Bus lane fine in Reading

[AndrewO]

That's the second one of these to greet me on the doormat recently.

What's annoying is all these new bus lanes that have opened up in Reading, some allow Motorbikes and some don't. I don't understand why they don't allow Motorbikes on all of them, or none at all.

I'm sure it would be cheaper to have no numberplate at all and pay the £30 fine if stopped.

Is this the same for other towns/cities around the UK ?

[obscene]

I'm always careful around Reading. Absolute bds with the one way system and bike lanes!

[John D.]

Care to spill the beans on which bus lane it was? As you say they are new I am guessing its possibly one on Vastern Rd? Or perhaps at M4 J11 roundabout?

Vastern Rd has only been around for a few weeks. Pretty sure I have rode up that! I think I heard there was an amnesty on car drivers using it for a while 'to let people get used to it'.

M4 J11 are buses only. Its clearly signposted as such. Just as well as the general policy in Reading is bus lanes are open to motorbikes. Which is the opposite of Oxford - quite confusing when you learn to ride in Reading and then take your test in Oxford!!

[AndrewO]

yip, Vastern Rd last week. The other two were in the car, old lanes but with the new cameras.

I need to have a cycle round town and see what is allowed.

Edited by AndrewO on Tuesday 20th August 07:42

[Rubin215]

Powers of observation...

They all have signs telling you what they are; if you're not seeing the signs, what else are you missing?


Where did I leave my big spoon...

[moto_traxport]

AndrewO said:

Is this the same for other towns/cities around the UK ?

There was a programme on BBC1 month or so back about bus lane and traffic junction fines and Reading council one of the most prolific outside London. They've now got little vans with CCTV on top driving around to catch people who park in bus lanes as well.

Just three fines for me in 5 years working in Reading, all in the van. Generally when they've just changed the rules on something. Bastids!

[RemaL]

One thing I must ensure I look for as I take if for granted using Bus lanes. The south west for as long as I know allowed bikes in bus lanes. I was taught on my DAS to use bus lanes where indicated.

Strange other areas don't allow this and I cannot ever remember a issue with bikes in bus lanes

[John D.]

RemaL said:

One thing I must ensure I look for as I take if for granted using Bus lanes. The south west for as long as I know allowed bikes in bus lanes. I was taught on my DAS to use bus lanes where indicated.

Strange other areas don't allow this and I cannot ever remember a issue with bikes in bus lanes

This is why it is a particular bd for bikers. Some places you can use the bus lane unless sign posted otherwise - others you cannot unless it is signposted! Bit of a joke really.

Although can't say I've ever been stung by this personally

[cramman]

All seems fairly straight forward round Newcastle/Gateshead, Bus lanes are for Buses (although taxis think they are buses) and No car lanes are not for cars but anything else, bikes etc., is allowed.

[podman]

AndrewO said:

I'm sure it would be cheaper to have no numberplate at all and pay the £30 fine if stopped.

...and I bet you never will be...who dares wins..!

[SteelerSE]

I had a "you were caught in one but we'll let you off this time" letter from Reading. Probably because I was only in it for about 10 yards.

[SteveSteveson]

AndrewO said:

Is this the same for other towns/cities around the UK ?

No. Most don't let us use the bus lanes at all... Apparently we are less environmentally friendly than a taxi and less vulnerable than a cyclist...

According to Oxford City Council bikes can't use the bus lanes because "some bikes are as inefficient as large SUVs"... fk knows what bike they are riding.

“Powered two wheeled vehicles have a mixed carbon impact. Smaller mopeds produce fewer emissions than that for buses per passenger whilst larger ones give emissions equivalent to a car or, in the case of the largest motorcycles, a 4x4. While their impact is very different, these powered two wheelers are all in the same class for traffic regulation. It is not therefore considered appropriate to favour powered two wheelers in carbon reduction terms.”

[LordFlathead]

Rubin215 said:

Powers of observation...

They all have signs telling you what they are; if you're not seeing the signs, what else are you missing?


Where did I leave my big spoon...

^^This.

The sign looks like this:



Some have a lickle picture of a motorcycle in and some do not.. guess what? If you haven't got a lickle motorcycle picture in it you can't use the bus lane.

Be careful because there are often big red things driving in that lane too, not sure if you've noticed one of those yet

[moanthebairns]

Rubin215 said:

Powers of observation...

They all have signs telling you what they are; if you're not seeing the signs, what else are you missing?


Where did I leave my big spoon...

bus lanes with time limits are a especially if you havent set your clock on your motorbike or dont have a clock....

[creampuff]

LordFlathead said:

^^This.

The sign looks like this:



Some have a lickle picture of a motorcycle in and some do not.. guess what? If you haven't got a lickle motorcycle picture in it you can't use the bus lane.

Be careful because there are often big red things driving in that lane too, not sure if you've noticed one of those yet

Bus lanes can change hours of operation or allow/exclude motos within the space of 50 metres, then change back again. It is quite possible to make a mistake. Even if you don't make a mistake, then while you are reading the sign you aren't doing something else.

[LordFlathead]

Ok don't I know. I got enough tickets when I was a courier in London. In fact the first week I had more tickets than I'd earnt so was on a minus figure

[kenno78]

creampuff said:

Bus lanes can change hours of operation or allow/exclude motos within the space of 50 metres, then change back again. It is quite possible to make a mistake. Even if you don't make a mistake, then while you are reading the sign you aren't doing something else.

^^^ This.

There's one on the Albert Embankment and it's completely ridiculous.

[creampuff]

LordFlathead said:

Ok don't I know. I got enough tickets when I was a courier in London. In fact the first week I had more tickets than I'd earnt so was on a minus figure

Oooh, one time I was planning on buying some eye drops anyway a bit later. Then I made a mistake and moto'd along the bus lane in Regent Street.

I went straight to Boots and bought the eye drops right away. I thought if I got a ticket I could say "I got something in my eye and had to pull over, look, here's the receipt I had to get some eye drops!"

[LordFlathead]

Doubt it, the system goes something like:

1) CCTV captures reg plate
2) Fine issued
3) Defendent appeals paperwork with lame excuse
4) Appeal denied and more paperwork sent this time with a bigger fine.

Is it fair? No.
Does it help ease congestion? No.
Does it make it safer for bikes? No.
Does it earn them a bloody fortune?

[RemyMartin]

LordFlathead said:

^^This.

The sign looks like this:



Some have a lickle picture of a motorcycle in and some do not.. guess what? If you haven't got a lickle motorcycle picture in it you can't use the bus lane.

Be careful because there are often big red things driving in that lane too, not sure if you've noticed one of those yet

I read that sign as Buses, Cycles, Taxis and Motorcycles can use the lane anytime, and cars can use it outside of the hours stated....non?