Can i use the bicycle lane at traffic lights?

paulodd · Crazy Courier Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

This is just out of curiosity, i am on a CG125 and under the road taxation class as a bicycle. So does this mean i can use the bus/taxi/bicycle lane when the normal road is full, instead of filtering??? Also can i go in the red bit at the front that some roads have for bicycle's???

Does anybody know??

Paul
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

Not really. But Yes Very Happy

I've been caught riding in bus/bike lanes twice. Both times I got away with it by pointing out that my legal taxation class was bicycle.
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8316 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Karma :

well, im not too sure, but bicycles aren't taxed, so we are different still. i jump into those spaces still, because its safe to get ahead of all the cars at set of lights and in front, so cage people can't race you, when you just want to ride normally.
so i don't think its legal (no bikes in bus lane, but ok for bicycles), but its safer Wink

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wantser · Trackday Trickster Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Karma :

I think that you cannot use a cycle lane on a motorbike...as far as I am aware. Bus lanes etc are fine though..... Thumbs Up

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Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

paulodd · Crazy Courier Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

so if its a bus/taxi or bus/bicycle lane them its ok?
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

wantser · Trackday Trickster Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Karma :

oops

....so a bus/taxi lane is fine then...?

I am sure you arent allowed in cycle lanes anyway Thumbs Up

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Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

Only if it's a bicycle lane can you get away with it.
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paulodd · Crazy Courier Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

so at the end of the day, if you get caught try and blagg it as much as poss?
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

wantser · Trackday Trickster Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Karma :

spot on!!

Thats how I'm gonna play it..... Laughing

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tgabber · Crazy Courier Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

I usually use the bicycle area at the front of traffic lights in London. Whilst legally doubtful, I've never known anyone to be done for it. Given that most London cyclistsfail to stop for traffic lights anyway, it seems a shame to let the two-wheeled waiting area go to waste. Smile

Occasionally I use the cycle lane to get to the front at lights but only if I would not obstruct a cycle doing so. It's usually easier just to move up the outside of the traffic.

Bus lanes however are a different matter... (see avatar <-- Crying or Very sad

), although a lot of them only apply to certain times (which most people fail to notice). I don't spend a lot of time in bus lanes but will use them to get past slow/stationary traffic.

Confusingly there is a pilot scheme to let motorbikes use bus lanes in London so a few of them are totally legal to use whatever time it is.
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Full Bananas · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Karma :

zx636 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

Funny enough a young lad in the office here is fighting against a fine for riding is bus lane.
apparently their understanding of cycle is something that has "pedals which can be used to propel the vehicle". going out tomorrow to purchase a twin turbo charged moped......

goony · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 15 Aug 2004 Karma :

depend`s what`s on the blue sign at the side of the road some are allow it some don`t. but be careful some of these lane`s have camera`s now.

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Claud 14.7 to 1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2004 Karma :

So can I ride in bus lanes legally then? There are a few I could sure use around here Smile

It would be funny riding past all the cars, with me in the bus lane, and them in the regular lane being "held up". Laughing

Mister James · I want to believe! Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Karma :

Be aware that 99.9999999% of buslanes in london do NOT allow motorbikes in, and plenty have cameras to catch you, as do some buses.

I tend to use the lanes on my way to work to jump the queues, as I know where the cameras are, but you have to look out for buses, as they often have mobile cameras on them. Duck back into the traffic as soon as one pops over the horizon. (or accelerate away if you are feeling frisky!)

stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

I tend to use bus lanes when its safer to do so, IE as an alternative to filtering. I'd be prepared to take it all the way if they tried to do me for it. I imagine the argument would be a bit like in judge dred, "you could of jumped"..... "from the 50th floor?".... "Yes, it would have been legal". Laughing

Of course the counter argument would probably be that you could choose not to filter. So be wary of using that as an excuse.
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nathan1997 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Karma :

I've always use the bus lanes i live in southampton and they don't really give two shits well i've never been court and i have been doing it for about two years everyday.

My boss's mate got court riding in the bus lane he got let off because his bike is classed as bicycle and the pigs can't do anything about it.

I also use the little cycle boxes at the front of traffic lights and its fine.

Just do it there is absolutly nothing the old bill can do.

Cheers Nath Twisted Evil

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Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

IIRC, using designated bus lanes is technically illegal, but there are moves afoot e.g. by the BMF and others to get that changed. Some councils have passed bylaws to allow it locally on a test basis, other (like Edinburgh Evil or Very Mad

) seem set against it.
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27yo kid · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

Hell I do it, but I'm only on a 50 so its not exactly quick off the lights either, so I tened to stick to the side of the road so cars can pass (when there is a bike lane at the side of the road).
Obviously if its a separate lane then I'll stay on the road.

KInda new to biking so feel very cheeky going down the middle past long queues of traffic.

Actually, just to check....

Was on my way home from work, single lane, traffic stopped in a queue about half a mile long. No oncoming traffic... am I ok to "filter" down the middle of the road???
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r1_lad · Spanner Monkey Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Karma :

27yo kid · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

Did get stuck at a set of lights once though! had to turn right when I wanted to turn left!!!

As for a roundabout, still not 100% confident on the whole speed/ leaning bike thing. Hell I'm only on a GPR50. (good fun though!)

One day I'll get my knee down though!!! Laughing

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Kram · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

just remember when filtering down the middle of a road,to look over the cars tot he left for an of them letting another car out. i failed to do this going to school one monring last month, and wrote my bike off by going into a car that got let out.
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