expectation of this happening. Added degree of difficulty when you do decide to do one, pull over at the left to turn right. Your lights go red but rather than a green, the cars on your left get a left turn arrow and you're propped sideways across in front of them
Show threadibk3d ago
@ajft This all started when I stumbled upon a simulation of hook turning traffic by @augustusbrown , combined with a desire to know whether toddlers need to wear bike helmets. It's been quite the evening.