Topic: Bus lanes code of conduct from 5 jan

[eezyrida]

Pl see the excellent advice below, which I read on another forum (thanks to Giuliano for posting it):

From the Motorcycle Industry Association -

"Bus Lane Code of Conduct

A major report commissioned by Transport for London (TfL) on the effects of allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes provided overwhelming evidence of safety benefits to cyclists and pedestrians, as well as motorcyclists.

London’s Mayor, Boris Johnson has announced that motorcyclists will be allowed access to London’s bus lanes for a trail period of 18 months, as of 5th January 2009.

If this trial period achieves its objectives of cutting congestion and reducing casualties, it is likely this will become a permanent arrangement and open the door to motorcyclists to access to bus lanes in other parts of the country.

It is therefore imperative that motorcyclists use the bus lanes properly and responsibly. The MCI together with support from the Metropolitan Police and riders groups, have produced a Code of Conduct for motorcyclists using bus lanes. The Code covers the TfL rules associated with bus lane use and the etiquette that riders should observe in order to protect and respect cyclists and pedestrians.

Click here for the Full Code of Conduct for Motorcyclists in Bus Lanes

The Code of Conduct in brief:

1. We share bus lanes with other vulnerable road users, take extra care around them.
2. Be aware of pedestrians walking through traffic queues and at bus stops.
3. Look out for pedal cycles and give them a wide berth, they may suddenly change direction or position.
4. Pass cyclists on the offside only – never undertake.
5. Always assume cyclists cannot hear or see you behind them.
6. Do not use excessive speed when using bus lanes or overtaking cyclists.
7. Do not overtake each other.
8. Watch out for other vehicles at junctions and side roads.
9. Take extra care when riding alongside congested pavement areas.
10. We are ambassadors for motorcycling, riding in a bus lane is a privilege that needs to be respected." '

Full press release

Please, all, take note of this, and spread the word to fellow bikers in London.

[MATTP]

the Mayor has stuck to his word and given the bike riders of London a great chance. I hope that it works out great for all those using the bus lanes '>

[Darkmonster]

Damm....about time

We can use the car pool lanes over here when they are running...5am-9am and 3pm-7pm

[Old Peculier]

While this is of course great news (and about time too), I can't help wondering if all the road signs (and those on the rear of buses) will be replaced in time, or how much it will cost to do this.
Also, how many motorists will be aware of the change, and how will they respond if they are not.

[Aceman]

Quote (Old Peculier @ Dec. 28 2008,12:00)

While this is of course great news (and about time too), I can't help wondering if all the road signs (and those on the rear of buses) will be replaced in time, or how much it will cost to do this. Also, how many motorists will be aware of the change, and how will they respond if they are not.

The cost shouldn't matter.  The government will need to repalce the signs in order to make other road users and pedestrians aware that we now have full use of the bus lanes.  If it isn't done, there is a strong likelihood of cars not seeing us and colliding as they make left hand turns as they say "I didn't see you".  In changing the signs, it will highlight the fact that bikers now have the right to be there, and if they didn't see us, it's purely because they didn't look, as opposed to didn't notice us.

I still think that a prerequisite to taking car drinving lesson is that every person should have to spend at least 60-100 hours as a motorcyclist on normal public roads.  Even a moped would do, just something to make drivers aware of bikes and our vulnerability before they get behind a steering wheel.

[Mr Rizla]

and u get 5 points for every j-walkin pedestrian you get, as long as they never saw you and tried to eveade, those are only 3 points

[Ghost]

Still strongly disagree with this move, trialed in Brixton and watched more than my fair share of motorbikes end up under lorrys. Stick to the centre of the road, its where ur expected to be seen by the car driver, not flying up the inside, and please do not insult anybody here by saying, ooh we stick to the speed limit in the bus lanes. Hate the idea, always have, will not go in them myself.

[eezyrida]

Quote (Ghost @ Dec. 28 2008,17:11)

Still strongly disagree with this move, trialed in Brixton and watched more than my fair share of motorbikes end up under lorrys. Stick to the centre of the road, its where ur expected to be seen by the car driver, not flying up the inside, and please do not insult anybody here by saying, ooh we stick to the speed limit in the bus lanes. Hate the idea, always have, will not go in them myself.

Blimey this is completely contrary to my experience. I've been commuting along the A23 between Streatham and Kennington for over 10 years and used to regularly see accidents where bikes hit vehicles that were turning right or doing u-turns without warning, some very nasty and fatal.

I've yet to see an accident involving a bike on that stretch since the bus lanes were opened up.

[Mr Rizla]

Quote (eezyrida @ Dec. 28 2008,17:18)

I've yet to see an accident involving a bike on that stretch

long may that continue

[MATTP]

Quote (eezyrida @ Dec. 28 2008,17:18)

I've yet to see an accident involving a bike on that stretch since the bus lanes were opened up.

I never seen a crash along there also as I would ride that way to work each day. I did see the results of a crash along there (@ucking black cab driver  '>  ), didn't see it happen as I was part of it  '>  (I laugh as I walked away from it with nothing more than a sore leg and bike damge-the pigs could have made life so much more of a problem).

