Modern Vespa

Londoners, speak your brains: https://goo.gl/q1ZfwM

Done. Thanks Alice.

Cheers, Done.

My vote is for access to all, not just some bus lanes.

Nice one, Alice. I've done it.

Done. Also suggested access to all bus lanes.


The question on do you feel safe on London Roads was difficult to answer though - you could either answer safe or afraid or unsure - I was sure I was neither safe nor afraid. It might be a good idea for people to write their suggestions here so others filling out the form can also say the same (if they think the idea is a good one).

Ditto on the bus lanes.

I go through three different council areas on my hugely lengthy (about 4 whole miles!) commute, and with each change in LA, there's a change in bus route policy. Bonkers!!

I also suggested that it might be a good idea to remind bus drivers that (orange and) red lights actually mean "stop", rather than "stop if you feel like it", but I do often live in the realms of overoptimistic fantasy

I went for 'quite safe', which I felt summed up 'I am a reasonably safe rider who is nonetheless aware that an idiot may take me out any second'.

And another vote for bus lanes. There's a road near me where PTWs are allowed in the bus lane on one side but not the other, due to council boundaries.

Done. Thanks for sharing

Done!
Thanks Alice for bringing this up.

We obviously have different definitions for quite safe

Would it be worth asking to be able to use the cycle area at the front of traffic lights? Obviously priority should be for cyclists but it's dangerous when you're trying to move to the front of the queue and find some rider blocks all the following motorbikes and scooters by stopping in front of the cycle box. This leaves following riders to either get squeezed by the oncoming traffic when the lights change or, worse, finding one of the lead cars suddenly wants to turn right and your now in the wrong place to get past. As well as being dangerous as the lights change, it also means I now have to overtake the vehicles while they're moving while I could of done it while stationary. I'll emphasise again that priority should be for cyclists but it would be nice to share a little bit.

I asked if they could change the ASL rules to allow motorcycles too.

It's bonkers and bloody annoying that we can filter to the front, But if there's an ASL then we have to sit exposed (unless a nice driver moves over)

I asked for all bus lanes to be opened up, grippy man-hole covers and to be allowed to use the advance stop line.

I don't agree with PTWs using the ASL.

I'm sure to be in the minority, but London's so crowded that I think cycling has to be a big part of the way forward; and I think the current traffic systems leave cyclists so vulnerable, that ASLs should just be for cyclists.

Enough PTWs just use them as it is, and it crowds and bullies the cyclists, encouraging them to crowd and bully the pedestrians in turn.

I'm on my scooter. Every day. In central London. I make enough progress without using ASLs. No one is forcing me to push in at the front of a line of traffic (which, I thought - but I may be wrong - was against the Highway Code). I can always stop between the first and the second car, and if there's not room for me to do that, or if I can't see far enough to check that there's room for me, I can just wait a few seconds until I can see a safe way to get on with it.

I'm on my scooter. I'll get there quickly anyway, even if I show a bit of respect for cyclists and filter responsibly and patiently.

I also wonder about a simple series of you tube video's showing people how to improve their skills and safety. Perhaps trying to explain what people should be thinking about as they ride along - the aim being to anticipate things happening rather than having to react all the time.

That's a good idea, Robin.

I suggested more availability of cheap rider training, especially urban riding. And/or the expansion of funding for Bikesafe.

Probably with you on that one, although, I'm not sure if it would be a real problem. Interestingly there is an ASL on the Romford Road near Stratford which has a motorcycle symbol on it... EDIT - not any more it seems but you can see the old markings!

I wanted roadcraft/road awareness/road etiquette taught in schools. With the aim of being appreciative of the POV of all road users.

Well said that man

I'd go a step further and include in-depth vehicle awareness in driving instruction. Learner car drivers should be given a ride out in a HGV/PCV cab, taken for a pillion ride on a motorbike/scooter, etc. Showing them has gotta be better than just telling them.

This too.The problem with making self improvement optional is that the good drivers/riders will try to get better and the poor drivers/riders will not give a toss.
We ran parenting classes at school and only the good parents signed up.

Like most I started out driving a car and was probably pretty ignorant and inconsiderate of other vehicles until I did my HGV and PCV licences and realised I need to start allowing extra space and time for them.

Likewise until I bought my first scooter I didn't give much thought to PTWs on the road. But now I always anticipate filtering and more overtakes and I leave more space if I'm passing them in a big vehicle.

Maybe I'll write to DVSA and suggest it...

done even though I don't ride a motorcycle at the moment

like others, I suggested grippier/better positioned manhole covers, and compulsory days on a PTW for every learner driver (I doubt the second will ever be a reality, but one can dream...).

The results are in!

https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-assembly/london-assembly-publications/easy-rider-improving-motorcycle-safety-london

Funny, I've gotten that treatment in these parts: