Buses

[Twanger]

Is there any obligation to give way to buses when cycling in the bus lane? I had a look at the HC but couldn't find anything. Twice now I have been squeezed by buses when coming up to bus stops. Looked at the drivers and both have made "get out of my way!" gestures. Is should add that on both occasions I was travelling at a good speed (20+) on a clear bus lane, and that actually waiting for me to pass the stop would not have delayed the bus. But still they try to overtake just to stop immediately.

What's chapter and verse on this?

 

[tdr1nka]

They should give way to you by rights.
Having lived in Crystal Palace myself I am able to say that if the drivers are coming back to the bus station on the parade they are normally at the end of a shift and so tired and grumpy.
To make best of the situation you need to ride in the bus lane about a meter and a half from the kerb, you are at liberty to do this, the bus will then have to wait behind you or find a safe moment at which to overtake.

 

[Twanger]

They should give way to you by rights.
Having lived in Crystal Palace myself I am able to say that if the drivers are coming back to the bus station on the parade they are normally at the end of a shift and so tired and grumpy.
To make best of the situation you need to ride in the bus lane about a meter and a half from the kerb, you are at liberty to do this, the bus will then have to wait behind you or find a safe moment at which to overtake.

Crystal Palace is an oasis of peace and tolerance in a world full of road rage. Both my encounters happened in Brixton Road, when the road was empty and the buses had a good speed up as well.

 

[gavintc]

I just sit in the middle of the lane making it very difficult for them to overtake. Occasionally, I will move out to the 3/4 point to force them into the outer car lane.

 

[HLaB]

I find the buses round my way are generally good and giveway to most people. I tend to return the favour and let them out and draft them.
I've only once had a bus overtake and immediately try to pull into a bus stop, I tend to sit out in a more dominant position too.

 

[marinyork]

Is there any obligation to give way to buses when cycling in the bus lane? I had a look at the HC but couldn't find anything. Twice now I have been squeezed by buses when coming up to bus stops. Looked at the drivers and both have made "get out of my way!" gestures. Is should add that on both occasions I was travelling at a good speed (20+) on a clear bus lane, and that actually waiting for me to pass the stop would not have delayed the bus. But still they try to overtake just to stop immediately.

What's chapter and verse on this?

The bus is not permitted to overtake because it would involve exiting a lane to divide traffic and then re-entering it which is not a legal overtaking manuever.

 

[Davidc]

Is there any obligation to give way to buses when cycling in the bus lane?
What's chapter and verse on this?

I tend to work on the principle that they're bigger than me, and I'll lose any argument ........

 

[very-near]

I just sit in the middle of the lane making it very difficult for them to overtake. Occasionally, I will move out to the 3/4 point to force them into the outer car lane.

Don't you mean the buses are in 'your' cycle lane Gavin ?

 

[lazyfatgit]

Round my way the buses are usually pretty good. I even had one first bus sit behind me for a good way until i pulled up and let him pass on a narrow country road. When I passed him in town he was content to sit behind me between stops until I lost him on a downhill stertch.

I've not got much experience with bus lanes, but I just treat them like any other rd when i come across them - make sure I use a rd position appropriate for my safety.

 

[Tynan]

99% excellent but the odd one that isn;t is a genuine danger

a very strong position works perfectly

 

[purplepolly]

+ 99

I used the buses on a very busy route for several years before I started cycle commuting down part fo the same road. Speaking from observation as a passenger, cyclists who took a strong position before stops, looked behind before moving out and gave buses more room where possibly got treated far better by bus drivers than gutter cyclists and ones without a rear view facility.