Cyclists in uproar over motorbikes in bus lanes

Pedal-power people peeved over bikes in bus lane decision

Posted: 11 November 2008
by Visordown News

LONDON CYCLING Campaign have asked cyclists and pedestrians to write to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, over the decision to allow motorcycles into London bus lanes.

Members of the London Cycling Campaign want answers why the Mayor did not carry out a full consultation or a proper study on the impact of motorbikes in bus lanes on all road users, prior to his decision. The Campaign have asked all pedestrians and cyclists to complain to the Mayor in writing.

“This decision is against the advice of London transport officials and without the input of cycling and pedestrian groups," said Koy Thomson, the lobby group’s chief executive. "There’s been no attempt to assess the impact of this measure for all street users.”


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"There's been no attempt to assess the impact of this measure for all street users.”

 isnt this a trial. to assess the impact for all street users?


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 17:47

Do they pay road tax insurance and excesive parking fees?

no

fcuk em


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 17:53

snncrv wrote (see)

Do they pay road tax insurance and excesive parking fees?

no

fcuk em


Well said pay tax then whine till then NAF OFF

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 17:54

Just another example of the moaning minnies whingeing because they weren't paying attention when the subject was raised. This has been discussed loads over the last few months, I also was under the impression that this was an 18 month trial to observe the effects, and ultimately make an informed decision as to its future application.

When cyclists pay road tax the can have a say, and the argument that many cyclists do pay road tax as they have cars (and or motorcycles ?) dosen't fly cos the road tax you pay is for that vehicle, and that vehicle alone to be on the road.


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 18:43


All I'll say is I predict this thread will get messy...


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 19:03

no it wont, it will descend into a VD special, with sarcasm, wit and above all ...love

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 19:16

A-I-S wrote (see)
no it wont, it will descend into a VD special, with sarcasm, wit and above all ...love

i cant see that happening a-i-s, i think the average VDer is far to mature to lower the tone of a serious thread.

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 19:22

But on my tax disc, my motorbike is definitely classed as a bicycle.

So I could use cycle lanes anyway?

Cyclists should start paying attention to things like red lights, anyway, before they start complaining about others.  90% of 'em in London don't even see them.

They've had motorbike/cycle/bus lane along the A23 for months.  No problems.  It's not like cycles stick to the cycle lanes anyway, so they should just shut up.  Just mho, as always.


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 19:25

Cyclist should fuck off and pay tax, insurance and have to have a number plate and register there bike, untill then fuck off cyclist pricks.

I'm going to use the bus lanes as much as possible, assholes.


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 19:39

Most cyclists do pay tax and insurance... Not many of them don't have a car or a motorbike.  I don't want to pay tax or insurance on my push-bike, what a daft idea.  Cyclists can use the road just like me, no problem. 

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 19:43


wavydave wrote (see)
A-I-S wrote (see)
no it wont, it will descend into a VD special, with sarcasm, wit and above all ...love

i cant see that happening a-i-s, i think the average VDer is far to mature to lower the tone of a serious thread.


Yep, I think you're right having just read 509speedy... feel the love       LOL  


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 19:57


purplepom wrote (see)
Most cyclists do pay tax and insurance... Not many of them don't have a car or a motorbike.  I don't want to pay tax or insurance on my push-bike, what a daft idea.  Cyclists can use the road just like me, no problem. 


Why is having insurance on a push-bike daft - is it not possible to injure some one or something when riding a pushbike??  How many car or bike poilicies cover push-bikes as well - I know mine doesn't.

.


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 20:06


Can't see what all the fuss is about. As I've said on other threads, I've been using bus lanes, cycle paths, paths, subways and parks for years.

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 20:15

emf#53 wrote (see)

purplepom wrote (see)
Most cyclists do pay tax and insurance... Not many of them don't have a car or a motorbike.  I don't want to pay tax or insurance on my push-bike, what a daft idea.  Cyclists can use the road just like me, no problem. 


Why is having insurance on a push-bike daft - is it not possible to injure some one or something when riding a pushbike??  How many car or bike poilicies cover push-bikes as well - I know mine doesn't.

