Calling all Motorcyclists.....

[fractionater]

Please complete the form and spread the word for motorbikes in bus lanes (asuming you are in favour of course!)?????????

http://www.mcia.co.uk/Public/CMSPage.aspx?USR_ID=0&USR_GUID=&OBJ_ID=1441821

[Tony.London Suburbs]

I'm in favour of everyone using the "Bus Lane" so I'll sign, even though I'm not keen on Bikes, tbh.

One collided with me on Blackheath Hill when I knocked him over as I was with mi julie who I was taking back to mi yard.

It costs me 5/6 mins to convince him to put it down to experience and mi fly girl julie was flexing, giving me screwface..

[Tony.London Suburbs]

..her name really was Julie..lovely Girl.sigh...

[louisiana]

I absolutely object. Really strongly.

I'm writing to my MP, and would encourage other cyclists to do the same. You can use Write To Them

And consider joining London Cycling Campaign, to help make London safer for cyclists.

Cyclists have enough to contend with in bus lanes, without motorcyclists weaving in and out at speed and also accelerating hard, as they generally tend to do. It's not that they behave any worse than car and lorry drivers - but car and lorry drivers are not permitted in the lane and I don't think high performance machines should be allowed in a lane which is in effect slower than other traffic.

[Mark]

I think motorbikes in bus lanes are a great idea and I would like to think that it brings two wheeled users closer together (but not to a point of impact). The nobs who ride both motorbikes and cycles will be nobs whatever the regulations, driving a wedge between the the responsible two wheeled users does no good in my opinion.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

I think motorbikes in bus lanes are a great idea as well, be nice if they opened them all up rather than having to check if you are aloowed in them. I always try to give cycles a wide birth and to wave thanks when they move to the side.

[louisiana]

Oh and of course, do use the TfL survey to feed back your 'cyclist' views.

The page linked to by fractionater suggests that this survey is seeking the views of motorcyclists only. In fact, it is seeking the views of all road users, including cyclists.

[Sandperson]

I tend to find it's not the motorcyclists who cause problems for me as a cyclists is those fair weather scooterists. Them and the boy racer scooterists are a nightmare.

[mattham]

I'm with you Louisiana. Sorry to all you safe motorcyclists, but the amount of irresponsible riding I see out there, they're the last people I want to share a bus lane with. It's bad enough when they take the cyclists' box at the lights.

[AllforNun]

I think all bike riders should be vetted fo rmetal illness, how on earth can you worry about motorbikes in a bus lane ? surely you shuodl be worrying about buses ? oh and muggers

[mattham]

I'm not so keen on buses either AFN but it's called a bus lane for a reason. And even at my most wildly self-centred I don't think I could get rid of them.

[AllforNun]

no exactly so why on earth don't we banish bikes instead and let the Motorbikes and Buses share it instead. After all motorcycle deaths are going through the roof, so glad that the eco bikers can see this and will selflessly share the lanes.

[PeckhamRose]

mattham you say it is bad when us motorcyclists take the cyclists box at the lights. Well, here is another example of how the different London boroughs really should come together and have one rule for all boroughs. Because in Newham motorcyclists are allowed to share the front of the traffic lights box with the cyclists.

Motorcycle deaths are going through the roof AFN? What is your source?

There has simply not been the carnage all the cyclists feared would happen, since us bikers were allowed in the TfL bus lanes. There was never going to be. It is not as if we were never allowed in them anyway before January 2009, because many bus lanes are only operable as bus lanes on the times they say on all those bloody signs we have to keep looking up to read, thus taking our eyes off the road. Bus lanes are often not 24/7 or 7am to 7pm, and so many bikers have shared the bus lanes with the cyclists since they started. And yes I too often smile and make way for friendly cyclists. Why do we have to see one another as enemies? That's politicians' jobs. We just want to get from A to B.

[PeckhamRose]

mattham you say it is bad when us motorcyclists take the cyclists box at the lights. Well, here is another example of how the different London boroughs really should come together and have one rule for all boroughs. Because in Newham motorcyclists are allowed to share the front of the traffic lights box with the cyclists.

Motorcycle deaths are going through the roof AFN? What is your source?

