Bikes in London bus lanes

[Big Dave]

Precedent maybe

http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/uan/3726

[prettybillie]

Ahh the Brits - so far behind the times

[Big Dave]

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td>Motorcycles in bus lane trial

By David Arthur (http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/localiser/member.asp?SP=&v=1&memNo=89767)

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</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" height="10">http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/t.gif</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Cycling in London is fraught with danger, with packed roads and everybody in a mad rush to get about; the cyclist is one of the most vulnerable road users. Until now, a haven of motor vehicle absence has been red route bus lanes, to which previously only buses, taxis and cyclists were allowed access.
That's all set to change. As of Monday 5 January, Transport for London is beginning an 18-month trial to allow motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and tricycles - but not those with sidecars - to travel in most red route bus lanes.
Red route bus lanes make up 5% of roads in London, but they carry approximately 33% of the city's traffic, and are key roads in London. Red routes are easily identifiable because they are flanked by red, instead of yellow, lines.
In his transport manifesto, Major Boris Johnson said: “I believe we should embrace any measure that has the potential to relieve congestion, especially if new evidence shows it to be safe and effective. Therefore, I will allow motorcycles in bus lanes. I believe that motorcycles will help combat congestion, and we should encourage greater use of them.”
Monitoring of the trial will be undertaken to determine whether this becomes a permanent change. TfL is welcoming your feedback, and has setup a feedback form here asking for your thoughts (https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/finesandregulations/motorcycleinbuslanes/default.aspx) on the trial.
If you're not sure if this trial affects you, this TfL document (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/red-route-bus-lanes-motorcycles-allowed-to-travel-in.pdf) (PDF 143KB) outlines all the red route bus lanes that motorcyclists will be allowed in.
So, what do you think? Let's here from all the London based readers of RCUK on your thoughts on the trial. Will it really result in carnage in the bus lanes, or will cyclists and motorcyclists be able to get along harmoniously?

[Swoop]

Transport for London is beginning an 18-month trial to allow ... tricycles - but not those with sidecars - to travel in most red route bus lanes.

In his transport manifesto, Major Boris Johnson said:
Surely a bike with sidecar would be a better option than a "tricycle"?
Also, who promoted Boris to "Major"???

[johanek]

Evening,

Some UK cities have allowed motorcycles in Bus Lanes for some time. Also TFL (Transport for London) have ran trials in a couple of locations - the A13 from Limehouse to Canning Town in East London, the A23 toward Brixton in South London, along the Finchley Rd in North London, and along Piccadilly from Hyde Park corner toward Piccadilly Cirus. Also there is a Motorway bus lane on the M4 from the M25 for some distance.

This topic has been a regular occurance on UK motorcycle forums for some time. To summarise:

- TFL found in their trial that the number of KSIs (Killed or Seriously Injured) DECREASED for ALL vunerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists)

- This result was politically inconvenient, so there was some arguments about the statistical methods used and the trials were extended. The whole idea looked to be shelved until Boris became Mayor

- The cycling lobby has mobilised to try to make sure this doesn't happen. The previous Mayor, Ken Livingstone, was a massive proponent of cycling, hence the political thing. Interestingly though, Boris is an avid cyclist. Go figure

Personally, I don't like riding in the bus lanes if there is an alternative. If a car driver is turning left into a junction across a bus lane, then they only tend to look for Buses or Taxis, so that's a big danger to look out for.

If traffic is moving slowly, they are a better option than filtering. But then theres traffic turning right from the opposing lane that may be let through the slow moving traffic - and they're definately not looking for bikes in the bus lane.

Also the road surface on bus lanes is often very very poor and worse to ride on than most London roads.

All in all, it's a great thing on the more major roads with less junctions when traffic is heavy, i.e. roads outside the congestion charging zone. In those situations interactions with cyclists aren't a problem.

Inside the zone, I feel better off filtering on the offside - away from the cyclists (If only the fixed wheel idiots with their hot pink rims and an inability to look sideways would get out the way)