I used the bus lane (where present) all the way from the Maybury/A8 junction to King's Road yesterday evening sometime after 21:00 and mostly had it to myself and a few parked cars/stopped taxis.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Bus lanes to change
(321 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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BUT my real concern is Leith Street and Earl Grey Street (any others?) where there is often quite a lot of off-peak traffic.
Those two are very rarely free of parked cars during operational hours already. :-/
Posted 9 years ago # -
EGSt isn't too bad for parking, but I'm more concerned about the southbound, central, buslane - presumably that will now be open to 'all'(?)
Posted 9 years ago # -
Very good Spokes summary linked in Chdot's 3rd last post - angry but under control. I feel that Spokes should not under any circumstances get involved in the before and after analysis. It will only allow the Council to say "Spokes were consulted". Spokes should maintain the line the decision was 100% wrong and they will not be party in any way to its implementation, which is how it would be interpreted.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Personally, I don't think it will change my driving - I tend to avoid the bus lanes because I've noticed that buses tend to stop in them every so often and I don't want to be in the position where I have to wait for ages to get back into a stream of traffic in the outside lane.
Also, parked cars/vans etc - it's safer for me to stay in the outside lane where I can make predictable (to me and other road users) progress rather than change lanes every time there's an obstacle.
I only tend to use them when I know there are junctions coming up and going into the bus lane will mean bypassing a queue of cars waiting on a right-turner.
The main adverse impact (if you will) for cyclists I can see is that the more drivers are looking to swap lanes, the greater the risk that they "don't see" a cyclist in the bus lane and they pull out of the outside lane into the cyclist.
Posted 9 years ago # -
" What I actually hope happens is people park in them. Makes them unusable by a car, and 'usually' there's plenty space to go round on a bike."
No, please, no. Parked cars are the worst aspect of road cycling in Edinburgh (amongst several other bad aspects). It's not just a question of passing the parked car within the bus lane. To pass parked cars you have to weave in and out (cue car drivers' comments), you have to move out to avoid dooring which does put you perilously close to traffic, and it is a huge disincentive to the slightly less confident.
Posted 9 years ago # -
EGSt isn't too bad for parking, but I'm more concerned about the southbound, central, buslane - presumably that will now be open to 'all'(?)
Oh yes that one. Difficult to see how that area could get even more hostile but I suppose it is possible.
Posted 9 years ago # -
In bus lanes I mostly ride primary to avoid surprises, but I'm usually aware of a bus or cab coming up behind me because I've heard it first. If I feel its then safe to do so I can drift to secondary and allow them to overtake.
I fear that I won't be so aware of the motorcycles that will now be allowed in that hitherto, relatively safe space.
A swerve to avoid a pot hole in a bus lane is usually trouble and risk free. I doubt that will be the same with a motorcycle bearing up on me like a bat out of hell.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"I doubt that will be the same with a motorcycle bearing up on me like a bat out of hell."
I'm *hoping* that there will still be very few motorbikes and that they'll 'behave'.
Though it's a long time since I thought that most pilots of powered two-wheelers would understand/respect non-powered people
Posted 9 years ago # -
I fear that I won't be so aware of the motorcycles that will now be allowed in that hitherto, relatively safe space.
Hmm. Because all motorbikers are law-breaking hooligans, who ride everywhere at top speed while mowing down children and animals.
Allowing bikers to use the bus lanes is successful only as far as the bus lane extends. Beyond that the rider has to rejoin the traffic flow, additionally in order to filter further on the offside. In this context, a lone torpedo rider is in much the same situation. Many bikers will however carry on filtering on the offside where road space makes this the preferable option.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"Hmm. Because all motorbikers are law-breaking hooligans, who ride everywhere at top speed while mowing down children and animals."
Really, that's what you took from my comment?
Wow.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"the motorcycles that will now be allowed in that hitherto, relatively safe space"
That bit, perhaps? (My emphases.)