.

Yes, just like it is possible to injure someone while out running or walking.  Should we insure against that possibility too?  Incidentally, if you do injure someone due to negligence while on a bike or on foot, you'll still be liable, you just don't have an insurance company to bail you out...

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 20:30

I think that the "cycle brigade" are no different to the BMW driving twats who think that they rule the road and nobody has the right to object against them as they are using "green" transport. Unfortunatly they are the people who cause more than enough incidents due to jumping lights, jumping from cycle lanes and causing buses,trucks and cars to swerve squashing us into railings and other non bendy objects. To this extent they should be treated the same as BMW drivers and be shot to save the human race from mutating into cocks

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 20:33


purplepom wrote (see)
emf#53 wrote (see)

purplepom wrote (see)
Most cyclists do pay tax and insurance... Not many of them don't have a car or a motorbike.  I don't want to pay tax or insurance on my push-bike, what a daft idea.  Cyclists can use the road just like me, no problem. 


Why is having insurance on a push-bike daft - is it not possible to injure some one or something when riding a pushbike??  How many car or bike poilicies cover push-bikes as well - I know mine doesn't.

.

Yes, just like it is possible to injure someone while out running or walking.  Should we insure against that possibility too?  Incidentally, if you do injure someone due to negligence while on a bike or on foot, you'll still be liable, you just don't have an insurance company to bail you out...

And just how many people do you hear of being injured by someone walking into them on the pavement - not many. 

How many times do you hear of cyclists injuring people - quite a few.

.


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 20:52

thats a good point about it says on your tax disc,the taxation class is a bicycle,so why is there a problem???

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 21:04

T509Speedy wrote (see)

Cyclist should fuck off and pay tax, insurance and have to have a number plate and register there bike, untill then fuck off cyclist pricks.

I'm going to use the bus lanes as much as possible, assholes.


By God sir, i applaude your nearly perfectly reasoned argument. Just wish i had bus lanes here i could legaly use if only to annoy the living shite out of the London Cycling Campaign. And while im at it what the fuck are they on about "pedestrian groups," should they not be either on the bus or on the pavement? I think i might call for a "full consultation or a proper study on the impact of bicyles in bus lanes on all road users".

Whining halfwits. I also hate bloody lentils too.


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 21:13

purplepom wrote (see)
Yes, just like it is possible to injure someone while out running or walking.  Should we insure against that possibility too?  Incidentally, if you do injure someone due to negligence while on a bike or on foot, you'll still be liable, you just don't have an insurance company to bail you out...

You'd be amazed the benefits that your home insurance has, especially the legal expenses to cover your costs, as well as the public liabilty of up to £5million

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 21:22


Well - I is glad I am back - He He - Carry On

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 21:28

It's important to recognise the extremes.

Some cyclists are idiots.

Some bikers are idiots

All buses are twats.

I can see this trial not going very well given the stupid annimation from some of the posts here. I would want to use the lanes, but if it goes tits up, they will withdraw the ability.


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 21:35


COYI wrote (see)

All I'll say is I predict this thread will get messy...



Posted: 11/11/2008 at 21:44

twelvelegs wrote (see)
T509Speedy wrote (see)

Cyclist should fuck off and pay tax, insurance and have to have a number plate and register there bike, untill then fuck off cyclist pricks.

I'm going to use the bus lanes as much as possible, assholes.


By God sir, i applaude your nearly perfectly reasoned argument. Just wish i had bus lanes here i could legaly use if only to annoy the living shite out of the London Cycling Campaign. And while im at it what the fuck are they on about "pedestrian groups," should they not be either on the bus or on the pavement? I think i might call for a "full consultation or a proper study on the impact of bicyles in bus lanes on all road users".

Whining halfwits. I also hate bloody lentils too.


What makes me laugh is they think motorcycles are dangerous, what next are they going to try and ban buses from bus lanes? qouting them as 10 tons of death on wheels.

Posted: 11/11/2008 at 22:50

Eventually everything will be banned from the roads except buses. That way there can't be any accidents involving cars, trucks, bikes, cyclists, tractors, caravans, or anything. Only buses.

