Any chance there are 3000 londoners on here ?

I see that the new Mayor of London has started to back out of the
motorcycles in bus lanes rule change:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7452178.stm

The pertinent line being 'He added: “Further consultation must happen
before motorcycles can legally use Transport for London's bus lanes."'

Apparently the cyclists have managed to collect around 3000 signatures
protesting the idea of letting motorcyles use bus lanes. As always,
I'm guessing they who yell the loudest will get their way.

 

Sum' bitch!

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique,
typed

It's just the pedalphiles whining again.

Judicious use of a shoulder deals with them.

 

My oh my —— a politician who reneged.

 

Saw something on BBC news at around 18:30 and that report seemed to be
a bit more reasonable. Or my impression was that motorcyclists had the
stronger argument. They mentioned a report on trial happening in
Piccadilly where allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes resulted in
60% less accidents on that stretch of road.

Anyway, heres hoping Boris doesn't renege.

 

I'm not mad keen on bus lanes myself but there are times it would be
nice - like down the M4 into London at times. Or through the Aldgate
section towards Liverpool street now that the road works have turned
that into stationary traffic even at 10:30 in the morning when I'm on
my way to work.

I'm just whinging about the principle of the thing. A few weeks ago we
see evening standard headlines about how the Mayor is such a great
bloke and look at what he's doing here. Then a vocal special interest
group speak up and *poof* - suddenly we need new and different
studies, and oddly enough the aforementioned special interest group
have a load of ideas about what would make the study valid. Or at
least, valid enough to support their views - it probably involves
cyclists swerving all over two lanes without ever looking behind or
next to them (not that this would be much different to the norm in
traffic)

It's just a little too typical of the world today - vocal special
interest groups, even when in the minority seem to be able to effect
far too much negative change on society. Man rapes and kills girl -
well, that's bad. But man rapes and kills girl and it turns out he
looked at odd porn and suddenly we're banning odd porn. Or
photographing scenes with children in them at Trafalgar Square. Or
videoing your kids school play. Or being allowed to fly AND keep your
dignity (and your virginity in some cases )

I'm just overreacting - it's been a long shite week and next week
looks the same. I'll go away now, honest.

 

Well, we've got motorcycles in bus lanes in Bristol and Bath and IME
they work very well.

 

Fewer, Shirley.

 

Especially if one actually notices that bikes are allowed there. Not
that I'm admitting anything here, mind.

 

I can see your point, even though I do like using the bus lane on the
stretch of the A13 where it's allowed. There are indeed some places
where it's quite easy to end up as roadkill due to a car driver not
looking and using the bus lane as a shortcut. Obviously by now I know
where they are and treat them accordingly but you still need to be aware
of them.

 

I can see that happening - particularly if the car driver is only
giving the bus lane a cursory glance in his mirror, sufficient to
notice a bloody great bus, before pulling into it.

 

I always forget about that bit of the A13 until I get to Canning Town
and think - Oh, I could have used the bus lane there!

 

The no strike deal is such a success too.

 

Well we've not been on strike since he came to power.

 

Or a well placed boot.

 

There's nothing wrong with hopping across the pavement if you do it
properly either.