Bus Lane Enforcement

dec_82

Hey Guys,

I'm going to be switching job soon which will take me into town on my steed.

Does anyone find bus lane enforcement stricter in town than the suburbs or same story goes, dip in but be ready to dip out if you see the guards?

I remember a Tony Toner BBG article prior to Christmas where he listed one of the benefits of getting on a bike was using buslanes but I'm presuming it was nudge nudge wink wink and not a law change I missed

ayux4rj6zql2ph

dec_82 wrote: »

Hey Guys,

I'm going to be switching job soon which will take me into town on my steed.

Does anyone find bus lane enforcement stricter in town than the suburbs or same story goes, dip in but be ready to dip out if you see the guards?

I remember a Tony Toner BBG article prior to Christmas where he listed one of the benefits of getting on a bike was using buslanes but I'm presuming it was nudge nudge wink wink and not a law change I missed

Bus lanes can be used outside the hours displayed.

Be careful though as some of them are 24 hour and signage isn’t great

GBX

No law change. I've seen it posted on here/Facebo0k about lads getting pulled in. But that's a rarity. As always, if you are not taking the piss and speeding etc you should be ok.

Green_Martian

I use them everyday, as GBX said once you are not talking the pi$$ and speeding in them some Gardaí will turn a blind eye, have seen them do it a number of times in Fairview. Also if you see a Garda car always best to slow down and not fly past them in the bus lane, don't want to rattle the cage

Generally its easier for a bike to move out of the bus lane, so if you are unsure and can see a member of Gardaí ahead best to pull into normal lane if not sure.

Blanchy90

I use the bus lanes in and out of town every day and I'd say I pass the guards set up to pull in people in the bus lane at least 3 times a week but often its many more times than that. I stay in the bus lane and have never had an issue, I've had guards in cars move over to let me pass them multiple times just take it handy and you should be grand

draycottgirlz

Blanchy90 wrote: »

I use the bus lanes in and out of town every day and I'd say I pass the guards set up to pull in people in the bus lane at least 3 times a week but often its many more times than that. I stay in the bus lane and have never had an issue, I've had guards in cars move over to let me pass them multiple times just take it handy and you should be grand

same here

thos

Blanchy90 wrote: »

I use the bus lanes in and out of town every day and I'd say I pass the guards set up to pull in people in the bus lane at least 3 times a week but often its many more times than that. I stay in the bus lane and have never had an issue, I've had guards in cars move over to let me pass them multiple times just take it handy and you should be grand

Ditto, mostly. Only exception was being waved to get out of bus lane by the Gardaí who were checking for cars in the bus lane. I gave a friendly wave back, moved into the standard lane for 50yards, and then back into the bus lane.

I've had a Gardaí bike filter up past me while in the bus lane too. Funny, he moved into the lane then after and I 'undertook' him again. No issues.

But as above, don't take the piss. Wont take much for a couple of edge cases to get the wrong attention, and for someone to go on a clampdown campaign.

dec_82

Cheers for the feedback guys

Lumen

It's better to stay in the bus lane than drop in and out of it, because then you're breaking two laws rather than one (the second is undertaking).

This was explained to me by a member of AGS who let me go after a severe bollocking. He also thought I was speeding, although I wasn't, but that's how it can look when the other traffic is slow or stopped and you're pulling away from lights quickly.

Del2005

Lumen wrote: »

It's better to stay in the bus lane than drop in and out of it, because then you're breaking two laws rather than one (the second is undertaking).

This was explained to me by a member of AGS who let me go after a severe bollocking. He also thought I was speeding, although I wasn't, but that's how it can look when the other traffic is slow or stopped and you're pulling away from lights quickly.

It's the swerving that's dangerous. My brother was following another bike filtering through traffic. The other bike was swerving across lanes and my brother was just riding straight, Garda pulled the 1st bike and waved my brother on.

zubair

Del2005 wrote: »

It's the swerving that's dangerous. My brother was following another bike filtering through traffic. The other bike was swerving across lanes and my brother was just riding straight, Garda pulled the 1st bike and waved my brother on.

Not sure why exactly they were pulled over but bear in mind that law the Lumen is referring to is that you can't cross the bus lane road marking until it is broken, meaning in most cases, you only enter and exit the bus lane at the start and end.


I ride in the bus lanes all the time and pass the guards regularly, never had an issue and I always ensure I'm not in hooligan mode.