Due to the number of buses required to move the entire population around the roads will still be gridlocked, but the buses won't be able to get the jump on the rest of the traffic because ALL of the lanes will be bus lanes. This will obviously lead to the requirement for more roads, and 'priority bus' lanes. An extra charge will be levied for using buses allowed into these lanes which will create a 2 tier system of bus travel.

The decent buses will then be called coaches and will be state of the art luxury vehicles. The rest of the fleet will be whatever they can dredge up from twenty years ago.

Emergency vehicles - such as ambulances, police cars, and fire engines - will be integrated into the bus system so that if a shout goes up then the closest bus to the incident responds and deploys the specialist equipment stored in the overhead lockers. Of course, as fighting crime or fires is considered dangerous then the general public might as well risk their lives doing it rather than a highly paid member of some unnecessary public body. In the case of medical assistance being needed all bus drivers will have completed a statutory first aid course and will be licenced to administer the required treatment. The patient can then be transported in the bus to the nearest public hospital - which may be as little as 200 miles away - for further treatment, or, more usually, an autopsy.

In times of national emergency the armed forces will take control of the public transport system and all passengers will have to walk until further notice. This situation may arise more often than not due to the new government legislation being drafted for just such an eventuality. In this case all buses (though not the coaches as they will be required by the rich and they can't be inconvenienced!!!) will be fitted with weapons systems. These will almost certainly be used against the mebers of general public who see fit to 'protest' at the state of affairs.

Utopia I call it.


Posted: 11/11/2008 at 23:11

Meh I ride a pushbike at the minute (not for much longer!) and I have NO problem with PTW, its the fucking car drivers literally pushing me off the road I take issue with.

Just yesterday I had a car driver literally FORCE his way by me on a one way single track road in town, with cars parked along one side. Lucky to be alive! If it was a bike there would have been room, though god knows why he overtook me as I was doing 21mph!

(ok the local chav scooter brigade may havegave me a kick but they dont count, and I would have kicked back!)

Posted: 12/11/2008 at 02:18

Actually originally this was only meant to be where bikes and cyclists would NOT come into conflict - i.e. the heathrow, A40, north circ, bus lanes, on the proviso that the bikes did not sit in the lanes and block buses. 

I find cycling to be by far the most dangerous habit out there, it's a rush you just can't get on a motorbike in the city...

We need to learn to have multifunctional areas instead of segregating everything and taking more and more space, cyclists on pavements, motorbikes in bus lanes etc.  Unfortunately you can't licence common sense.  This will probably get axed as soon as the first cyclist is seriously injured by a motorbike, even if it was the cyclist in the wrong.

Unfortunately alot of people are scared of bikes, they are big and noisy!

And FYI, Cyclists do NO damage to the environment, create NO pollution, cause NO congestion, cause NO fatal injuries to others and exercise our bodies which costs everyone less in NHS bills long term.   And us not being in a car means less traffic - ie you get where you want to go faster.

So pull your head out of your arse about cyclists, try it - tis fun, well people trying to kill you multiple times on the way to work wakes you up at least


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 06:30

1/

Peter Messen pedalled down a hill at around 25 mph before hitting Gary Green as he loaded his car in preparation for a holiday with his girlfriend. Messen mounted the kerb on his Apollo mountain bike just as Green stepped onto the pavement, knocking him unconscious to the floor. Green died four days later on April 3 last year after suffering serious head injuries.

Messen was given a 12-month suspended jail sentence and 300 hours of community service. He had pleaded guilty to the offence of “causing bodily harm by wanton or furious cycling under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, which carried a maximum jail sentence of two years.

 2/

slartybartfast wrote (see)
.....

And FYI, Cyclists do NO damage to the environment, create NO pollution, cause NO congestion, cause NO fatal injuries to others and exercise our bodies which costs everyone less in NHS bills long term.  ...

So pull your head out of your arse about cyclists,....


Cycle accidents do kill people (about 8 a year in the UK).

I have no issue with cyclists, they have as much right as me on the roads.

London is a shit hole anyway, who cares?