Perhaps the Meat Loaf reference, though his lyrics don't clearly define whether the bat in the simile originates from or is returning from a visit to Hell, which possibilities could result in marked variations in behaviour.Posted 9 years ago # -
I didn't feel the need to quote all of your post, but you did say '…motorcycle bearing up on me like a bat out of hell.' We're not all like that, you know.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Even with your emphasis @Wingpig, getting from
"the motorcycles that will now be allowed in that hitherto, relatively safe space"
to
"Because all motorbikers are law-breaking hooligans, who ride everywhere at top speed while mowing down children and animals."
Is a quantum leap. A very unreasonable quantum leap
Posted 9 years ago # -
Maybe people keep out because of the bus stops.
Maybe because they assume it's all day.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I had a really evil close pass in the Slateford Road bus lane on Sunday - when it isn't operational anyway, of course. I was possibly being too relaxed as most traffic does just come by in the other lane, so the close pass was particularly unexpected.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Spokes' response:
http://www.spokes.org.uk/2015/06/bus-lanes-150-objections-rejected/
Posted 9 years ago # -
"
Bus lanes… traffic welcome too
•CEC is introducing a trial scheme to allow general traffic into the majority of bus lanes outwith peak hours
•May impact a small number of commuters
"
P194
Posted 9 years ago # -
Looks like it won't be long befoe the motorbikes get to share the bus lanes.
These were spotted on St John's Road - the tape is covering up a motorbike symbol....
Boo... The motorbikes are coming... by HankChief, on Flickr
Posted 9 years ago # -
Well they are usually ok when they decide to be in the advanced stopping box
Posted 9 years ago # -
I already regualarly have issues with one motorbike doing a similar commute as me.
He currently uses the St John's Road bus lanes when he gets bored of queueing which irks me a little if I see it up ahead but it scares the living daylights out of me when he overtakes me within the Bus lane and I'm already riding primary. Has happened a couple of times in the last year, but I can only see the frequency increasing now that he is officially allowed in them.
I've seen his motorbike parked in my work's car 0ark but I've not worked out who he is.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I think bus lanes should be seven days a week seven a.m. To seven p.m. For buses, bikes and taxis only, like they are in Glasgow. I have expressed this view in consultation but politicians are clearly not wanting to be seen as anti-motorist
Posted 9 years ago # -
"Well they are usually ok when they decide to be in the advanced stopping box"
Not if they have one of those exhaust pipes whose angle seems to be chosen to deliberately puff fuelly smells up towards pedal-cyclists' nostril-height.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Bus lanes trials about to commence - Monday 5th Oct.
This will allow comprehensive data to be collected to assess the actual impact of the changes on all bus lane user groups prior to making any decision on permanent changes.
[my bold]
I think "comprehensive data" amounts to video surveys at a couple of locations
Posted 9 years ago # -
Transport convener, councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “The different operating hours that apply to bus lanes can cause confusion. We are therefore running a trial to have 90 per cent of bus lanes operating at peak periods only.
“The purpose of this is to see if standardised operating hours will make it simpler for drivers, without impacting adversely on bus journey times or compromising the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
“By allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes we will also be making their journeys both safer and quicker, with little or no impact on buses.
“Both trials will be closely monitored throughout to assess the impact on all road users.”
Posted 9 years ago # -
"90 per cent"
So only 10% confusion???!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 9 years ago # -
I struggle to see how letting more vehicles use bus lanes will not compromise safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Don't worry - "comprehensive data to be collected to assess the actual impact of the changes on all bus lane user groups".
So it'll all be just fine.
Maybe.
Sometime.
Perhaps.
Posted 9 years ago # -
In the Lesley quote it appears our safety is being used to test if those in control of a tonne of metal are less confused reading a sign.
I can't say I'm that impressed that it's only the impact of motorbikes on buses (and not me) that's being considered...
Appreciate we aren't going to get anywhere grumbling over it now the trial is about to start. But I won't be shy in quoting examples of how it has impacted me.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"I can't say I'm that impressed that it's only the impact of motorbikes on buses (and not me) that's being considered..."
+1
Posted 9 years ago #
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