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London, and other, bikers

Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:23 pm
by Kenif
Just been checking out the 'motorcyles in bus lanes' maps ready for Monday. As we happen to live in a Borough that has said it doesn't want to participate in the trial (one of three Boroughs), I thought a little query to them would help...

'With the advent of the third 'motorcycles in bus lanes' trial
on Red Routes, please let me know if the London Borough of Lewisham is also
planning to allow motorcycle access in the Borough controlled bus lanes?
As the original, limited, trials have shown a significant reduction in the
number of collisions between motorcyclists, pedestrians, cyclists and cars,
I can only think that Lewisham would wish to increase the safety of it's
residents?

I look forward to your reply.'


It was a bit of a pain 'cos you had to register your name, address, knob size etc before being allowed to contact them by email but I'm looking forward to the weasel words to come!

Also sent the following version to Greenwich Council (just in case they thought they were being ignored...

With the advent of the third motorcycles in bus lanes trial on Red Routes, please let me know if the London Borough of Greenwich is also planning to allow motorcycle access in the Borough controlled bus lanes?
This is with special consideration to the short bus lane on Tunnel Avenue. The number of accidents involving lane-shifting cars colliding with (legitimately) filtering motorcycles on the Southern Approach could be cut considerably and improve traffic-flow immensely!

I look forward to your reply.


For any of you who live in the area, or use these Boroughs bus lanes, please feel free to contact them! For anyone who lives in a town that is waiting on London's lead before making it's decision, watch this space...

:smt004

Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:35 pm
by D-Rider
Yep .... I'm waiting on London before mobilising the local forum to get them, their friends and relatives to start the push on Coventry.

From what I've seen in Bath and Reading, bikes in bus lanes is a jolly good thing.

Be interesting to see the replies you get.

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:14 pm
by snapdragon
D-Rider wrote:Yep .... I'm waiting on London before mobilising the local forum to get them, their friends and relatives to start the push on Coventry.

From what I've seen in Bath and Reading, bikes in bus lanes is a jolly good thing.

Be interesting to see the replies you get.
I wish you well with that D-R , I always gets in trouble finding my way to my little bro's in Coventry and the maniac traffic is not much help :smt009

a chance to bus-lane and take 'the road less travelled' would be a boon :smt003

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:05 am
by D-Rider
snapdragon wrote:
D-Rider wrote:Yep .... I'm waiting on London before mobilising the local forum to get them, their friends and relatives to start the push on Coventry.

From what I've seen in Bath and Reading, bikes in bus lanes is a jolly good thing.

Be interesting to see the replies you get.
I wish you well with that D-R , I always gets in trouble finding my way to my little bro's in Coventry and the maniac traffic is not much help :smt009

a chance to bus-lane and take 'the road less travelled' would be a boon :smt003
Gosh - never realised that we'd been graced with your presence Snappy ... hopefully we'll make trips around the city a little better if this ever goes through - then you can leave your Dragon's den with confidence.
:smt002

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:52 am
by snapdragon
D-Rider wrote:.........- never realised that we'd been graced with your presence Snappy .............
:smt005
OOoh I've graced quite a few places with the dragonaise - but mostly I'm riding in stealth mode so they don't know

I'll send flames next time I'm around :smt002 (or smoke rings)

Replies

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:36 pm
by Kenif
Ok, both replies in (surprisingly quickly)

Lewisham is my favourite 'cos Greenwich had a wee bit of sense in the reply....

Lewisham
Thank you for your email expressing your support for allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes.

Lewisham Council has taken a position on this issue at the Council meeting on the 30th June where a motion was passed which is outlined below:

"The council welcomes the dramatic growth in cycling in London over the last few years and is firmly committed to supporting and encouraging cycling within the borough. However, this council notes with concern that the Mayor of London is considering plans to allow motorcyclists in bus lanes, a move that the London Cycling Campaign and Lewisham Cyclists have opposed on the grounds that it could endanger the lives of cyclists and pedestrians and undermine the objectives of encouraging more cycling trips. This council shares those concerns and does not support the use of bus lanes by motorcyclists."

At this stage no decisions have been made on whether to allow motorcycles in bus lanes on borough roads, and the council will be interested in the overall position taken by both London Councils and Transport for London.

I hope this is helpful.


and Greenwich

Greenwich Council has no plans at present to undertake trials of
motorcycles in bus lanes on borough roads, but this matter will be kept
under review in line with guidasnce from London councils and Transport
for London.
The Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach is managed by Transport for
London, and I will your your email for their consideration.


So, no change there then :smt009

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:57 pm
by Gio
Motorbikes are allowed in bus lanes in Putney/Fulham/Kingston, which is my normal route into London

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:08 pm
by Samray
What's a bus? :smt017


:smt083

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:09 pm
by Kwackerz
Those things that try and knock you off Sam. :smt002

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:14 pm
by snapdragon
Samray wrote:What's a bus? :smt017


:smt083
big truck things for transportin' folks around in them there big city places Sam - but don't you worry none, they won't start havin them out yonder where you are - there ain't enough people :smt002

also it's what I'll be goin to a nappointment on tomorrow - if it's still icy :smt009

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:47 pm
by D-Rider
Sam .... back in your day they called them a Charabang ....

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:51 pm
by Kwackerz
I thought they called em Horse and Chariot in his day....?

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:19 pm
by D-Rider
Do you think our Sam is a bit like Edmund Blackadder and there has been an incarnation of the Samray in every generation .... although always lagging behind the generation in which he is incarnated?




.... just a thought ....

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:34 pm
by Kwackerz
Now funny you mention that. I was just looking at the Family Tree earlier.

Yes, I think The answer is. :smt002

Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:04 am
by Samray