tungsten

Should bicycles share the express lane with busses during rush hour?

1.) current signage disallows cars but taxis ok if they do not stop/amended hrs are 07:00 - 10:00 and 15:00 - 19:00.
2.) Traffic calmed bicycle routes exist on parallel streets 3 blocks north and 1 block south of arterial road in question.

CliffordK

I'm rather mixed on this... so the answer is it depends.

The special bus lanes are often put in to keep buses moving. I do believe that bikes should be able to use them if riding safely and not interfering with bus traffic. But, what happens when an express bus comes up behind a bicycle that is happily cruising along at 5 MPH?

Should the cyclist be required to pull out of the lane? Or should the bus pull out of the lane into a traffic lane to pass? What about places where passing is inconvenient?

Or, when traffic gets jammed up at traffic signals?

In Portland, the bus lanes in downtown are BUSY.
In Eugene, they've installed a few express bus lanes, with maybe a bus every half hour... otherwise a pristine lane, even sometimes separated from traffic by curbs. These would be great for riding bikes, except when the bus needs to pass.

My guess is that one could convince 90% of the cyclists to be cognizant of others needs and courteous. But, there will always be that 10% that just doesn't care and ruins it for all. If the sign says bikes OK, then by God, they can take the lane.

CliffordK

Perhaps one option would be to make it illegal, but with an understanding that cyclists won't be cited or prosecuted unless they actually hinder buses, or ride unsafely.

Oh, one other thing that Eugene/Springfield did was lay down two narrow concrete tire strips with a grassy strip down the middle. Thus, some of the lanes are a major pain to ride on.

SylvainG

When paths are flooded at Spring time, we have to share a road segment with buses and I can tell you some drivers do not like it and it shows in their behavior... So for me, it's a definitively no, no sharing with buses. They are way too big.

mr_bill

CliffordK

They rode horses, or drove teams of horses with their coaches?

Daniel4

Once upon a time, car traffic wasn't so congested as they are now.

Daniel4

Provided:
1) there are no separated bike lanes;
2) bike lanes are blocked with parked cars or construction detours.

mr_bill

So it's the car traffic that's the problem? So why whine about people on bikes getting in the way of a bus operator?

Around here I share lanes with bus operators. Most of them are general traffic lanes. Not all of them have "car traffic" that is in the way. We seem to get along ok.

One bus/bike lane I frequent I don't slow down the bus operator, I pass them - once - and never see them again. What does slows them down - their customers getting on and off the bus.

On the rare times that they've managed to catch up to me in the bus/bike lane, I move left into the general traffic lane, and they pass me on my right staying in the bus lane. We seem to get along ok.

(Only once, in years of riding, did a bus operator not get along ok and do something very stupid and dangerous. I did not die.)

Oh, other than their customers, there is ONE OTHER THING around here that consistently slows down bus operators and people on bikes in a bus/bike lane.

What do bus operators around here complain about the bus/bike lanes? People in cars PARKED in the bus/bike lane.
What do people on bikes around her complain about the bus/bike lanes? People in cars PARKED in the bus/bike lane.

Now back to busforums, er, bikeforums....

-mr. bill

Daniel4

Who's whining? I voted it was ok for bikes to ride in the bus lanes and I posted provided there are no separated bike lanes or the bike lanes are blocked by parked cars or construction.

AlmostTrick

Yes. More options for bikes is a good thing.

KraneXL

Buses don't often have exclusive lanes but when the do sharing the lane is already the norm in many big cities.

rumrunn6

buses are killers

ExPatTyke

Cyclists are allowed to use bus lanes here. From experience though there is a big problem in that where a bus lane ends and becomes a normal lane drivers will cut straight into it.

JoeyBike

I pretty much abide by 2 rules:

1. I do my best to not hinder progress of motorists.

2. I avoid running into things/people at all costs.

If I feel I can accomplish ^^these two things easily, I don't pay much attention to traffic furnishings and ride wherever I want.

I did not check an option in the poll. It would depend on more than the info at hand. I would have to bike it a couple of times to give an intelligent answer. The odds of a city bus catching up to me in The Grid is zero. How goofy is it to get past a bus in MY way would be the issue.

tungsten

Not yet seen a cyclist who could keep pace on that grade. Maybe because the ones that can know better?

KraneXL

This is an issue with most bike lanes everywhere. They end abrupt with no warning and no safe transition to continue your ride. Its like when you're on a hobby-horse and the time clock runs out.

mr_bill

West Broadway? You are literally making a mountain out of a molehill. Long lenses tend to do that.

-mr. bill

Dahon.Steve

In some cities, the bus lane is the bike lane! (or very close to it) I don't see the problem at all unless you end up playing leap frog with the bus. That can be dangerous. I would prefer a bus in back of me with a professional driver than a motorist.

mr_bill

KraneXL

They are not. Just be aware of them and don't block the buses. They have the right of way.

As long as you make your intentions clear and well in advance they don't have an issue with cyclist. They recognized you have a right to the roads too. Most of them anyway.

rumrunn6

Comm. Ave. Boston moved the bike lane to the left side of the road because of the buses & parked cars

before they did that, I rode to Fenway Park from a western suburb. trying to ride on the right side of the road, was suicidal. I eventually figured that out & rode on the left side of the road, far far away from the buses

mr_bill

Where on Comm Ave are there bike lanes on the left and buses?

-mr. bill

rumrunn6

this is what I was referring to (this is at Charlesgate)

fietsbob

With a Folding Bike, you join them rather than fight them , get on the Bus Gus..