Every morning on my commute (A13) i see riders go into the bus lane. It says that bikes arent permitted and the bus lane is enforced (730am). Am i missing something? Are we allowed in if we filter or if there are no buses around?
I dont know about the A13 but I got three bus lane tickets a while ago on the euston road and since then I do go them but stay dam close to the white line and try to dip in and out regularly and I’ve never had one since
Depending on where abouts on commercial road you are talking about, depends whether you can use them or not.Just after the blackwall tunnel they are usable, but once past limehouse they arent.
I, like you, often wonder the same, but I tend to “dip” and hug the white line, tis dangerous though, mirrors dont exist on cars around that area.
If it says your not, i would try it. I always try to afford a fine. Always look on the sign before hand, which should always tell you. But i do know how it really bugs me that these poeple do it.
Offend hope they do get the fine, while i’m waiting there!
Just becuase they’re penalty isnt instant doesnt mean they dont get fined…you just never know about it.
Bikes are allowed in most bus lanes on the A13 but not all. Check the sign before you enter - however - they will not fine you if:
1.) You’re on the white line
2.) Use the bus lane for a very short distance - usually under 25m)
3.) You only use the far right quarter of the bus lane
HOWEVER!!!
The people watching these cameras are only human and can make mistakes depending on their level of experience and training. If you’re unlucky enough to get a ticket and you are sure that you qualify one of the above then I would strongly suggest appealing.
BUT REMEMBER!
These are only guidlines they “in an ideal world” like to abide by…IT IS NOT LAW.
If in doubt STAY OUT.
What poo, I commuted along that stretch for 18 months and I used the bus lanes pretty much the whole time. You can choose to hug the white line but then you’re at the mercy of left turning numpties who have had enough of sitting in the traffic. I just made sure I did it when there wasn’t a bus behind me and no cameras were visible.
I usually tried to use the oncoming lane where possible, dipping into the bus lane from time to time to make progress until the bike bit of the bus lane.
Alternative was to sit in traffic for about an hour.
Depends which way the cameras are facing; if forward then no probs as can’t see you’re plat, if rearward then nipping back onto the road before one hits them / close to the white line tends to minimise the penalty risk.
And isn’t TFL supposed to be allowing bikers to use bus lanes now as was a BoJo manifesto promise. Maybe the appeal of ‘I though we were now able to use them with the new Mayor’ might work if caught…
Yeah im talking about beyond limehouse as i join from the link tunnel. Bumblebee what ure saying seems to make the most sense as the vast majority slip in and out and stay right hand of the lane.
Yeah u are the mercy of ppl turning left but ure also at the mercy of peopl turning right on the other side … not to sure which is worst.
I think ill just stick to what I am doing and only ocassionally go in and stay towards the right.
Useful advice as always guys - thanks.
i regualry use the bus lanes on a road into work, but only becuase i know teh cameras are always forward facing:D and i can see if they arent… and i have been done before in certain spots, so naturally i avoid these!
I use all the lanes on that stretch regularly even where not permitted. Dont ride in front of a bus though I believe they can photo you.
Also completely disagree with earlier advice. If you are going to use them dont hug the white line, if anybody forces you left you are going to get mashed by the black cab that is undertaking you. If you go in the lane then get right in.
indeed, dont go tight to teh traffic, if someone decides to pull into the bus lane you will have no chance, or if someone opens thier door…or as said someone may be under taking you, also watch for gaps in taffic they may be side roads etc
The A13 (East India Dock Road) approaching the slip road to the Blackwall Tunnel is for Buses, Cabs and Push Bikes only.
See the pic. There is a rear facing camera just after Nutmeg Lane.
Attachments
I use bus lanes all the time… and so far (and I’m touching lots of wood now) have never been fined. I’m working on the theory that the small number of times I get caught (as in never so far) will cost far less than the time I’ll have saved… there are however a couple of static enforcement cameras on my route which take a picture of the rear of a vehicle, which I obviously avoid at all costs during bus lane hours, and I don’t stay in the lane if a bus is coming down close behind, as some of them have cameras on them.
My youngest has karate on a Tues and Thurs in Lee starting at 7:30pm.
We leave at 7:15pm. The bus lane’s finish on Eltham Road finish at 7pm.
Just after passing Sutcliffe park one night I’m in the bus lane and this stupid woman just turns left right in front of me.
No feckin indicator or look over her shoulder (or mirror I guess) - nothing.
I managed to stop and beeped like mad. She opens her window and says why am I in the bus lane.
I lost it and screamed profanities !!! like my 10 year old has never heard (& hopefully wont hear again for a long time).
This is all such a crock of sh*t. Why are there so many variations of bus lane times, when and when not you can use them?
If you travel east from Deptford to Plumstead, the bus lane times randomly vary and some are so short you’ve been through them before you notice.
Yes, you’ve guessed. They are the all day ones with the cameras.
It’s all revenue earning borrocks.
Hope someone in Boris’ office is keeping an eye on our posts - or maybe we should send him copies - he did promise
In your dreams.
I kinda of agree - where I live in Aylesbury the bus lanes are so short as to make it almost pointless to use them, even though they are m/c lanes too. And changing out of the lane becomes a problem when people aren’t expecting it. Still, even if you don’t observe the restrictions, if you do a route often enough you can find which ones are available to you, when, and even which ones have cameras. 
Catch a bus, they can use them anytime.
I did that once.
Started out OK, but the driver would keep stopping to pick up scumbags and dick heads.