Bus lanes solely for buses?

[goo_mason]

If a bus lane doesn't have a sign saying that it can also be used by taxis and bikes, does this mean it's illegal for us to use it?

Newly discovered rabid anti-cyclist colleague at work was whining at me this morning because 'you cyclists shouldn't be using the bus lanes' (yet when we're not in them, we apparently deserve everything we get (close passes, side-swipes and assaults) because there's no way anyone should let any cyclist dictate the speed of the traffic which gets stuck behind them). Similar punishment should be meted out to any cyclist on the road when there's a perfectly good off-road cycle lane alongside.
To think I've got on with this person for the last 11 years and only now does this other side show! I thought she was on a wind-up at first, but it slowly became apparent that she wasn't...

 

[tjsc1]

I know there a few bus lanes in London that exclude taxis, they have cameras and drivers have been fined!! So I suppose if there is 'no' pictures/words of cyclists, dont go in them!!
TC

 

[CotterPin]

65
Bus Lanes. Most bus lanes may be used by cyclists as indicated on signs. Watch out for people getting on or off a bus. Be very careful when overtaking a bus or leaving a bus lane as you will be entering a busier traffic flow. Do not pass between the kerb and a bus when it is at a stop.

From the Highway Code, although I think in reality the signs aren't always there. In London if cyclists are excluded from a bus lane there should be a sign to this effect. Others may know more.

 

[ianrauk]

In SE London in Catford we have a gyratory at Rushey Green. Buses use a lane which bypass this and of which only buses are allowed.
It has the blue bus roundel along with another sign underneath saying 'Only'

The LCC & other Local Cycling groups have been trying to get this changed so that cyclists can use it, as the gyratory can be lethal. However TFL are not budging as the lane is enclosed by ironwork leaving no room for a get out if there is a bus/cyclist coming together, which is fair enough. However they also refuse to remove said ironwork either to make it safe for cyclists.

This does not stop the majority of cyclists using the lane. Something like 90% use the lane rather then the gyratory.

So... if it doesn't have a sign saying otherwise.. then it's for use by cyclists imo

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

[QUOTE 1284536"]
I'd use them regardless - there is no way I would expose myself to the risk of being undertaken by a bus because I'm riding in the non bus lane bit of the road.
[/quote]

+1

 

[Davidc]

Quite right that if it doesn't show cyclists are allowed then cyclists aren't.

I go in them anyway unless theres a sign, as described by ianrauk in post #5.

 

[BSRU]

There is a road I use which is a bus lane in both direction, it has road markings at one end stating bus and cycles but from the opposite direction the road markings state bus only. It appears from the paint on the road that I should make a sharp turn to the left of the road and onto a shared path for about 150 metres then swing back onto the road.
I always stay on the road as it is far safer than the path, on approach to the bus gate where the bus lane starts I check behind, if any buses are behind me I wait and let them go first in order not to hold them up.
Although it did not work earlier today as I approached the bus gate, I saw a Royal Mail van behind me which I did not wait for, it turned out to technically be a bus as it could carry eight passengers or more.

 

[Dan B]

I've never seen a "no bikes allowed" bus lane except where it's a contraflow bus lane, so I'd guess the "undertaken by buses" scenario is unlikely

 

[crumpetman]

There is a road I use which is a bus lane in both direction, it has road markings at one end stating bus and cycles but from the opposite direction the road markings state bus only. It appears from the paint on the road that I should make a sharp turn to the left of the road and onto a shared path for about 150 metres then swing back onto the road.
I always stay on the road as it is far safer than the path, on approach to the bus gate where the bus lane starts I check behind, if any buses are behind me I wait and let them go first in order not to hold them up.
Although it did not work earlier today as I approached the bus gate, I saw a Royal Mail van behind me which I did not wait for, it turned out to technically be a bus as it could carry eight passengers or more.

The royal mail van was not a bus despite having enough seats so should not be in the bus lane. Having lots of seats does not make a vehicle a bus or else you would see a lot more privately owned non-passenger carrying mini buses in bus lanes around london.

 

[subaqua]

The royal mail van was not a bus despite having enough seats so should not be in the bus lane. Having lots of seats does not make a vehicle a bus or else you would see a lot more privately owned non-passenger carrying mini buses in bus lanes around london.

depends if it has been registered with DVLA as a bus.

some older Landrovers benefit from this. also makes them CC exelpt too. Loads of little loopholes for things if you look hard enough.

 

[taxing]

There's a bus lane going into the station that has 'bus only' painted on it, I wouldn't ride in there because I don't fancy being squished (and don't want to bike into the bus station, particularly). That's the only place I've ever seen one.

 

[Tigerbiten]

Theres a short bus only lane at the end of Black Lion Hill in Northampton.
Bikes are ment to cut onto a shared use pavement.
But my trike + trailer wont fit on the pavement section of the cycle route, so I stay on the road.
Its ok going west-east as the traffic lights work with a bike that way.
Going east-west is another matter.
My trike won't change the lights.
Plus to get a bus to change the lights when stuck behind me, I need to edge forward across the ped crossing, blocking it, untill I can only just see the lights.
Only then the bus is far enough forward to trigger the lights.

Luck .............

 

[Jezston]

depends if it has been registered with DVLA as a bus.

some older Landrovers benefit from this. also makes them CC exelpt too. Loads of little loopholes for things if you look hard enough.

Quite. The company minibus is allowed to go in bus-only places an that.

 

[BSRU]

The royal mail van was not a bus despite having enough seats so should not be in the bus lane. Having lots of seats does not make a vehicle a bus or else you would see a lot more privately owned non-passenger carrying mini buses in bus lanes around london.

The legal definition of a bus, with respect to bus lanes, is a motorised vehicle capable of carrying more than eight passengers.
It was a surprise to me as I thought a bus would need a PSV licence to drive it.

Turns out the Royal Mail van was not technically a bus as after reviewing the video I can see it does not have enough seats.

 

[subaqua]

The legal definition of a bus, with respect to bus lanes, is a motorised vehicle capable of carrying more than eight passengers.
It was a surprise to me as I thought a bus would need a PSV licence to drive it.

Turns out the Royal Mail van was not technically a bus as after reviewing the video I can see it does not have enough seats.

there was a legalese change to driver licensing after someone succesfully challenged that a PSV wasn't required if there were no fare paying passengers eg shopper buses run by supermarkets and some school owned buses.

the change was to PCV passenger carrying vehicle rather than public service vehicle.

and royal mail do have POSTbuses , but generally in the Ahole of nowhere like the highlands , although Swindon does fall into the Ahole of nowhere category