Lumen

Del2005 wrote: »

It's the swerving that's dangerous. My brother was following another bike filtering through traffic. The other bike was swerving across lanes and my brother was just riding straight, Garda pulled the 1st bike and waved my brother on.

Filtering is also fairly hazardous. The bus lane is generally a good place to be because you have good visibility, low traffic, and options if you get cut up.

Also, one person's "swerve" is another's "efficient lane change". I remember when I first came to Ireland my then future wife telling me to stop swerving on the motorway. I patiently explained that moving back to lane 1 when I'd finished overtaking was called "lane discipline" where I was from.

Paulw

I'm riding in bus lanes every day, to and from work. I've been lit up (blue lights) once, but I think they were just in a hurry somewhere. They weren't running with lights when they came up behind me, they lit me up, I moved out, they drove by, and nothing more. I think they were late for shift change or something.

But, I've passed many checkpoints, and passed many times where they were stopping cars in the bus lane. I've never been stopped.

As long as you ride safely, don't take the p1ss, you're generally fine. But, by the letter of the law, using the bus lane is illegal except during specified times. You'd need to catch a Guard having a very bad day to be pulled for it.

zubair

sonyvision wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zz6iNTP-Do

Some footage over the last number of months.

Here's a good example just posted recently in the dash cam thread. Scooter nips past the bus lane check point.

Thankfully it's in the first clip otherwise you'd be bored to tears watching drivers in the wrong lane.

Lumen

There were two fairly major shunts on the suburban N11 southbound last night, the first had emergency services in attendance and the second one I was a witness to.

The second incident involved stopped traffic in the first two lanes as cars were making inept lane changes before an exit. A car just ploughed into the stopped car to the right of me.

It was dark but otherwise conditions were perfect.

This has strengthened my desire to stay keep myself as segregated from car traffic as possible. I really don't fancy being rear ended. Despite the slagging that the gardai get, it pleases me enormously to live in a country where they are prepared to turn a blind eye for the sake of safety.

Hotblack Desiato

This law is a complete ass and most Gardai have the sense to see that

Cienciano

I've been waved into them before by gardai! But as everyone says, don't take the píss and you'll be fine. Stick to speed limits. I was stopped but it was a tax checkpoint, they never even mentioned the bus lane

Jaden

I've gone around Dame Street (buses and taxis only), when they were pulling cars for doing it, Cops acted like I was invisible.

They'd rather see you in the bus lane (that you can exit speedily if needed), than be scraping you off the N11.

snootsnoot

Jaden wrote: »

I've gone around Dame Street (buses and taxis only), when they were pulling cars for doing it, Cops acted like I was invisible.

They'd rather see you in the bus lane (that you can exit speedily if needed), than be scraping you off the N11.

Same on N4, Pulling cars no problem but looked straight past me and the 2 bikes ahead and one behind me, just take it handy in them and they don't seem to have a problem.

Colm17RvB

Got pulled there last year for being in the bus lane during hours by a garda biker, pulled up and he was all stern and waving his finger about but was speaking really calmly saying this is only for display for the cars passing by, I asked could I have a smoke he said sure, so I had a smoke and continued to get what appeared to road users as a lecture from him while we're actually just having a chat. When I pulled off it was after 7 so went straight back into the bus lane and waved at him as I went off.

Long story short, don't take the piss and be nice if you get pulled cos it is technically illegal.

2shea

GBX wrote: »

No law change. I've seen it posted on here/Facebo0k about lads getting pulled in. But that's a rarity. As always, if you are not taking the piss and speeding etc you should be ok.

This. Don't take the piss or do something daft and you will be fine. Used with garda bike infront of me or behind me meny times without issues.

Muahahaha

If they ever did decide to enforce the law I don't think it'd be worth biking in the city would be worth it anymore such are the levels of traffic. Bus lanes are a huge time saver. Plus I don't mind biking in the rain but if you couldn't make progress and are getting wet sitting still jammed in traffic then its just not worth it imo. Thankfully so long as you don't act the d1ck in bus lanes then you're okay.

Also if you are ever knocked off your bike in a bus lane don't think you're at fault for illegally being there. There has been court cases before where drivers have tried to use the excuse that the biker was breaking the law so therefore they are not liable but judges look beyond that when deciding liability. The excuse doesn't stack up but it will likely be used against you as part of any defence.

dashcamdanny

Im a bus driver. Garda dont give a sh1te who uses them. Would be odd to see anyone get pulled let alone bikes.


