Legal to use bus lanes?

[ZER0]

Hi guys and girls.

As title really...

Busses, taxis and cycles can use bus lanes. What about motorbikes?

[squirrel_hunter]

Only if it says so on the sign. Its down to local authorities if they allow bikes to use them and which lanes they can use.

[andrewsmith]

Only if it says so on the sign. Its down to local authorities if they allow bikes to use them and which lanes they can use.

This

It's up to the councils. One of the 5 Tyne and Wear boroughs the rest its an offense with a lot being camera'ed.

MAG are petitioning a lot of councils to allow motorcycles into bus lanes, as lot are currently doing traffic regulation reviews

written with a brio

[jambo]

London specifically is a bit of a mess. All TFL run bus lanes are OK. Then as above it's council by council with one Lane on my commute changing as you go across a junction as it moves across a boundary. I've had fines when not paying attention.

Jambo

Sent without a real keyboard

[Littlepeahead]

For that reason I rarely use the ones in London as I'm not there frequently enough to keep checking which I can vs can't use which is not what you need to be worrying about at busy junctions.

[CharleyFarley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/21/sududude.jpg
I'm a 'sometimes bus driver-sometimes coach driver/ HGV-Tankers/car driving motorcyclist.............
The above sign is prevalent in/around York....I can be driving a service bus in the morning (use the lane), coach/mini coach p.m., (cant use lane) frequently find I use it when I cant......not using it when I can!!!
Used to put a board up in rear window...... "WARNING......This vehicle frequently cuts you up"......
OR......why not buy a Renault & use the lane 'legally'?? 😀
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/21/repusapa.jpg


"Gas it w###a".........

[nikon70]

Yes and No

Depends on the council.

You can only ride in a bus lane if you see this sign

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/22/hyra4a3a.jpg

[SvNewbie]

I hate bus lane signs. Admittedly the motorbikes allowed symbol is easy to spot. But if you don't see that your then onto the day, wait, is it Saturday or Sunday today? By that time you are passed the sign and have to wait for the next one. At which point you try read the times 7am - 10am, 3pm - 6pm, at which point you look down at the clock. By the time you've done that you've forgotten the times. At the next one you realise it is bloody Sunday and there aren't any restrictions anyway.

[nikon70]

If in doubt don't use one! Simples.

[Biker Biggles]

One of my pet hates.We live in the UK and all our roads are subject to the Highway Code.The exact same rules should apply everywhere in the UK.

[EssexDave]

The interesting thing in London is that actually some of the bus lanes you can use, even if the sign doesn't stipulate motorbikes. For example, in Islington they recently implemented a trial that allowed you to use some of their bus lanes, whether signed or not.

I frequently travel through Islington for work, unfortunately, if you actually read the guidance it's more complicated than it even seems from first look:-

Motorcycles In Islington bus lanes

Transport for London are currently conducting a trial to let motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and tricycles - but not those with sidecars - travel in most red route bus lanes in London.

This means that the above vehicles will be allowed to travel along all Red Route bus lanes in Islington without receiving a penalty charge.

However, non-Red Route bus lanes are not included in the trial and therefore the rules in Islington bus lanes that are not on Red Routes will remain unchanged. Non-Red Route bus lanes can be found in streets such as Essex Road, Caledonian Road, Old Street, Junction Road, St Paul's Road and Balls Pond Road.

To avoid getting a ticket please check the signs first to see if it’s okay to use any bus lane before entering it.

Taken from: http://www.islington.gov.uk/services/parking-roads/parking/where_to_park/Pages/motorcycle_parking.aspx

[ZER0]

Thanks peeps.

I think it may be easier and safer to just avoid them then!

I agree, I think all councils should keep the same regulations to save the confusion. Especially when one bus lane changes from one road to the next. Add on top of that the time and date restrictions as svnewbie says. Could be confusing and distracting.

Motorbikes should definitely be able to use them though. Bikes don't take up much room, and could get out of the lane quickly if needed, without really affecting other road users.

[timwilky]

no such thing as a bus lane round here. Seems a strange thing to do in the first place. reduce the road capacity and slow everyone up, just so empty buses (Who actually uses a bus, or should that be can afford to use a bus) can have a lane to themselves.

[andrewsmith]

no such thing as a bus lane round here. Seems a strange thing to do in the first place. reduce the road capacity and slow everyone up, just so empty buses (Who actually uses a bus, or should that be can afford to use a bus) can have a lane to themselves.

Out my way commoner!! ;-)

They work here in the city centre as there's about 200 an hour passing my office

written with a brio

[stuR]

As above, depends on the lane and location.

Here in reading, all the bus lanes are biker freindly.

[SvNewbie]

Thanks peeps.

I think it may be easier and safer to just avoid them then!


Worth knowing where the ones on your regular routes are that you can use. Some of them are real time savers.

You mentioned safety, but the point bares repeating, people are expecting a bloody great big bus or nothing in the bus lane. Take your time and try to keep your escape routes open.