Motorcycles in your bus lane

been done over and over :
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread14636.html#post447516
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread6293.html
and even more importantly :
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread6133-9.html#post447437 207 posts that should answer your question

No problem with it... been cycling with them for the past 18 months and nothing's happened

occasional woah moment but other than that

ah sorry, don't know how i missed that. just got the email and i thought it was a new announcement.

You can find the details of the motorcyle industry's "code of conduct for motorcyclists in the bus lane" here http://www.mcia.co.uk/Public/Bus.aspx

I like this sentence:* We are ambassadors for motorcycling, riding in a bus lane is a privilege that needs to be respected.*

Motorcyclists rule OK.

Motorcyclists rule OK.

I thought that was car drivers?

why did you think that?

So on my usual route to work this morning, i encountered some roadworks obstructing the bus lane on Camden Road. After getting past them and just pulling back into the bus lane, some ignorant prick on a sports bike starts beeping me to get out of the way...WTF!!!!! I couldn't believe it, i wouldn't have thought it would be so soon that a motorcyclist would be abusing their new found freedom on London roads.

I blame Boris. It's all his fault i spent the rest of my journey fuming. Grr.

well, I'm more surprised that it hasn't happened sooner.

I blame Boris. It's all his fault i spent the rest of my journey fuming. Grr.

Did you suddenly grow an engine?

Report at

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1251

if you want.

More info:

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1250

OK, so who has actually seen any studies that prove that there is a significant risk to cyclists/motorcyclists where motorcyclists are allowed to use bus lanes? By studies, I don't mean mutliple anecdotes - this is not scientific.

Or should the case against be based on discouraging m/cyclists from using the road?

isn't this the experimental period to collect data for those studies?

does anyone know of this type of arrangement being in place in any other countries?

well, I'm more surprised that it hasn't happened sooner.

I'm not. This 18-month trial will run with very few collisions/incidents, just watch and see...

In the interests of balance is there an alternative form for motorcyclists reporting obstructive cyclists?

To the beepee. It could well be that the bike rider was a spanner. Some people are.

It could also be that he beeped to let you know he was there. Maybe you had wandered into his path without checking over your shoulder, or done something else to make him think you might not have realised he was there. Bikers use their horns a lot, though mostly at cars, are probably more likely than anyone else to be using it for the only legal reason - to warn someone else of their presence.

but yeah he could have just been a spanner.

Not sure if any of you had seen my post last week in the other motorbikes in bus lane thread with details of the Code of conduct for motorcyclists in the bus lane.

What I've noticed is the bus lane I take is not for motorcyclists but it is full of mopeds. Somehow the message that not all bus lanes are allowed for motorcyclists has not been much advertised. Am I wrong? The sign on my bus lane only has cyclist and bus.

(I'm being lazy on the research front as I know I'll get all the answers from Oliver).

bit off topic but i got this today.

We received a petition asking:
[INDENT]“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to save cyclists lives: Force fit of HGV blind-spot mirrors now!.”
Details of Petition:
“Join Cycling Plus magazine in calling for recommended EU legislation on HGV blind spot mirrors to be brought in now and save an estimated 18 cyclists a year (DfT’s own figures!). Don’t let the government fritter away time and lives until the March 2009 deadline. Vote to fit them now and make our city streets safer to cycle.”

Read the Government’s response

The UK is implementing this measure through changes to national legislation, in accordance with the timescale set out in Directive 2007/38/EC.  This requires vehicles within scope of the Directive to be retrofitted with wide angle mirrors, and a close proximity mirror on the passenger side by 31 March 2009.  Vehicles will be checked at annual test from 1 April onwards to ensure that the mirrors comply with the relevant requirements.
We are not permitted to bring forward the date of application set out in the Directive but will be implementing the requirements at the earliest opportunity permitted under EU law.  The Directive applies in all Member States of the EU, and will affect the majority of large goods vehicles.

[/INDENT]

Thanks EU

Robin, there's another thread on HGVs, could you publish it there, it will be of interest.

I would have slowed right down and made it very difficult for him to get past me with some erratic cycling, whilst giving him the finger. But I am a bit of an idiot

Not sure if any of you had seen my post last week in the other motorbikes in bus lane thread with details of the Code of conduct for motorcyclists in the bus lane.

What I've noticed is the bus lane I take is not for motorcyclists but it is full of mopeds. Somehow the message that not all bus lanes are allowed for motorcyclists has not been much advertised. Am I wrong? The sign on my bus lane only has cyclist and bus.

(I'm being lazy on the research front as I know I'll get all the answers from Oliver).

Try this instead:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

What, still not happy? :) Alright then.

Yes, by no means all bus lanes are now open for motorcyclists to use during operating hours. Most borough bus lanes and quite a few TLRN lanes are not. A few boroughs have made explicit commitments not to permit motorcycles in bus lanes on the street network for which they are the highway authority.

You can check whether 'your' bus lane is included here:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/finesandregulations/10151.aspx

This info may be more accurate than what currently exists on the ground.

However, note that outside of bus lane operating hours, all classes of vehicle are normally permitted as has always been the case, so carefully check the plates that should be placed alongside the bus lane. We have had reports of some signs missing alongside bus lanes.

If it turns out that you're witnessing a case of genuine confusion by motorcyclists, do post your experiences at the Bus Lane Watch link in my other post above.

Thank you Oliver. You know now why I'm lazy.

I'm still too busy watching the fucktards in cars that swerve left to worry about motos. I've seen a couple of scooters in the lanes and a medical courier moto but not too much. Worse comes to worst and you'll find me taking prime position on the right and they can have their bus lanes :)
Summer is gonna be awesome :S

This morning I witnessed and helped at the scene of a motorcylist/cyclist accident: cyclist crosses from the ped light into the path of a motorcyclist, motorcyclist stops and another cyclist goes into the back of the motorbike. It was very weird. Anyway I think she is ok, we did not call the ambulance. We all exchanged telephone numbers, it was sweet and I got to practice my new first aid skills (not really).

Not seen many in the bus lane to be honest, I ride a scooter (vintage) too and usually ride down the centre of the traffic, as most motorcycles seem to still do? Like mentioned above, it'll probably be the twist and go numpties who end up being a danger in the bus lane, bad enough before with them weaving in and out?

, some ignorant prick on a sports bike starts beeping me to get out of the way...WTF!!!!!

whenever someone does that to me i just start weaving around an slowing down. fuck 'em. bikes are the boss really coz all we can do is piss people off and there is nothing they can do about it, except run us down.

i fucking hate boris for putting motorcycles in bus lanes. pure politic driven crap.

i hope he gets knock off his bike for his sins.

ps. every study on motorcycles in bus lanes is fundamentally flawed and statistically unproven. the reality is that perception is the most important part of incresing cycling.