I use both cycle and bus lanes on my commute. for years. Never an issue as long as you dont act the maggot.

zubair

It's more likely to become legal than be enforced. Many cities in the UK allow motorbikes use the bus lanes.

colm_c

As said, don't be an ass, and you'll be grand.

Also, contraflow bus lanes are no go for motorbikes, seen a few lads on motorbikes in them recently to take a short cut. Not a great idea.

TallGlass

I'd say if they ever decided to enforce it, they would quickly legalise it, as I would predict a massive rise in accidents with motorcycles, just my two cents.

2shea

colm_c wrote: »

As said, don't be an ass, and you'll be grand.

Also, contraflow bus lanes are no go for motorbikes, seen a few lads on motorbikes in them recently to take a short cut. Not a great idea.

Christ no! don't ever do that. I have seen a few pleb doing that lately. Then fools will ruin it for us all as they will ban all use.

kavanagh_h

If anything happens in the bus lane then you are in the wrong. Someone recently said to be " its okay to use them until its not okay". That basically sums it up

zubair

kavanagh_h wrote: »

If anything happens in the bus lane then you are in the wrong. Someone recently said to be " its okay to use them until its not okay". That basically sums it up

That's pretty broad. If there's an incident in the bus lane the same rules apply as if you were in a normal lane, nothing changes because you were in a bus lane.

Sonics2k

zubair wrote: »

That's pretty broad. If there's an incident in the bus lane the same rules apply as if you were in a normal lane, nothing changes because you were in a bus lane.

I think it more means that if there's an incident with a bus, then you're at fault immediately for being in the bus lane.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Sonics2k wrote: »

I think it more means that if there's an incident with a bus, then you're at fault immediately for being in the bus lane.

So a bus runs rear ends you you're automatically at fault?.. Don't be silly.

Right and wrong doesn't change according to whether you should be in a bus lane or not.

Del2005

Sonics2k wrote: »

I think it more means that if there's an incident with a bus, then you're at fault immediately for being in the bus lane.

Nope. The fact that someone is breaking a law does not absolve other people from their responsibility. If you are in the bus lane then you may be given a partial liability but it would be tiny compared to the person who committed the bigger offence of entering a lane already occupied.

Wossack

only break one law at a time

zubair

Wossack wrote: »

only break one law at a time

Best advice yet!

Nodster

Soon after the bus lane law became enforced in the early 80's, I got nabbed and ended up in court. When the judge heard I had tax, licence and insurance he dismissed the case and gave the rookie cop a bollicking (seems I wasn't the first biker up on the same charge that morning)

NickNickleby

Can't post a link to this as its probably too long ago. I remember reading a case where a guy riding in the bus lane hit a car that had driven across him to enter private property. I think it was in Ballsbridge. Anyway, the car driver claimed the accident wouldn't have occurred if the motorbike wasn't illegally in the bus lane. The judge agreed and split the difference,I think it was 40% culpability for the biker. It was very relevant to me at the time as I used to ride that route every morning, so I was REAL cautious after that.

About 10 years ago I was in the bus lane in Fairview, approaching Edge's Corner from Clontarf. At the last minute I spot the bike Garda hiding, and looked to see if I'd be able to slip into the traffic. Wasn't having it. He pulled me in and bollocked me from a height. And it wasn't for show either. Still, didn't get done or anything, but I was bristling afterwards. He kept me there for about 5 minutes, and when he let me go, none of the so-and-sos's in the traffic would let me enter the lane, and he didn't make them either.:pac:

BTW, it was a Honda Deauville, so I wasn't breaking any records.

Green_Martian

NickNickleby wrote: »

About 10 years ago I was in the bus lane in Fairview, approaching Edge's Corner from Clontarf. At the last minute I spot the bike Garda hiding, and looked to see if I'd be able to slip into the traffic. Wasn't having it. He pulled me in and bollocked me from a height. And it wasn't for show either. Still, didn't get done or anything, but I was bristling afterwards. He kept me there for about 5 minutes, and when he let me go, none of the so-and-sos's in the traffic would let me enter the lane, and he didn't make them either.:pac:

BTW, it was a Honda Deauville, so I wasn't breaking any records.

That's mad, Garda car with 2 Gardaí checking for cars in the bus lane this morning and yesterday morning in Fariview at the same spot, just before the bend at Edges corner heading into town.
Both mornings 1 Garda had a car pulled in and the other was standing checking the bus lane and just looked right past me and at least 2 to 3 other bikes.
In fairness I slowed down below the speed limit so as not to take the absolute pi$$

unattendedbag

It's not really that surprising. Most people with common sense realise that it's not the motorbikes holding up the traffic causing congestion and blocking the bus lanes at the end. Plow on.

