Police spotting (junction watch)

VB, yes i fully understand it now fanks, and will remember it for next trip to soho..

RLJ on clerkenwell road / theobalds road???? now that's just plain stupid, increase fine to £50 officer.

i generally head home or school along tavistock place / new cavendish street.. not always in bike lanes though, far too much cycle traffic :P

bit embarrassing for him they caught him up at all if they took ages to cross the road and he was on a rad fixie

Ironically he'd actually stopped at the next traffic light, giving the PCSOs time to catch up by jumping the ped crossing next to fishcotheque. Double standards.

They pull you over before you can jump Southampton Row normally, and just after the signs (which none of us ever pay attention to as you just assume the bus lane is fine) so that they can patronisingly point them out to you.

Also for those who hasn't read or understand the highway code, they don't realise that the symbol of a black bicycle against a white background inside a red circle mean 'not allowed' rather.

I made the mistake thinking it was allowed until I referred to the highway code.

Saw a fella try and bomb away from the first lot - only to get stopped by some of their colleagues down the road - As I rode past he was getting handcuffed.

Always wondered what would happen if you didn't stop.

Tried it once after being shouted at by a PO on foot, only to be chased by another cyclist who wanted to tell me that the PO was talking to me.
Ahole.

Ironically he'd actually stopped at the next traffic light, giving the PCSOs time to catch up by jumping the ped crossing next to fishcotheque. Double standards.

ah but they were in hot pursuit. on her majesty's banal service.

i didn't know there were any bus lanes we weren't allowed in

It's a persistent annoyance that that contraflow bus lane excludes cycling. Camden Cyclists put up a campaign but were not listened to. It's one of those restrictions that they won't be able to uphold, anyway, much grief later.

i didn't know there were any bus lanes we weren't allowed in

Yes, there are some, usually bus contraflows in which a bus can't pass a cyclist. There are usually fairly obscure technical reasons for it, too. Even the contraflow bus lane on Pentonville Road was 'no cycling' until about eight or nine years ago. The level of non-compliance was much too high for that policy to be upheld. (Sometimes, traffic orders are effectively led ad absurdum in this way.)

hmm i did not know that Oliver, thanks for the pro-tip - how are they signposted to indicate that cycles are not permitted in said lanes?

cheers

There should be 'bus only' sign combinations, as in this example of the contraflow bus lane in Russell (arf) Square:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bloomsbury+Way,+United+Kingdom&aq=4&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=29.854268,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bloomsbury+Way,+London+WC1A,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.521448,-0.124158&spn=0.000721,0.001725&z=19&layer=c&cbll=51.521448,-0.124158&panoid=iyiniw_0Sm0zxBR0UFiMWQ&cbp=12,337.63,,0,14.45

I think the Pentonville Road bus lane used to have 'no cycling' signs in addition to these. I think someone told me that that combination was unlawful, but I'm no expert on signage and can't remember for sure what used to be up there.

Most bus lanes will have variations on this type of sign:

What's the legal implication of a bus lane that doesn't show a bicycle symbol? like turning off from Southampton Row to Theobald.

Signage is sometimes wrong. Cycling is certainly permitted in the eastbound bus lane on Theobald's Road. Bus lanes don't have to have road markings saying 'bus and cycle lane'.

precisely what I needed to know, wasn't sure as a trainee ask if he's allowed on the bus lane, and told him it was okay, even if it doesn't show the bicycle symbol, thank Oli.

As with many things concerning road markings (lanes, parking, etc.), pay attention to the plates erected on poles on the footway alongside. They should normally answer questions such as when the markings are in force.

two hobby bobbys handing out OTS fines like dinner ladies dishing out fish fingers for pavement riding near the roadworks on storey street (i think), round westminster abbey way. hey ho. you takes yer chances.

precisely what I needed to know, wasn't sure as a trainee ask if he's allowed on the bus lane, and told him it was okay, even if it doesn't show the bicycle symbol, thank Oli.

That's completely wrong. I've seen bus only lanes used to force cyclists to use the cycle lanes. You're only allowed if it says you are allowed.

Yes, there are some, usually bus contraflows in which a bus can't pass a cyclist. There are usually fairly obscure technical reasons for it, too. Even the contraflow bus lane on Pentonville Road was 'no cycling' until about eight or nine years ago. The level of non-compliance was much too high for that policy to be upheld. (Sometimes, traffic orders are effectively led ad absurdum in this way.)

So if we all ignore speed limits that makes it all right too?

No, of course not. I assume that you mean when we're driving.

That's completely wrong.

v

65

Bus Lanes. Most bus lanes may be used by cyclists as indicated on signs.

Since there's a no cycling symbol on certain bus lane such as the bus lane on Bloomsbury Way, those without such symbol would suggested that we're allowed to ride on.

I'm not sure what the distinction is, should cyclists only be on bus lane if there's a sign/symbol for it, or if there's a marking stating that cyclists shouldn't be on it?

So if we all ignore speed limits that makes it all right too?

What speed limits?

Since there's a no cycling symbol on certain bus lane such as the bus lane on Bloomsbury Way, those without such symbol would suggested that we're allowed to ride on.

I'm not sure what the distinction is, should cyclists only be on bus lane if there's a sign/symbol for it, or if there's a marking stating that cyclists shouldn't be on it?

You can generally assume that bus lanes are open to cyclists unless signage (bus only etc.) indicates that they're not. As far as I know, the only bus lanes not open to cyclists in London are contraflow bus lanes. There may be an exception somewhere, though. I doubt that there are many.

As I was waiting at the lights waiting to turn into Downs Road this morning, two vehicles switched from left lane to right cut in front of me and blatantly rljed scattering peds as they went. Where were the cops?

I see this every day - both the sneaky "speed up and oops didn't see the lights change" and the blatant but more honest "sailing through" techniques.

Bit off topic but thank you very much for the motorcycle cop who pulled o ver the motorist who overtook me with 2 inches of space on the Embankment about 40 mins ago.

In your face shit car driver!

(That said he didn't seem too pleased when I gave him the thumbs up and thanksed him as I cycled by - still he didn't mention my blue flashing wheeel lights so it#s all good)

Though frankly if you get caught by them you deserve it they're very obvious. Stopping the scourge of RLJing plaguing our fair city outside the fire station on Kingsland...

2 coppers on path North of Regent's Park on the Outer Circle.

Is it no cycling or something?