Bus lanes

[ClichéGuevara]

Seriously?

Should I ask them to paint it to make it a more humorous cash cow?

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Not wanting to be funny here, but you been caught speeding multiple times and now driving in the bus lane when you should not have, yet you come on a cycling forum for sympathy. Brave

Caught speeding once, and I haven't asked for sympathy. I'm not especially brave either, so if it wasn't for your success in not wanting to be funny, that'd pretty much be a nap hand for you.

 

[growingvegetables]

Should I ask them to paint it to make it a more humorous cash cow?

I'm sure we could think of appropriate symbols to paint on the lane.

You never know - might work better than the sane and sensible ones they use now

 

[RedRider]

I'm sure we could think of appropriate symbols to paint on the lane.

You never know - might work better than the sane and sensible ones they use now

 

[Specialeyes]

Thing is, I do feel this goes against the principle of the bus lane, and simply makes it the cash cow everyone accuses it of being.

I ride, walk and drive a lot in London and I don't think I've ever thought of a bus lane as a cash cow. Occasionally when driving I think of them as a special secret lane for those blessed with an accurate clock and the ability to read signs, but never as a cash cow. Is this specific to this one lane in Hull, or am I missing something?

 

[ClichéGuevara]

I ride, walk and drive a lot in London and I don't think I've ever thought of a bus lane as a cash cow. Occasionally when driving I think of them as a special secret lane for those blessed with an accurate clock and the ability to read signs, but never as a cash cow. Is this specific to this one lane in Hull, or am I missing something?

Not really. In general, I like them. They only operate for a short time, am peak in bound and pm peak out bound, so the rest of the time, they're empty while the outside lane is full, so it make it, as you say, a secret lane for most of the day.

I like the principle that they contribute to encouraging a modal shift, as bus and bike are often faster because of them. The issue is, they don't have them in operation on Sundays, because there are significantly less buses running. There are even less, and on occasions none on a bank holiday. For me, that means the road should operate as it does 22hrs most days, and 24hrs on Sundays, for the same reasons. Especially as the Highway Code says that you should travel in the inside lane, unless there's specific reason not to, such as passing cyclists, and also because that's how they were originally.

Sending out FPN for times when the road is empty goes against the general principle, and really is just a fund raiser.

 

[Markymark]

Not really. In general, I like them. They only operate for a short time, am peak in bound and pm peak out bound, so the rest of the time, they're empty while the outside lane is full, so it make it, as you say, a secret lane for most of the day.

I like the principle that they contribute to encouraging a modal shift, as bus and bike are often faster because of them. The issue is, they don't have them in operation on Sundays, because there are significantly less buses running. There are even less, and on occasions none on a bank holiday. For me, that means the road should operate as it does 22hrs most days, and 24hrs on Sundays, for the same reasons. Especially as the Highway Code says that you should travel in the inside lane, unless there's specific reason not to, such as passing cyclists, and also because that's how they were originally.

Sending out FPN for times when the road is empty goes against the general principle, and really is just a fund raiser.

It raises funds from people who think the rules don't apply to them or who aren't paying attention. Couldn't care less.

 

[DaveReading]

Could you not buy a bus, and transfer your current registration to it ?

 

[ClichéGuevara]

It raises funds from people who think the rules don't apply to them or who aren't paying attention. Couldn't care less.

Where have I said the rules don't apply to me?

Do you accept every rule people invent without questioning them to see if there's a more effective way to meet the objectives?

Actually, the PCN lists a whole bundle of situations where the rules don't apply, but it's not particularly avoiding the penalty that's my main reason for posting..

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Could you not buy a bus, and transfer your current registration to it ?

I can possibly get a taxi plate, as they're exempt. but I won't.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Whats the signage like? is it well sign posted? If the signage is poor or barely legal you might have a chance. Personally I'd just pay up and try and be more attentive next time.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Whats the signage like? is it well sign posted? If the signage is poor or barely legal you might have a chance. Personally I'd just pay up and try and be more attentive next time.

There's nothing at all wrong with the signage or the lay out as far as I know, and paying or not paying isn't really the issue, although I'd rather not.

For me it's the case that having the cameras in operation, at a time the buses are not in operation or the roads are dead, is against the spirit of the legislation. There's a better argument for them operating more during the weekdays, and even more so for Saturdays when peak traffic times are different.

I think I was caught out as I'd been off the week before, and the days of the week become immaterial. It felt more like a Sunday than the Sunday did.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Just to clarify, as when I was caught speeding, I'll pay my dues without squealing, and can accept that, as it stands the law says thou shalt not, and I did, no argument.

But in the same way I'd query a speed limit, be it too high or too low, I don't see much wrong in querying the bus lane periods.

Incidentally, the road I was caught doing about 35mph on in a queue of traffic, was increased to 40mph within months of me being fined, although that was nothing to do with me. So my speed had gone from excessive to slow/moderate at the stroke of a pen.

Anyway, this is ending up a tad more serious than I expected, so I'll move on.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

A couple of years ago I got five FPNs within a short space of time from a monitored bus lane near my place of work. The lane itself has been there years but the camera was new at the time. On each occasion I was shown to be straying into the lane just as it ended (as opposed to driving the length of it). This was, I guess, habitual - moving over to the left for an upcoming junction. I appealed and got my five FPNs reduced to one.
At the time Leeds City Council was facing a lot of criticism for its enforcement. One camera alone generated over £250,000 in fine revenue in its first 10 months.
If you think you have mitigating circumstances then it's worth an appeal IMO.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Try the Peppipoo forum or whatever it's called. Worth a try, nothing to lose as you say you're already expecting to pay.

I do feel for you a bit. I'm lucky enough to live in a city where cycles and motorbikes can use every bus lane ever. if I lived in that there London I'd probably use one by mistake and get caught.

On the subject of cash cows: There is an element of that depending on where it is. My wife got "caught" in a bus lane in the car and fined. The bus lane ends suddenly and merges into a turn left lane. She turned left too soon and clipped the edge of the bus lane by about 5 feet (captured in the picture). To me, that is not really a blatant misuse of a bus lane.