While I think Ghost has his points about so of us being twits in the bus lanes, I have to think that the learner riders and those on small bikes who do follow the road rules will be safer in the bus lanes.

[peckhamrose]

I am so happy about this legislation and even tho I did not vote for Boris I applaud how he has kept to his election promises including getting rid of the western extension of the congestion charge (which should be renamed as cars CAN go in for free if they are not 100% petrol cars), and getting rid of bendy busses, when - as regards the evidence about bikes in bus lanes - Ken suppressed the evidence.  

My main concern is not that car drivers won't know to expect us - because they don't look anyway - but the stupidity of a system where by you are driving on the bus lane in one road which happens to be a TfL road, then turn left and forget you are now not on a bit of road managed by TfL but on a council run road but you get photo'd for riding on the bus lane before you've remembered! I got done on Brixton's Acre Lane.
Another example is how when you are riding south down the A41 towards Baker Street - you're allowed in the bus lane, then there is a short stretch of Baker Street before crossing Euston/Marylebone Road where you are not allowed to be in it, then you cross into Baker Street again and you can!  Yet you have been in one long road!  Grrrrrrrr
I have written to Southwark with my opinions as part of their road transport plans and requests for people's opinions (read: They have made up their minds what t do but they're publicly funded so they have to ask people's opinions which will be filed in the file marked SHREDDER), asking them to follow suit and allow all of us in bus lanes.

[Ghost]

Quote (eezyrida @ Dec. 28 2008,17:18)

Quote (Ghost @ Dec. 28 2008,17:11) Still strongly disagree with this move, trialed in Brixton and watched more than my fair share of motorbikes end up under lorrys. Stick to the centre of the road, its where ur expected to be seen by the car driver, not flying up the inside, and please do not insult anybody here by saying, ooh we stick to the speed limit in the bus lanes. Hate the idea, always have, will not go in them myself. Blimey this is completely contrary to my experience. I've been commuting along the A23 between Streatham and Kennington for over 10 years and used to regularly see accidents where bikes hit vehicles that were turning right or doing u-turns without warning, some very nasty and fatal. I've yet to see an accident involving a bike on that stretch since the bus lanes were opened up.

Thats where one of my lorrys broke a guys foot putting him in hospital after attempting to turn left and a bike speeding up the inside lane, the second guy was a bit worse, broken arm, leg, ribs & shoulder after one of my lorrys got him.
Sorry, just hate the idea.

[MATTP]

Quote (Ghost @ Dec. 30 2008,18:20)

Thats where one of my lorrys broke a guys foot putting him in hospital after attempting to turn left and a bike speeding up the inside lane, the second guy was a bit worse, broken arm, leg, ribs & shoulder after one of my lorrys got him. Sorry, just hate the idea.

While I know that most of us would agree that car drivers need to look out more for us on bikes, I think motorbike riders need to learn also that a truck can have a blind spot the size of a car and in there a rider will be in a lot of danger. But I don't think central London will feel the effects of this as all the trucks I seen there were cab-overs.

When I rode with Tori in the bus lane each day I would stick to 30 or under and never had a problem. Had people on 125s and other larger bikes overtake me (never got anywhere due to the amount of lights) and race on. I think the main issue here is speeding in the bus lanes and not bikes in the bus lanes. I'm easy with 120-130 on the A or M roads but in areas like Brixton I think sticking to 30 is safe and the correct speed.

[Weaver]

Quote (peckhamrose @ Dec. 29 2008,21:00)

but the stupidity of a system where by you are driving on the bus lane in one road which happens to be a TfL road, then turn left and forget you are now not on a bit of road managed by TfL but on a council run road but you get photo'd for riding on the bus lane before you've remembered! I got done on Brixton's Acre Lane. Another example is how when you are riding south down the A41 towards Baker Street - you're allowed in the bus lane, then there is a short stretch of Baker Street before crossing Euston/Marylebone Road where you are not allowed to be in it, then you cross into Baker Street again and you can!  Yet you have been in one long road!  Grrrrrrrr

Apparently most of the local councils where their lanes are part of the system WILL be joining in with the scheme.  However it does not start till next month - was this why you got done perhaps?

Hopefully they will have signs which make it clear who is or is not joining in!

Does not affect me - no bus lanes to use on my way to work!

[peckhamrose]

And that's another issue Weaver - all these signs. There's us trying to keep our eyes on the road and - even going at 30 or less - watching out for the lorry and its blind spots, watching out for the lorries from Europe that can't see where everyone else can - and meanwhile we're having to look out for all the bus lane signs each and every time a new stretch of bus lane ends and begins.  Grrrrr again.

[peckhamrose]

Quote (Weaver @ Dec. 31 2008,12:54)

Apparently most of the local councils where their lanes are part of the system WILL be joining in with the scheme.

Where did you read about this?
Southwark Council are resolutely against the idea so they will continue to be as unhelpful and obstructive as ever.

[peckhamrose]

Welcome back all you bikers who used (legally) TfL roads today.
I work mostly from home but tonight am out and heading up Old Kent Road to Elephant and Castle.  On bus lanes. Deep joy.   Thanks Boris!