There has simply not been the carnage all the cyclists feared would happen, since us bikers were allowed in the TfL bus lanes. There was never going to be. It is not as if we were never allowed in them anyway before January 2009, because many bus lanes are only operable as bus lanes on the times they say on all those bloody signs we have to keep looking up to read, thus taking our eyes off the road. Bus lanes are often not 24/7 or 7am to 7pm, and so many bikers have shared the bus lanes with the cyclists since they started. And yes I too often smile and make way for friendly cyclists. Why do we have to see one another as enemies? That's politicians' jobs. We just want to get from A to B.

[mattham]

I think you're right PR ? if there was one rule for all it would make things easier. It probably does make sense to let motorcycles into bus lanes; cutting out weaving and potential road rage etc....But I do think the cyclist's box is an important safety feature for those without engines. I'm not anti-motorcycle at all ? just anti irresponsible speed. Everyone is guilty of that I suppose but the temptation must be greater on a motorcycle. Judging by the speed of some you see!

[PeckhamRose]

The cyclists box is not always a safe place to be for cyclists since many cars want to push them out the way and hassle them. The point is that they are there, and bikers tend to share them too, although only in Newham do they do this with a welcome sign encouraging them to be there.

And yes, some motorcyclists ride fast. As do some cars. And some cyclists. And people run across the road fast without looking. It's not just a problem for one element of road user.

Done any first aid recently? Doing a course at Brands Hatch in May. Then we can be of use to deal with the aftermath of idiots.

[mattham]

yup; I'm a qualified first aider. Good luck with your course ??it's a great thing to do.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Have to disagree. I was a first aider and I had to deal with a heart attack and a brain haemorrhage and a choking. I do think everyone should know how to administer CPR but beyond that the responsibility can be a bit overwhelming.

[PeckhamRose]

PGC are you disagreeing that First Aid is a good thing to do?

I trained as a FirstAider and also specialised in first aid for motorcyclists and am doing brushing up courses.

You take on the responsibility you choose to. What are you disagreeing about?

Or are you saying that one can not prepare for the aftershock and emotion of having to be in charge and should thus be prepared for what might happen? Or what.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

No, I think it's a good thing to know and I think everyone should know very basic first aid. Just don't assume that because you've done the course you'll click into automatic response mode.

I think what I am saying is that when you are an assigned first aider it is a huge responsibility - we are talking people's lives here. I don't think anything prepares you to deal with the big stuff - it's not like we're trained doctors and nurses and the possibility of cock ups is enormous. A three/five/seven day course is not sufficient to prepare one for the shock/emotion that inevitably follows. I would never volunteer to be a first aider again but in an emergency, of courses I would step in.

[ducaticatty]

Just filled it in, thanks for posting the link! My journeys are a lot safer now that motorbikes are allowed in most bus lanes although I have noticed in North London quite a few cyclists choosing to cycle in the MIDDLE of bus lanes... I can only hope they move over when they hear a bus coming... but they certainly don't move over when they hear a motorbike coming. That is only a small majority of cyclists by the way. Generally I am grateful for TFL for allowing motorbikes into bus lanes, so I am very considerate of sharing the space of buses and cyclists. Like Peckahmrose says, i just want to get from A to B. Hassle free and home in time for tea.

Compared to pre-January, motorcyclists had to straddle the middle of the road when overtaking - I had so many pedestrians walking out inbetween cars crossing the road and looking the other way (one ran out sending me flying in to the path of an oncoming car - very close - i wasn't going fast either) and far too many cars doing U-turns or turning right without indicating or checking their mirrors. But I have reached that stage now where you have to assume everyone is going to do the worse and that way you're generally safe.

And first aid should be a compulsory life skill that everyone should do... I just did a short course and it was quite shocking to hear the statistics of deaths that could have been avoided if simple procedures had been applied at the scene. Haven't had to use it yet, but the first time I do I'm sure I will panic... but what's the worse that could happen? Death - and that's what you're trying to avoid.

[PeckhamRose]

Fair points PGC. I have indeed been at the scene of two accidents (not of my own making) where something inside me just calmly took over and I took over the scene and organised people and just 'led' and did the stuff. Afterwards I was a bit shaky but also proud at what I had achieved. So I take the point.