Bus lane petition

[Hong Kong Phooey]

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/614294

Sign up, or don't.

Probably wouldn't save me any time, but as an insurance policy if I ever strayed into one by mistake, its a no brainer.
____________________
'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

I was the 901st to sign even though I am in Scotland and they restricted it to England. Always happy to help you Southerners out though
____________________
PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.

[rpsmith79]

I have signed it, but where i live, we don't even have any bus lanes, and the next biggest city i know of with them, you are allowed in them anyway
____________________
Current Bike: Honda CG125 ES4 // Honda CB600FS Hornet // Triumph Street Triple R

[doggone]

The worst thing is you often aren't sure whether you can or can't, it can even vary on one stretch of road and by day of the week.

[WD Forte]

1107 th
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[to v or not to v]

1153
____________________
current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[Easy-X]

Signed.

Heading into town 95% of the bus lanes allow motorcycles (thanks, TFL) except Lambeth where a few hundred yards here and there do not... on the same fricking road!

Lambeth Council's line is that somehow the laws of the universe are slightly different on the patch of tarmac they're in charge of
____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Thanks all, the inconsistency is what makes it a win for the councils that want to tax you by stealth.
____________________
'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[Ericck]

1681
____________________
Current Bikes: 2006 Suzuki Bandit 1200, 2008 Suzuki SV650N.
Previous Bikes: Yamaha FS1E, Mobylette Moped Thingy, Suzuki GS125, Kawasaki Zephyr 550, Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Kawasaki ER500, Suzuki Bandit 600, Honda CBR600F, Triumph Street Triple 675, Suzuki V Strom 650.

[recman]

1697

[hellkat]

1818
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[A100man]

1920..
____________________
Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[gbrand42]

1987

The wife always says I am so 1980's - turns out she was right all along.

Off for a can of Quatro and a tug thinking of Maria Whittaker
____________________
Yamaha RD50M, Honda C90, Yamaha RS100, Yamaha RD125LC, Honda XL125 V9 Varadero, Honda NT700VA, Honda VFR800X, Honda CRF1000L, Honda ST1300 Pan European

[A100man]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[Serendipity]

Up to 3547 now

Most of the bus lanes near me, and on my route into London already allow bikes, but there are a few odd exceptions.

Like the road South from Euston, past Holborn down to Aldwych. That bus lane is taxis and bicycles only.... oh and buses... Why no bikes?
____________________
2007 CBF1000-ABS - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[Easy-X]

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Well it's gone over the 10,000 signatures mark, so by their own rules a response (below) has been made by the DfT. I doubt that getting 100,000 signatures, and the subsequently triggered 'debate' in parliament would achieve anything more than the 'local rules for local people' lip service already given.

‐------‐---‐‐------------------------------

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Require local authorities in England to permit motorcycles in bus lanes”.

Government responded:

The Department already prescribes traffic signs that enable local authorities to allow motorcycles to use bus lanes during their hours of operation. Whether to do so is a decision for them.

The Department recognises that motorcycling has become increasingly popular, but it should be acknowledged however that not all bus lanes are suitable for motorcycle access. It is entirely a matter for each traffic authority to decide if this appropriate.

In doing so, they have to bear in mind the needs of other road users. In the national bus strategy Bus Back Better, the Government set out its strategy for improving bus services, which includes an expectation on authorities to provide more and better bus priority, including bus lanes. ‘Gear Change: A bold vision for cycling and walking’ is clear that providing more and better cycling facilities, including joint bus and cycle corridors, is key to delivering the ambition for 50% of short urban journeys to be walked or cycled. The focus on improving active travel and public transport will help deliver many benefits, including contributing to better public health, decarbonisation of transport, reduced congestion and better air quality.

To help local authorities, the Department has published the Traffic Advisory Leaflet (TAL) 2/07: ‘The use of bus lanes by motorcycles’. Guidance on signing is also provided in Chapter 3 of the Traffic Signs Manual, available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual

Anyone that would like to request motorcycle use in bus lanes in England should approach their local traffic authority. TAL 2/07 can be viewed at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-advisory-leaflets-1989-to-2009.

All traffic signs and road markings placed on a public highway must be either prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, as amended, (TSRGD) or authorised by the Secretary of State. Since 2011, TSRGD has prescribed signs that permit motorcycle users to use bus lanes. TSRGD can be viewed at: www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/362/contents/made.

Traffic authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide traffic management schemes for their roads (under section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) therefore they are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. It is entirely a matter for individual authorities to decide on the nature and scope of policies and to balance the needs of residents, emergency services, local businesses and those who work in and visit the areas.

Department for Transport
____________________
'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[Easy-X]

tl;dr You'll have to hassle them on a council by council basis Great, except I don't pay council tax in Lambeth so why would they give to shits about my opinion?
____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[jonquirk]

Typical civil service response, aimed at appearing to respond while avoid actually having to do anything. It completely ignores the premise of the petition, that is, a plea for a unified approach to allowing motorbikes in bus lanes countrywide. Instead the response tells us what we can already do, which would require some interested parties to lobby every single council on an individual basis in the hope of achieving the same thing. Of course, it would be a never-ending task as some councils could be lobbied by other interest groups to reverse the decision.

Guildford recently changed its rush hour bus lanes to 24/7 operation. I have seen no sign of a 24/7 bus service to use them though.
____________________
2021 Triumph Trident660
1978 BMW R60/7

[Nobby the Bastard]

As a civil servant myself, I know whether I can ride I a bus lane because of the fucking huge blue sign at the beginning of it.

If there is another fucking huge sign later on, look to see if bikes are still on it.

Ffs.

Highways are devolved to local government cause national level governments should be dealing with things that affect the whole nation.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Ste]

[Easy-X]

[struan80]

4:20 solves the issue.

[jonquirk]