Southbound A10 bus lane at Tottenham Hale

[Dan B]

There's a section of the A10 near Tottenham Hale where the main road is northbound only with a contraflow bus lane, and other southbound traffic must go round three sides of a square, keeping in the right two lanes of a four lane road which sees *cough* reasonable speeds

It's the only bus lane I know of with no cycle markings: does anyone know if it's supposed to be a cycle lane too? Going round the loop is a bit scary even for a reasonably fast cyclist.

 

[zimzum42]

Just go down the bus lane, no one is going to give a shoot....

 

[Origamist]

Are there any blue bus lane signs? They should indicate if cyclists can use the bus lane, hours of operation etc.

 

[CotterPin]

This is one of the few bus lanes where cyclists are not permitted. I used to co-ordinate the local LCC group in Haringey and we fought long and hard on this but TfL wouldn't budge - cyclists would slow their buses! As a compromise there were plans for an on-pavement cycle track on the western side of the road but I don't recall whether that was progressed and I think we had concerns about access.

We would also have liked to see the removal of the entire gyratory.

I have cycled down the bus lane but from my memory (I haven't been in that area in a while) there is a bus stop half way down so you may find yourself stuck behind a bus loading up and there is no space to overtake.

 

[Twanger]

Back in the day (when I was doing my first stint of cycle commuting in London in the 80s) contraflow bus lanes were categorically out of bounds to cyclists. Has this changed?

 

[Origamist]

Back in the day (when I was doing my first stint of cycle commuting in London in the 80s) contraflow bus lanes were categorically out of bounds to cyclists. Has this changed?

Yes, but there are exceptions.

 

[zimzum42]

I don't reckon any copper is going to waste his/her time stopping you for this, it's so irrelevant...

 

[Origamist]

I don't reckon any copper is going to waste his/her time stopping you for this, it's so irrelevant...

I don't reckon most coppers will know if a bike can use the aforementioned bus lane or not...

If you come a cropper though, things might be different.

 

[blazed]

The way i see it a bus and bicycle are basically the same thing so just use the bus lanes.

 

[AnotherEye]

As a compromise there were plans for an on-pavement cycle track on the western side of the road but I don't recall whether that was progressed and I think we had concerns about access.

I live nearby and I can confirm that no cycle track has been added.
I know all the local backstreets; if the poster sends precise details of journey I may be able to recommend another route.

Gerry

 

[toontra]

I use the bus lane regularly, basically because the one-way system southbound is used as a 3-lane race track by many motorists and can be dangerous.

As CotterPin says, there are bus stops by Tescos which you often get held up at, but even so it is the quicker and safer option. I've only once had a bus try and cut me up (and swear at me). The trick is to give way to the buses and try and not get in their way - that way no-one is really bothered about the legality.

 

[ComedyPilot]

If it is not a motorway, and has no 'No Cycling' signs, then you can ride on it.

If you get stopped, ask the police to tell you how/where to ride for your journey.

 

[toontra]

If it is not a motorway, and has no 'No Cycling' signs, then you can ride on it.

This particular bus lane does have no-cycling signs.

Google Streetview of entrance to bus lane

 

[zimzum42]

It's a pretty stupid decision not to allow bikes into that bus lane, I would not feel bad ignoring the sign....

 

[Dan B]

This is one of the few bus lanes where cyclists are not permitted. I used to co-ordinate the local LCC group in Haringey and we fought long and hard on this but TfL wouldn't budge - cyclists would slow their buses!

How lame is that? Buses slow their buses ...

We would also have liked to see the removal of the entire gyratory.

I think Boris has promised that, or at least a return to two-way working

I live nearby and I can confirm that no cycle track has been added.
I know all the local backstreets; if the poster sends precise details of journey I may be able to recommend another route.

The journey is very simple: A10 from Great Cambridge roundabout (A406) to Shoreditch. It's not the nicest road I've ever cycled, but for the most part I can more or less keep up with traffic and at least it's on average downhill (or feels like it) in that direction.

This particular bus lane does have no-cycling signs.

Google Streetview of entrance to bus lane

Can't see that on this machine (broken Flash installation) but I'll take your word for it.

So, yeah, I'll probably carry on using the bus lane because it's not quite as exciting as going round the gyratory in the dark, but I was stuck between two buses (the one in front was taking on passengers) when I came that way on Tuesday night, which did prompted the thought of whether the drivers were going to get angry with me. And if anyone wants to accuse me of bringing cycling into disrepute by not obeying the law here, erm erm, very sorry but nuts to you