[Biker Biker]

I've been away from the news..... have the new rules been talked about much on TV?  Do we think that all road users know what to expect?  Don't coaches and Taxis also use the bus lanes?

[Westie]

Quote (peckhamrose @ Dec. 31 2008,20:05)

And that's another issue Weaver - all these signs. There's us trying to keep our eyes on the road and - even going at 30 or less - watching out for the lorry and its blind spots, watching out for the lorries from Europe that can't see where everyone else can - and meanwhile we're having to look out for all the bus lane signs each and every time a new stretch of bus lane ends and begins.  Grrrrr again.

Sorry but shouldn't we be looking at/for all of these things and much more anyway?        Surely looking to see what time a bus lane is open for use is harder than looking to see a picture of a motorcycle on a sign.
We should welcome this and the fact that we are being thought off in local government, but just be careful and not get complacent, we will still be in danger in the bus lanes and more in the public eye than before for a while anyway.

Take care everyone, MP3's and mobile are the devil's inventions as the people using them become walking/cycling zombies.    '>

[Terry]

I fear it could go some way to increase accidents. People turning from the opposite side of the road across the path of a car thats let him across that driver is looking for a bus or a taxi coming down the bus lane. Not something like a bike. Plus in London traffic a biker generally wont be seen over the roof of a car and the car driver is likely to think the lane is clear. I think the potential for accidents of this nature are very high.

When I have ridden in bus lanes I am allowed to be in I have had people turning across me through traffic because they are generally looking for a bus and not bikes. I have also had people in cars pull out of a traffic que and do a sneaky one up the bus lane but because they are doing it quickly they have a very quick look behind em, cant see something big and red and wallop.

I always feel very vunerable when riding in bus lanes and I tend to stick to the outside makes me feel safer.

No matter how they advertise it I reckon people will always think of bus lanes and think (busses) and not bikes '>

[eezyrida]

Interesting view, Terry. I guess the cars turning across bus lanes aren't expecting bicycles to be coming along? Surely they will be, and if they are, then they see any motorcycles that come along.

Surely you are far more in danger in the middle of the road than in bus lanes - the danger of being hit by a car that's turning right or, more to the point, pulling a U-turn, or even just swerving to avoid something like a bus, are astronomical. And there's the added danger of being pushed into the path of oncoming vehicles!

I fail to see how anyone can think riding in a bus lane is remotely as dangerous as riding in the middle of the road. How many car drivers use their mirrors when turning right, or check their blind spot? Not many. I know that from bitter experience of my own, and from seeing several fatal accidents.

[Terry]

Quote (eezyrida @ Jan. 08 2009,18:43)

Interesting view, Terry. I guess the cars turning across bus lanes aren't expecting bicycles to be coming along? Surely they will be, and if they are, then they see any motorcycles that come along. Surely you are far more in danger in the middle of the road than in bus lanes - the danger of being hit by a car that's turning right or, more to the point, pulling a U-turn, or even just swerving to avoid something like a bus, are astronomical. And there's the added danger of being pushed into the path of oncoming vehicles! I fail to see how anyone can think riding in a bus lane is remotely as dangerous as riding in the middle of the road. How many car drivers use their mirrors when turning right, or check their blind spot? Not many. I know that from bitter experience of my own, and from seeing several fatal accidents.

You have the same problem with being on the inside of cars not using their mirrors when turning left drivers that dont use their mirrors dont use them on both sides I find they are just generally unaware no matter which way they turn.

Just speaking from experience I have had more near misses when using bus lanes than filtering on the outside.

cyclists do also have the fear of not being seen equally for sure and are at the same risk personally I wouldnt cycle in a bus lane either or in London period lol.

I dunno it just feels unnatural to be in the inside and undertaking seems risky to me.

[Stu]

I was quite impressed when the letter turned up yesterday from tfl saying Dear mr Stu you may now drive in Bus lanes (most bus lanes??)

[peckhamrose]

I don't read every newspaper every day but - watching the BBC news on line and news on telly - have failed to see any news of any carnage caused by bikers being in bus lanes this week.  I know it has only been a week!  The cyclists (specially the likes of Jenny Jones the Green Party London Assembly Member) were really against this, With Jenny Jones's really well though out scientific argument in an email to me, being "bikers are scary for us", I hope the non-carnage continues.  

I do have a problem with all the signs. Of course it is great that seeing a bike in a sign means we can ride in the lane, one must not forget that we can all ride in alot of bus lanes when the time is right anyway. Many of those signs though take ages to read. For example, "Mon to Fri 7.00am to 10.00am 4.00pm to 7.00pm  Saturday 7.00am to 7.00pm" is a long notice to read at 30mph.  I read the first bit and - thinking I am in the time - ride in the bus lane.  Ohhhhhh this is frustrating!

[Grandma]

Used the bus lanes for the first time yesterday on the way up to the Ace through Peckham, Camberwell, Deptford, Victoria etc and it was fabulous, clearly marked even for a country bumpkin and it was the easiest ride up to the Ace ever  '>