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 08:59


SWC
Its the taxis in bus lanes who are the hazard. They leap back and forth depending on which lane moves faster, they hold up the buses, and most of the time they are only using the lane to commute in anyway. So, Boris your next job - get the cabs out!


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 09:23

pizza delivery riders and scooters....these are what cyclists should be concerned about as they're all mad

Posted: 12/11/2008 at 09:29

falcorob wrote (see)

Eventually everything will be banned from the roads except buses. That way there can't be any accidents involving cars, trucks, bikes, cyclists, tractors, caravans, or anything. Only buses.

Due to the number of buses required to move the entire population around the roads will still be gridlocked, but the buses won't be able to get the jump on the rest of the traffic because ALL of the lanes will be bus lanes. This will obviously lead to the requirement for more roads, and 'priority bus' lanes. An extra charge will be levied for using buses allowed into these lanes which will create a 2 tier system of bus travel.

The decent buses will then be called coaches and will be state of the art luxury vehicles. The rest of the fleet will be whatever they can dredge up from twenty years ago.

Emergency vehicles - such as ambulances, police cars, and fire engines - will be integrated into the bus system so that if a shout goes up then the closest bus to the incident responds and deploys the specialist equipment stored in the overhead lockers. Of course, as fighting crime or fires is considered dangerous then the general public might as well risk their lives doing it rather than a highly paid member of some unnecessary public body. In the case of medical assistance being needed all bus drivers will have completed a statutory first aid course and will be licenced to administer the required treatment. The patient can then be transported in the bus to the nearest public hospital - which may be as little as 200 miles away - for further treatment, or, more usually, an autopsy.

In times of national emergency the armed forces will take control of the public transport system and all passengers will have to walk until further notice. This situation may arise more often than not due to the new government legislation being drafted for just such an eventuality. In this case all buses (though not the coaches as they will be required by the rich and they can't be inconvenienced!!!) will be fitted with weapons systems. These will almost certainly be used against the mebers of general public who see fit to 'protest' at the state of affairs.

Utopia I call it.


An exert from the Monster Raving Loony Partys, transport policy.


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 09:32

I pay for liability insurance for my 3 bicycles and have been doing so, every year, for over 25 years now.  I also pay road tax for two cars and one motorbike and insurance for them too.  For me, motorcycles in bus lanes is fair enough provided all the users in there - whether engine powered or pedalling - realise that the lanes are getting busier and show each other the required amount of respect and courtesy.

If people wish to publicly display their complete lack of education and manners by being abusive to people they do not know then that is their right to do I guess.  Personally speaking, I'm far more inclined to listen to reasoned debate than a stream of expletives and abusive terms.  Just the way I was personally brought up I guess.


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 10:03

I say just ban buses.

Posted: 12/11/2008 at 10:29

Deamhain wrote (see)

I pay for liability insurance for my 3 bicycles and have been doing so, every year, for over 25 years now.  I also pay road tax for two cars and one motorbike and insurance for them too.  For me, motorcycles in bus lanes is fair enough provided all the users in there - whether engine powered or pedalling - realise that the lanes are getting busier and show each other the required amount of respect and courtesy.

If people wish to publicly display their complete lack of education and manners by being abusive to people they do not know then that is their right to do I guess.  Personally speaking, I'm far more inclined to listen to reasoned debate than a stream of expletives and abusive terms.  Just the way I was personally brought up I guess.


Well said. Usual  responses above. Live and let live. I ride (powered and not) and drive. Pat VED (not paid road tax for years) on 2 cars and one motorbike.

Have 4 pushbikes and apart from the occasional smelly fart do not affect the environment when doing 5000 miles on them a year.

The health benefits of cycling far outweigh any dangers (though given some of the attitudes expressed above I hate to think what your behaviour is like in bus lanes!) and road tax, insurance etc is a nonsense and not policeable.


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 11:00


Deamhain wrote (see)

I pay for liability insurance for my 3 bicycles and have been doing so, every year, for over 25 years now.  I also pay road tax for two cars and one motorbike and insurance for them too.  For me, motorcycles in bus lanes is fair enough provided all the users in there - whether engine powered or pedalling - realise that the lanes are getting busier and show each other the required amount of respect and courtesy.

