Firstly, I hope Laertes recovers well and goes down the official route.
Hooks in bus lanes are a real problem for cyclists and ptws – a recent campaign in London has highlighted the problem (and stressed that drivers should look out for bikers when crossing bus lanes), but the hazard is not going to go away.
"Barreling" along in a bus lanes is obviously a bad idea (as it means both moving quickly and inattentively), however, you can still move at a fair lick if you are vigilant around junctions and are prepared to cede priority a few times on your commute. By my own admission though, I often move too quickly in bus lanes as it’s easy to do
(but I am still overtaken by approx 80% of ptws moving at 30mph+ and I try to use these louder, faster ptws as outriders).
As a cyclist - identify problem junctions; watch for gaps in traffic; vehicles turning into and out of junctions in the distance; wheel angles; if you’re lucky: indicators; cover your brakes; shoulder check; ease off; adjust your line and try to get eye contact on the approach to junctions. All of these tactics mitigate the likelihood of a problem, but as I pass hundreds of side roads on my commute (and even if I’m doing some or all of the above), there is still a chance that I could come a cropper if the traffic conditions are against me, or I have a lapse in concentration.
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=EGPIPygh1qk