Motorcycles in bus lanes

[BentMikey]

How will you deal with bikers in bus lanes? I'm talking about specific strategies to deal with the (I think) almost inevitable close and high speed passes that we'll get from some bikers.

 

[Flyingfox]

Well I'll see what happens in the first couple of weeks, I think young kids on scooters are going to be the worst. I've had one bloke two days running do a close overtake on the inside whilst I was cycling in a bus lane and he shouldn't even be in the bus lane!!

If I get some close calls, I might have to invest in a camera.















!

 

[ChrisKH]

GPMG on the handlebars should discourage close overtakes.

Seriously, I'm going to play it by ear to see how good/bad it is.

 

[CotterPin]

The LCC are encouraging their local groups in the different boroughs to carry out cycle counts before and after the introduction of the pilot scheme to see if there is any change in cyclists on specific roads. It won't be strictly accurate because the data will be collected at different times of year (around now and then in January) but it may give some useful information.

Hopefully, TfL may do some of their own research in this field.

Other than that I would suggest that if you have any experiences of dangerous behaviour by motorcyclists in the bus lanes, to keep a record of it and to feed it to TfL or even to Johnson himself.

It is also worth bearing in mind that the pilot is only on red routes. It does not include bus lanes on other roads and it most certainly does not cover bike lanes or Advanced Stop Lines. It is worth observing whether there is an increase in this activity (if it can get higher).

 

[tdr1nka]

I've noticed a marked increase in scooters undertaking and overtaking me too close in the bus lanes on the Old Kent Road this last week.

Having to spend an inordinate amount of the ride checking repeatedly over both shoulders to insure I can move within the width of the bus lane.

 

[jonesy]

The LCC are encouraging their local groups in the different boroughs to carry out cycle counts before and after the introduction of the pilot scheme to see if there is any change in cyclists on specific roads. It won't be strictly accurate because the data will be collected at different times of year (around now and then in January) but it may give some useful information.

Hopefully, TfL may do some of their own research in this field.

Other than that I would suggest that if you have any experiences of dangerous behaviour by motorcyclists in the bus lanes, to keep a record of it and to feed it to TfL or even to Johnson himself.

It is also worth bearing in mind that the pilot is only on red routes. It does not include bus lanes on other roads and it most certainly does not cover bike lanes or Advanced Stop Lines. It is worth observing whether there is an increase in this activity (if it can get higher).

I'm pretty sure TfL is doing before- and after- monitoring of the 'pilot'. However, allowing motorbikes into bus lanes on the TfL roads is bound to lead to increased illegal use of bus lanes elsewhere, where there is unlikely to be monitoring. Even if problems are found during the pilot it will be hard to reverse it.

My biggest concern is actually the impact on pedestrians. It is already bad enough to try to cross safely on multi- lane roads, without adding a lot of much faster but less visible vehicles into a lane that was previously less hazardous and much more predictable. Motorbikes are already disproportionately involved in vulnerable road user fatalities and I can't see how this is going to help, especially when they are also trying to maximise traffic flow through traffic lights which is unlikely to improve pedestrian crossing provision.

 

[LOGAN 5]

I've noticed a marked increase in scooters undertaking and overtaking me too close in the bus lanes on the Old Kent Road this last week.

Having to spend an inordinate amount of the ride checking repeatedly over both shoulders to insure I can move within the width of the bus lane.

+1
I've been experiencing this for ages on the A23 red route bus lane through Streatham-Kennington as it's been legal for motorbikes to use this previous trial route for some time now. They undertake and overtake close as you say which is tricky if having to move out for manholes or other obstacles or even overtaking buses at the stops. I can see it only getting worse. I've taken to using more hand signals which seems to slow them down a bit.

The scooters are the worst. They don't seem to be able to anticipate much or read the road propertly.

 

[BentMikey]

Isn't this covered in cylecraft?

Why not come up with a constructive suggestion instead?

 

[tdr1nka]

Isn't this covered in cylecraft?

I think you'll have to wait for the updated edition as and when the decision to allow motorcycles in bus lanes is rolled out across the board.

 

[tdr1nka]

+1
I've been experiencing this for ages on the A23 red route bus lane through Streatham-Kennington as it's been legal for motorbikes to use this previous trial route for some time now. They undertake and overtake close as you say which is tricky if having to move out for manholes or other obstacles or even overtaking buses at the stops. I can see it only getting worse. I've taken to using more hand signals which seems to slow them down a bit.

The scooters are the worst. They don't seem to be able to anticipate much or read the road propertly.

I just hold the center of the bus lane these days and check more for anyone undertaking, this way I keep from being forced into the gutter by buses & taxi's, but it is not ideal.
I had originally thought it wouldn't be much different having bikes in the bus lane but I'm fast coming round to needing to eat my hat!!

 

[Jake]

I'm fearing it. the buslane is somewhere I feel relativly safe. I guess a lot of peoples opinions about it depend on their routes to work. If i was sitll on the towpath i wouldnt give a toss as it would not affect me. but now i feel I'm just going to be waiting to be run down. It's scary/dangerous enough as it is. Echoing other posts about potholes and the speed they come up behind you without any warning. I do think its going to put people off cycling and as soon as the injuries and deaths caused by MB's, which I belive they will, it will eventualy put me off too.

 

[tdr1nka]

I'm fearing it. the buslane is somewhere I feel relativly safe. I guess a lot of peoples opinions about it depend on their routes to work. If i was sitll on the towpath i wouldnt give a toss as it would not affect me. but now i feel I'm just going to be waiting to be run down. It's scary/dangerous enough as it is. Echoing other posts about potholes and the speed they come up behind you without any warning. I do think its going to put people off cycling and as soon as the injuries and deaths caused by MB's, which I belive they will, it will eventualy put me off too.

A tad pessimistic I fear, but fair points none the less.
What will be needed is for cyclists to further adapt to traffic in order to ride safely.

As I've said before I now take up the whole bus lane where I can, this started when I found the majority of cab drivers overtake while straddling the outside line which is still too close in my book.
Why do they do this??

 

[Domestique]

I'm fearing it.

Me too. We dont have many bus lanes around here so it wont really affect me that much, apart from when we are in London.
I have as much trust in motorcycles as I do any other powered vehicle.

 

[Jake]

hmm my other half cycles in the middle of hte bus lane where-as i tend to go closer in to the kerb. I think, maybe, if the roads were of a better condition then it would not be so much of an issue.

I aslo think everytime you give in a little and they take away something then people will take advantage and take more. (i know this don't make much sense, but im trying here lol) Bikes already encroach into cycle lanes and into ASL's, as do taxis. Now they are in bus lanes, i think the tendency of human nature is to try and push the limits a bit more. hmmmm still dont make much sense does it. I know what i mean though lol. Everyone tries to push the bounderies a little to see how much they can get away with. oh dear, i think i will give up on this one as head isnt screwed on today.

 

[tdr1nka]

In my experience so far, motorcycles aren't going to be that much of a prob.
At present, on my rides, they are using the bus lane to filter but generally keeping to the far left of the lane and are being courteous, it is the scooters IMO that are proving to be the real irritation.