Bikes in Bus Lanes 05.01.09

[GSmonkey]

Before we all get too giddy, its limited to:

-Red routes
-"With Flow" bus lanes

TfL Information on Motorcyles in bus lanes

 

[judge]

All bus lanes on my route up to the Ace Cafe today (London Boroughs of Bromley, Greenwhich, Lewisham, Southwark, Lambeth, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and whatever else is along the A40 and Brent) had the new signage up allowing Motorcycle usage so I filled my boots even though in most case the rest of the road was flowing - it was a nice feeling especially as they were largely devoid of buses. Won't be the same tomorrow when it will be choked with bendy buses but hey-ho.

 

[JoeC]

Well, out of 13 miles getting to work I can use about 400 yards of bus lane going over Blackfriars Bridge in London. Looks like I'm still stuck using the other ones illegally

 

[Pathologic]

Quite chuffed

I have changed my route to use the maximum number of miles on Jamaca Road and East India Dock Road (yes I know that one is not new. This means using the Rotherhithe tunnel instead of Tower Bridge. So now it will be the pollution rather than the traffic that gets me.

I agree it does feel good and is a little less stressful. Has anyone come near to scaring a cyclist yet? Apparnetly the LCC say they are 'furious'. Can't see it myself, am I taveling too fast?

Regards,

Path.

 

[Wapping]

Apparnetly the LCC say they are 'furious'.

Excellent. That'll exhaust their anger before they need hurl their abuse at people for having the audacity to walk on the pavement.

 

[judge]

A week on and I note that Lambeth (que'lle surprise) have refused to open bus lanes on non red-routes and therefore the only place I've ever got done for riding in a bus lane is still off limits - its there more a scum feck council than those shisters

You do need to have your wits about you and remember if you're riding in London that NOT ALL BUS LANES ARE OPEN TO MOTORCYCLES and I would imagine there has been some rich pickings since the 5th Jan where riders have assumed they are and are due a brown envelope in the mat before the month is out

 

[Deleted Member I]

It works for me!

Piccaddilly!
Marylebone road

It's really brilliant as I am crap at filtering

 

[JoeC]

Well, out of 13 miles getting to work I can use about 400 yards of bus lane going over Blackfriars Bridge in London. Looks like I'm still stuck using the other ones illegally

Just found another 10 yards of red route bus lane that I can use!

 

[The Planner]

Scared a couple of cyclists - those that 'assume' people behind them see them, will move out of the way, will give way...
Good blast on the horn right behind them plus a shouted use your mirrors normally works.
Generally though no problems, journey to work - Deptford to King's Cross five minutes quicker
Nige

 

[DavidHale]

For the past 6 months I mostly been using my push bike to get to work (normally Woodford in East London to Clerkenwell.) so I like to think I can see both sides of the coin as it were. And since Jan 5th how many motorbikes have come past me in the bus lanes? Hmmm... none. And what's the only vehicle I'd like to see banned from bus lanes (speaking as a cyclist/motorcyclist/car and van driver in central London)? Buses. Ban the feckin lot of them! Driven by incompetents with no consideration or awareness of other road users. What happened to their training? Bus drivers used to be good drivers (my Dad drove London buses from 1972-1986), but now? Crap, the lot of them!

 

[DavidHale]

Good blast on the horn right behind them plus a shouted use your mirrors normally works.

Gosh, that was clever. Did it make you feel all pleased with yourself? Couldn't just wait for a moment or two until the road widened a bit so you could pass safely?
Oh, and how many push bikes have mirrors to use...?

 

[The Bede]

... Oh, and how many push bikes have mirrors to use...?

... Or compulsory basic training, testing and a licence before they're allowed on the road, VED discs, periodic MOTs to ensure they're roadworthy, or 3rd party insurance

 

[Steptoe]

Bus lane from barnes up to hammersmith bridge is out of bounds.

 

[The Planner]

Gosh, that was clever. Did it make you feel all pleased with yourself? Couldn't just wait for a moment or two until the road widened a bit so you could pass safely?
Oh, and how many push bikes have mirrors to use...?

I was actually about six feet off his rear wheel - both behind and to the side - when the idiot pulled straight out in front of me - thanks for ABS!
Some bikes do have mirrors and ALL riders have a neck that can turn for an over the shoulder look - just like I do.
With any luck he MIGHT think about looking or getting a mirror. Not too difficult surely? I even look over my shoulder walking down the pavement before 'changing lanes'. If I can, they can.
And before an old injury came too painful, I used to push-bike 600+ miles a week, 60 mile commute everyday and then off over the tracks, so I am well aware of push-bikes.

 

[Knock off]

I come into the smoke from kent and take the lewisham, New cross, Victoria Station, Park Lane to mayfair and nearly all lanes have the motorbike symbol.

Well pleased.

When did westminster start charging for the bike parking ?

My VFR give me some jip the other day and i parked niecly into a bay thinking nothing of it until i came back to a ticket.

Shoes you how long it's been parking on the street.

£40 well chuffed the feckers

 

[Deleted Member I]

I come into the smoke from kent and take the lewisham, New cross, Victoria Station, Park Lane to mayfair and nearly all lanes have the motorbike symbol.

Well pleased.

When did westminster start charging for the bike parking ?

My VFR give me some jip the other day and i parked niecly into a bay thinking nothing of it until i came back to a ticket.

Shoes you how long it's been parking on the street.

£40 well chuffed the feckers

Quite a while ago! There's been a couple of protest about it already.

Although there are clear signs about the parking and as councils go I think Westminster is quite efficient.

 

[BBB61]

My wife got caught out with that scheme a couple of weeks ago. We wrote in and made informal representations, told them she was an infrequent visitor to the West End and that she was unaware of the scheme (it is a pilot scheme) and would they cancel the ticket on this occasion. Which they did!

 

[The Slow Granger]

Westminister - fines

Me too knock - off, spoiled a very nice day and I thought I was being a good boy, just didn't realise and didn't look!

No excuse but all infrequent visitors to London beware!

 

[The Slow Granger]

signage update?

Can someone tell me if the signs have been modified to show that mcycles can use these lanes - or do we just follow the flow and hope we can remember the maps!!

 

[Deleted Member I]

Can someone tell me if the signs have been modified to show that mcycles can use these lanes - or do we just follow the flow and hope we can remember the maps!!

All the ones I have been on have signs changed to include bikes. ALSO buses used to have signs saying stay out of bus lanes with motorbikes symbols. These have been "covered" up.

Also an easy way to check. IT'S ALL THE RED ROUTES that is controlled by TFL so they are the ones you can ride on. Hence regent street, although central is not covered .. only double yellow lines.