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Planning Policy Statements 1-whatever. Learn and recite by rote.
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After nearly being knocked off by a aggressive motorcyclist in a bus lane last night I went looking for a way to do something about it. Not sure if this has been posted but can't help thinking that the forum making use of it would help the cause.
Feedback on the motorcycles in bus lanes trial:
https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/finesandregulations/motorcycleinbuslanes/default.aspx
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Ben, report it at the LCC's Bus Lane Watch, too:
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I have had a number of issues with them now mainly to do with moving out to pass a stopped bus and whether the person in front on the cycle or the person behind on the motorbike has right of way. I have also experienced the 12000 revs method of making there presence felt. While it is nice to know they are there I associate the sound with a fast moving bike, and can't help feeling that they are trying to dominate other road users. Last night I had one of them revving madly to get me to move over so he could squeeze past me while I was passing a stopped bus on the left and stationary traffic on the right, there simply was not room for him to do this safely.
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NB Ben, there have been quite a few motorcycles in bus lanes threads, and a lot of the arguments have been stated there, so have a search.
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can't help thinking that the forum making use of it would help the cause.
The cause is whether or not it is a good idea to allow motorcycles to share bus lanes. Our fear is that large numbers of them will crowd out cyclists and tend to intimidate less confident cyclists from riding. I don't hate motorbikes, just the smell and the noise.
Personally I think the biggest risk is to pedestrians who aren't expecting fast bikes in the left lane.
LCC's "Bus Lane Watch" really wants to know about any incidents that happen, either crashes or frightening close calls http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1250
The TfL survey is open until July 2010 but what they don't tell you is that to formally object you must write to them before July THIS YEAR to:
Transport for London,
RNM/STOT/TRO, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road London, SE1 8NJ quoting
reference GLA/2008/671.see: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/motorcycles-in-bus-lanes-notice-161208.pdf
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Our fear is that large numbers of them will crowd out cyclists and tend to intimidate less confident cyclists from riding. I don't hate motorbikes, just the smell and the noise.
I agree with that. Personally I've not had a problem and find motorcyclists to generally be competent and safe riders. I have more issue with twist-and-go riders, idiots on 50cc and so forth. They often do annoying things like overtaking cyclists only to realise that they can't actually fit through the gap they had intended, thus blocking it off for everyone else.
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I have had a number of issues with them now mainly to do with moving out to pass a stopped bus and whether the person in front on the cycle or the person behind on the motorbike has right of way. I have also experienced the 12000 revs method of making there presence felt. While it is nice to know they are there I associate the sound with a fast moving bike, and can't help feeling that they are trying to dominate other road users. Last night I had one of them revving madly to get me to move over so he could squeeze past me while I was passing a stopped bus on the left and stationary traffic on the right, there simply was not room for him to do this safely.
Sail before steam - you have the right of way.
If I'm bearing down on you on my motorbike and you're in front of me, I am going to make room for you, let you go first, block other motorcycles and cars from taking that space to the best of my ability and generally be a helpful and considerate rider. (You can see examples of me doing this at the bottom of Hackney Road almost every evening). I would hope and believe that any other rider would do the same.
I have found myself taking advantage of some of the bus lanes - A40, Knightsbridge, Picadilly, City Road, Whitechapel or Commercial Road usually, and practically ride along the white line when I pass a cycle. Just as I do if I'm passing one on a normal bit of road.
I'd never go down Whitechapel Road, the A40 or Picadilly before - they were just not practical roads for getting anywhere, so I would previously have been rat-running like a seasoned black-cab driver. Persuading bikers out of residential streets and back onto main roads has got to be beneficial for air quality, road safety and quality of back-street cycling. I wouldn't be surprised if that's not been considered as a possible benefit, but if I'm typical, it will make a hell of a difference.
Oh, but please, don't pass buses on the left, go round them.
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I agree with that. Personally I've not had a problem and find motorcyclists to generally be competent and safe riders. I have more issue with twist-and-go riders, idiots on 50cc and so forth. They often do annoying things like overtaking cyclists only to realise that they can't actually fit through the gap they had intended, thus blocking it off for everyone else.
I can't stand that, cars have an annoying habit of doing it too, especially when a bus stops to pick people up.
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Oh, but please, don't pass buses on the left, go round them.
Yes. This is a problem with a lot of less confident cyclists. Passing things on the left is all good if you know the light has just gone red. If not, please please don't. I think a lot of less experienced cyclists are scared to take the high side, but actually put themselves in more danger by staying stuck to the curb.
A while back I saw a guy almost get crushed by a bus coming off London Bridge towards Liverpool Street - he passed it on the left as it was turning left. Pay some courtesy to buses and HGVs. They can't see you if you come in close on the left. Also, even when passing a bus on the right, take the whole lane. If you ride to the right of the lane, the bus driver will see you. If you don't, he/she may not. I've found that by passing a bus/HGV wide, they almost always wait for you. If you don't they won't, because you are in their blindspot. The downside is occasionally traffic behind will beep you. You have a right to the lane, so just get used to riding one-handed... the other hand will be swearing at the arsehole who wanted to pass you when it was not safe to do so...
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I can't stand that, cars have an annoying habit of doing it too, especially when a bus stops to pick people up.
Yups, agreed. Also cars that are wanting to turn left at the lights, take the lane in front of you but then go so close to the curb that you then have to move out to get to the front. I think all car drivers should be forced to cycle in London for a week and then maybe they would not do it.
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I was in the green box waiting for the lights to go green and noticed that a motorbike had pulled
up alongside, the lights change and I pulled away much quicker than the motorbike. I thought
race time and kept on pacing it and the motorbike eventually caught up and slowed right down
next to me, and he lifted his visor, I thought fnck, hope I haven't pissed him off somehow
and instead he wanted to chat about my bike; "I like your bike, did you build that yourself, is it
easy to build etc."
The road was quiet and we rode in the bus lane in harmony.
Lovely chap, seems like they're not all cnuts.
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I can't stand that, cars have an annoying habit of doing it too, especially when a bus stops to pick people up.
I was in the green box waiting for the lights to go green and noticed that a motorbike had pulled
up alongside, the lights change and I pulled away much quicker than the motorbike. I thought
race time and kept on pacing it and the motorbike eventually caught up and slowed right down
next to me, and he lifted his visor, I thought fnck, hope I haven't pissed him off somehow
and instead he wanted to chat about my bike; "I like your bike, did you build that yourself, is it
easy to build etc."
The road was quiet and we rode in the bus lane in harmony.
Lovely chap, seems like they're not all cnuts.
Nah they are cool, most motorbike riders are quite passionate about it and aware of the road too. Like us cyclists they have to deal with the fact that a lot of heavier traffic does not notice them. I've said it before, but the worst is the people on the 50cc etc. A lot of them have no real road knowledge/experience and ride in a way which annoys both cyclists and true bikers.
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Yups, agreed. Also cars that are wanting to turn left at the lights, take the lane in front of you but then go so close to the curb that you then have to move out to get to the front. I think all car drivers should be forced to cycle in London for a week and then maybe they would not do it.
I'm confused about this. Do you really object to a left turning car (or motorbike) hugging the left side of the road at lights? Why? That's what they are taught to do, specifically in order that a cyclist doesn't take the inside and then crash into a left-turning car.
I always do that. I absolutely want you to pass me on the right if I'm about to turn left, because then I know you're safe and I know I'm safe.
Oliver Schick
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About
Motorcycles in your bus lane
Posted by
@runcible_rakan
He, he, and what about the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions?
No, don't run away ... oh, he can't hear me over his screams. Shame. He looked promising. ;)