I wrote to Boris Johnson objecting to motorbikes in London's bus lanes and have been following the story in the cycle press. Over 3500 London Cycling Campaign members signed the petition so I really hope he reconsiders his decision to allow motorbikes.
Anyhow, those of you who know Brixton Hill (A23 permanent mixed use cycle/motorbike bus lane following trial) will understand what a tricky road it is. It's very busy and very fast. Down hill (going north) has some nasty pot holes, sunken drains etc. There's the usual problem of swooping taxis and a very busy multiple bus route. So where is there room to cycle down this road avoiding all the holes and managing to keep out of the way of motorbikes whizzing past between me and the traffic on the outside lane with just inches between us at 40mph?
What's the solution, sit in the gutter and take my chances with the pot holes, drains? Sit in the middle of the lane and give the bikes room to squeeze past too close at speed? Or take the line they're on eg about a foot or two inside the white bus lane marking thus avoiding the "squeeze at speed" but risk annoying them or being hit or being undertaken? Not looking forward to riding this stretch when it gets dark and/or in the wet.
I personally feel it's very dangerous to mix motorbikes and scooters in with cyclists in the bus lane. They use it as an express undertaking lane and will undertake traffic which is flowing at the legal speeds just to get past. I don't feel safe at all in this lane so come winter I'll change my route.
Anyone else cycle this stretch and have any problems? I'll mention that I'm on a slow bike and can't dominate my lane as some of you faster riders do in primary etc at 20mph+.
Anyhow, those of you who know Brixton Hill (A23 permanent mixed use cycle/motorbike bus lane following trial) will understand what a tricky road it is. It's very busy and very fast. Down hill (going north) has some nasty pot holes, sunken drains etc. There's the usual problem of swooping taxis and a very busy multiple bus route. So where is there room to cycle down this road avoiding all the holes and managing to keep out of the way of motorbikes whizzing past between me and the traffic on the outside lane with just inches between us at 40mph?
What's the solution, sit in the gutter and take my chances with the pot holes, drains? Sit in the middle of the lane and give the bikes room to squeeze past too close at speed? Or take the line they're on eg about a foot or two inside the white bus lane marking thus avoiding the "squeeze at speed" but risk annoying them or being hit or being undertaken? Not looking forward to riding this stretch when it gets dark and/or in the wet.
I personally feel it's very dangerous to mix motorbikes and scooters in with cyclists in the bus lane. They use it as an express undertaking lane and will undertake traffic which is flowing at the legal speeds just to get past. I don't feel safe at all in this lane so come winter I'll change my route.
Anyone else cycle this stretch and have any problems? I'll mention that I'm on a slow bike and can't dominate my lane as some of you faster riders do in primary etc at 20mph+.