Also it's only a €60 fine. No penalty points

colm_c

I've been using the bus lanes on my commute for over 12 years. Never once been stopped. Waved on plenty of times. Chatted to garda bikers at the lights plenty of times too.

Seen plenty of lads on bikes being stopped, mostly because they were riding like an ass, not because of being in the bus lane.

NickNickleby

Yeah, my experience above was a once off. On the same stretch some time afterwards, saw a different garda checking the bus lane. As I approached, he coincidentally turned to look in the opposite direction, so he obviously didn't notice me as I approached. Which was handy!

I'd say over the years I encountered Gardai in the bus lanes less than a dozen times, with just that one stop. And funnily enough, I don't think I've ever seen another bike pulled in. I was commuting across the city for about 15 years.

My experience is historical, insofar as I haven't motorcycled to work in about 5 years.

edit to add: I mention the historical aspect, just to emphasise that I don't know the current state of play regarding the issue.

MSVforever

I saw them pulling over bikes on the Long Mile road in the last 2 weeks. They're usually around the Toyota dealership. I think it's pot luck if you get pulled or not.

PCeeeee

unattendedbag wrote: »

It's not really that surprising. Most people with common sense realise that it's not the motorbikes holding up the traffic causing congestion and blocking the bus lanes at the end. Plow on.

Also it's only a €60 fine. No penalty points

Really?

Edit: As far as I can see you're absolutely right. I did not know that.

Hotblack Desiato

MSVforever wrote: »

I saw them pulling over bikes on the Long Mile road in the last 2 weeks. They're usually around the Toyota dealership. I think it's pot luck if you get pulled or not.

I go by there every day on the bike and have never seen guards there at all.

2shea

I haven't used the bike to commute in Dublin in 5 years as I'm working in kildare now, but as I have said I have been in the bus lane with guards infront of me behind and stopped at lights with bike nil issue only a nod of the head.

Last summer in the bus lane on the blood bike I got asked at the lights do you ever use the blues on that, to which I said know I'm not trained for it. He laughed and said what's the point so. I just said I think it mostly used in shopping centres for fund raising and drawing attention. Any run ins I have with traffic bikes is awasys been good. got to sit on the new R1200RTP and got the full run down on it and apparently not all bike garda can ride them as they are regarded as high performance which means extra training.

They are looking for something replace the Deauville and I think he said They Were testing the belt-drive f800GT . He was a Mayo man so naturally he was sound

KildareMan

2shea wrote: »

I haven't used the bike to commute in Dublin in 5 years as I'm working in kildare now, but as I have said I have been in the bus lane with guards infront of me behind and stopped at lights with bike nil issue only a nod of the head.

Last summer in the bus lane on the blood bike I got asked at the lights do you ever use the blues on that, to which I said know I'm not trained for it. He laughed and said what's the point so. I just said I think it mostly used in shopping centres for fund raising and drawing attention. Any run ins I have with traffic bikes is awasys been good. got to sit on the new R1200RTP and got the full run down on it and apparently not all bike garda can ride them as they are regarded as high performance which means extra training.

They are looking for something replace the Deauville and I think he said They Were testing the belt-drive f800GT . He was a Mayo man so naturally he was sound

Ther's 2 levels of bike Gardai, the Deauville and the BMW. I think the Deauville level is District and the BMW is Regional (not 100% on regional, just that it's advanced)

veetwin

I followed a BMW traffic bike all the way into town today in the bus lane without issue. We both kept religiously to the speed limit though.

iwillhtfu

https://twitter.com/GardaTraffic/status/1124633183931203584

colm_c

iwillhtfu wrote: »

https://twitter.com/GardaTraffic/status/1124633183931203584

Speed was the problem here.

Would have been fine otherwise.

That falls into the category of being an ass in the bus lane.

iwillhtfu

colm_c wrote: »

Speed was the problem here.

Would have been fine otherwise.

That falls into the category of being an ass in the bus lane.

I was thinking the same myself but goes to show it may be overlooked but there are exceptions,

zubair

Given there's no traffic in the image, I'd guess this chap was tearing down the bus lane and undertaking in moving traffic. Personally I only use them in congested traffic where otherwise I would have to filter, whichever is safer or faster.