If you have a view, let them know ! https://www.gov.uk/government/consu...UsQc8-Y5vAFHK-W6pzXoXGmhAW-E2H0PuAdXAboQNaW-o
It’s not the use of bus lanes that should be the issue, it’s the inconsistency in which bus lane use is implemented because the decision is devolved to local councils, with all the inconsistency that implies. I don’t care which, you either allow additional users in bus lanes nationwide or you don’t. Personally, I don’t use bus lanes because they are dangerous. No-one is looking for a motorcyclist in a bus lane which makes you virtually invisible and vulnerable to the SMIDSY brigade, be they car drivers, cyclists or pedestrians. For one BMW driver last week, even the bus in the bus lane was invisible, as he accelerated into a bus lane to get past a queue of traffic and got wiped out. Andy
I dont ride down the inside of anywhere unless its on the motorway and theres a load of bellends sat in the outside lane.
That's pretty much what I wrote in my replies. Probably a waste of my time, but at least the question is being asked.
It’s a nightmare in that London because the red route roads are run by TFL and in a rare moment of equanimity and sanity, Sadiq Khan allows motorbikes to use them, but other roads which are run by borough councils, who make up their own rules. So, you spend some of your hazard processing power looking out for signs when you should be looking out for Audi, BMW and white van divers who think it’s their own personal VIP priority lane. That clip of the beemer getting absolutely mullered by the bus was immensely satisfying!
My copy pasted response to their questions: Car: A typical car's footprint will range from roughly 3 to 7 meter squared. This varies depending on the car's size (compact, sedan, SUV, etc.). Here's a breakdown: Compact car: 3-4 meter squared Sedan: 4-5 meter squared SUV: 5-7 meter squared Motorcycle: A motorcycle's footprint is significantly smaller than a car, typically ranging from 1.5 to 3 meter squared. The above is a generalised statement but it paints a clear picture. A standard SUV which is the real problem, has around 165% increased footprint over a motorcycle. Why the question even remains to lump motorcycles into the same lanes as their 4 wheeled counter parts when alternatives such as empty bus lanes (more on this in a second) is archaic and old thinking. Frankly, this should have been resolved 55 years ago along with the introduction of bus lanes. Why the remark of empty bus lanes... Well if the bus lane is full, the motorcyclist can safely merge into normal traffic lanes. However, when there are no active buses on route using a lane, not only can a motorcycle use this lane, but you can safely position 4-6 motorcycles in the same foot print of a bus. Reducing congestion and accident rates with standard road traffic for motorcyclists. Common sense, the UK governments greatest weakness. Stop discussing menial issues and execute your function as a government.
Paris and Lyon now charge silly fees to park the big SUVs in their cities, making them a very bad choice for city users. A very good thing to my mind.
I don't think bus lanes are more or less dangerous than other methods of filtering through traffic. I've seen some biff down a bus lane at the road's speed limit as though they have a right to the space and others should realise that. But that is always dangerous way of riding similar to filtering on the outside & thinking that no one is going to do an unannounced right or u turn or open their door! I use bus lanes when driving into work and exercise possibly more caution & awareness as I would when driving in any traffic. You can see where cars may want to turn left into side roads and need to be uber aware of cars body language. Agree that consistency is the key though.
Even worse for those who live up here is the complete lack of consistency between councils & TfL in the application of 20mph zones & limits. The latest piece of absolute madness is the 20mph limit on Malden Road, Worcester Park between the station & the A3. 20mph limits have a place as a safety measure, but they are currently becoming a political weapon that will, imho, actually make the levels of compliance and consequently safety worse than if they hadn't been used. Apologies for the slightly off-topic rant.
I don’t know that road but there’s a 20mph stretch that goes along one side of Kew Gardens which goes on for ages and because it’s so long, straight and wide, it’s very tricky to stay within the speed limit.