If people wish to publicly display their complete lack of education and manners by being abusive to people they do not know then that is their right to do I guess.  Personally speaking, I'm far more inclined to listen to reasoned debate than a stream of expletives and abusive terms.  Just the way I was personally brought up I guess.

Thing is though Deamhain you are showing blinkered, judgemental elitist thinking here.  If required most people can give well thought through arguments on topics but there is a time and a place and everyone is different.  Even posters typing in a manner you find offensive have a right to a point - most of them based upon poor experiences.  so rather than  judging fellow posters, why not consider 'why' people think cyclists whinging about this are are bunch of c*nts? 


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 11:14

Coming soon, Open Season!

http://www.transalt.org/files/newsroom/streetbeat/askta/images/030819/target.gif



Posted: 12/11/2008 at 11:22

Deamhain wrote (see)

[..] For me, motorcycles in bus lanes is fair enough provided all the users in there - whether engine powered or pedalling - realise that the lanes are getting busier and show each other the required amount of respect and courtesy.

If people wish to publicly display their complete lack of education and manners by being abusive to people they do not know then that is their right to do I guess. Personally speaking, I'm far more inclined to listen to reasoned debate than a stream of expletives and abusive terms. Just the way I was personally brought up I guess.


Couldn't agree more. I should hope that people here will not translate their hateful comments towards cyclists into action. Remember, Boris can reverse his decision as soon as one cyclist gets killed by a motorbike.

Cyclists have every right to be on the road as you and I. I use a bicycle and would be happy to pay road tax for it - if it would give me Dutch-style cyclepaths. Cyclists shouldn't have to be in bus lanes in the first place, they should be on their own, dedicated cyclepaths.


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 12:04

They (cyclists) can use bus lanes if we (bikes) can get to ignore traffic signals and signs as well - deal?

Posted: 12/11/2008 at 12:50

dayt0na_955i wrote (see)

Thing is though Deamhain you are showing blinkered, judgemental elitist thinking here.  If required most people can give well thought through arguments on topics but there is a time and a place and everyone is different.  Even posters typing in a manner you find offensive have a right to a point - most of them based upon poor experiences.  so rather than  judging fellow posters, why not consider 'why' people think cyclists whinging about this are are bunch of c*nts? 


Elitist? Nope, everyone is welcome to join me in whatever elite you think I'm part of.

Blinkered, as a cycling, car driving, motorcyclists what blinkers am I wearing?

Judgmental?  Yeah, go on then, I'll accept that one and even apologise  but a blanket, vitriolic attack on 'all cyclists' counts as an attack on me personally and I reserve the right of defense!

I know 'why' people think they way they do about the cyclists who are whinging and they're right to think that way.  I disagree with the whingers too and may, in personal consideration, also liken them to genetalia of either gender but read some of the posts above and there are a few that are nothing short of bile against bicyclists per se.  That's the attitude I have a problem with, the whole "some are moaning so I hate every one of them" brigade.

See the other thread about the lad on a motorbike with no insurance, no helmet, drunk etc?  He's an erse yes? The older thread about the lad involved in a race in which a car crashed into another car and he rode off into town popping wheelies? We're all exactly like them and deserve to be tarred with the same brush?

Anyway, shut up, it's your round.


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 13:05

Big Nige wrote (see)
They (cyclists) can use bus lanes if we (bikes) can get to ignore traffic signals and signs as well - deal?


No - I'm first in the queue to string up those on push bikes who ride on pavements, ignore the rules of the road, ride with no lights on etc etc.  Just don't point the finger at all of them/us.

I really need to stop biting!


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 13:08

WEb conversations are a place to rant and rave - consider it therapy and each to their own.  Not for one minute do I think the posters here would serioulsy harm cyclists due to a blanket dislike of them.  Thats the problem with the net - thigns are taken literally.

 Anyway, Im having a stella and a selection of nice baps available over the counter.  Same for you.? 


Posted: 12/11/2008 at 13:15

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