BUS LANES UPDATE (LONDON)

mattsmith95 · Traffic Copper Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

As many of you London bikers know there are trial schemes in place and have been for a few years now.

Seems like the trials went okay because I have noticed that the bus lane in Picadilly and The Haymarket can now be used by bikers. I don't know when the signs were changed and there is naff all information on the internet.

I will be keeping my eye on all bus lanes for further changes.

I'm pleased that I can now use these bus lanes anytime and it's just nice that someone has done something nice for bikers.

My only complaint is there is NO information on westminster council and the Transport for London websites.

JGY6000 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Karma :

sounds good, i dont see why they dont just make all bus lanes available to motorcycles as its not like were causing congestion anyway!

illusion · Scooby Slapper Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Karma :

God I hope they eventually make the bus lanes down the A1 (Highgate -> Archway -> Holloway -> Angel) usable for bikes. That road is a pain in the arse!

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

The one between the target and white hart roundabouts is the one that gets my goat. Barely any buses use it, and half the time they get stuck behind cyclists because the lane is too narrow to overtake in, especially as the outside lane is stuffed full of irate cagers!
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colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

I think it would be sensible to encourage scooters and motorbikes as they cause less congestion than cars.

To be honest I use bus lanes anyway.

If a policeman stopped me (unlikely) I would be very appologetic and say sorry and I doubt it would go any further.

Are motorbikes subject to the congestion charge or exempt ?
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mattsmith95 · Traffic Copper Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Jack_Cheese · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Karma :

I think it is a fantastic idea, it will increase the number of riders for sure, and may make car drivers more aware. Some cagers may resent the fact that bikes would get the "special treatment", and the segregation may flare tempers, but i think it is a very positive, if unexpected step.

Jack
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Barry_M2 · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Karma :

illusion · Scooby Slapper Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Karma :

katana · Trackday Trickster Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Karma :

Westminster now allow bikes in bus lanes. There was alot in the press about it a while back.

It's not the whole of london at the moment, but it's a start.

mrtEE · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Karma :

biggerjohn · Spanner Monkey Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Karma :

I sent an email into the London mayor’s office a while back asking about bikes and letting them use buss lanes.

The response I got basically said a independent study was currently been done in London with two test routes in London and few outside to see if it adversely effected the safety of bikers cyclists and pedestrians. The study as I understand was due to be completed early this year but was extended by 18 months to try and get better data.

I stopped looking into it after reading up on it but it looks like the green light for bike using bus lanes must have been given for these new routes to be opened up.

P.S any one been done recently for riding in a bus lane?

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

I've been done twice in the last year, but it's about 5 or 6 months since the last time.

There's only really the stretch I mentioned above that I feel I have to abuse, and unfortunately it has two cameras, plusl buses that run on it carry them too!

I was browsing sites about the bus lanes recently, and came across a report from a cycling organisation who were extremely anti-bike - apparantly allowing us in bus lanes would terrify and endanger cyclists.
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

The Tot · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Karma :

Dracan · Trackday Trickster Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Karma :

When it come down to it - if bikers aren't allowed in bus lanes, then they're gonna filter instead. There's no way the government can say that filtering is safer than us using a bus lane.
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Symon · Derestricted Danger Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Karma :

I'm a little confused by all this. From what it says in the Highway code, I thought that a bus lane that allowed bicycles included motorcycles. My understanding of it is that the bicycle sign only restricts to pedal cycles (i.e. excludes motorcycles) where the sign is displayed without any motorised vehicles. If the sign is displayed with motorised vehicles (i.e. a bus) then the restriction of use includes pedal cycles and motorcycles. Am I wrong? I've been happily using the bus-lanes in Edinburgh for the past couple of years on this basis. I don't use the bus-lanes that restrict to buses only (i.e. no bicycle on the sign - and there are a couple in Edinburgh) - but where there's a bicycle on the sign - I've been using them!

Has anyone been cautioned or prosecuted for using a bus lane where the ristricted use included a bus & bicycle on the sign?
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Symon · Derestricted Danger Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Karma :

Just checked the on-line copy of the Highway Code - and it specifically has a bus lane sign that includes a bus, taxi and bycicle - and restricts use to pedal cycles. Looks like I've been lucky to get away with it thus far.

I'm pretty sure that's not what it said on the Highway Code I studied for my test a couple of years ago - I'll need to dig it out and have a wee look.

So - in short - ignore what I've said - doesn't look like it'll work as a defence!
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mattsmith95 · Traffic Copper Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

headlamp · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Karma :

international... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Karma :

Symon,

Edinburgh City Council have recently reviewed the use of bus lanes for motorcycles after a trial period and have concluded that they should not be permitted, and this decision will not change for the forseable future. Thumbs Down

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Symon · Derestricted Danger Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Karma :

That'll be the city council that's still taing a tantrum due to the fact that they lost the congestion charging vote. I would love to see details of the review and the conclusions that resulted in the decision. Think perhaps I'll write to the transport department and see what information I can get.
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