# Motorcycle driver: they are called BUS LANES for a reason! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 24, 2011, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452 "2011-02-24T14:59:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/1 "2011-02-24T14:59:56Z")
[Motorcycle and three buses crash in Lincoln Tunnel during morning rush hour](http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/02/24/motorcycle-3-buses-crash-in-lincoln-tunnel/). Motorcyclist critically injured. Riding your motorcycle in the bus lane of a tunnel is a very bad idea. I want the 1 1/2 hours I spent on a bus in the tube back. ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/2 "2011-02-24T19:08:43Z")
Motorcyclists think that the rules don’t apply to them, generally. They’re smaller and lighter, which makes them more maneuverable. Apparently, this gives you license to weave in and out of traffic, travel in blind spots, and in this case, drive in the bus lane. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/3 "2011-02-24T19:13:08Z")
Yes, but I did not need first hand knowledge of the outcome of a crash between a motorcycle and a bus or the domino effect it causes. ETA: [Link](http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/02/photos_52_injured_in_lincoln_t.html) ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/4 "2011-02-24T19:18:07Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > Motorcyclists think that the rules don’t apply to them, generally. They’re smaller and lighter, which makes them more maneuverable. Apparently, this gives you license to weave in and out of traffic, travel in blind spots, and in this case, drive in the bus lane. Wow. When you’re done with that extra-wide paintbrush, can I borrow it? ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/5 "2011-02-24T21:12:48Z")
> [@Spiff](#): > > Wow. > > When you’re done with that extra-wide paintbrush, can I borrow it? He said “generally”. Unwad your panties and read again, ass wipe. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/6 "2011-02-24T21:14:27Z")
I thought motorcycles were allowed in most HOV lanes (of which a Bus lane is a specific subset)? so what’s the fuckin issue if that’s the case? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/7 "2011-02-24T21:16:04Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > Motorcyclists think that the rules don’t apply to them, generally. They’re smaller and lighter, which makes them more maneuverable. Apparently, this gives you license to weave in and out of traffic, travel in blind spots, and in this case, drive in the bus lane. Ass. Yes, I see the word ‘generally.’ I still think it’s overly broad. _Some_ bikers may behave like that, but certainly not enough to make a statement like that. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/8 "2011-02-24T21:20:51Z")
Reminds me of an accident from a couple of years ago. Doctor on a motorcycle decided she could cut through through the construction cones and use the unoccupied lane. She ended up getting her bike stuck in wet concrete, went over the handlebars and ultimately needed reconstructive surgery to put her face back together. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/9 "2011-02-24T21:24:06Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Reminds me of an accident from a couple of years ago. Doctor on a motorcycle decided she could cut through through the construction cones and use the unoccupied lane. She ended up getting her bike stuck in wet concrete, went over the handlebars and ultimately needed reconstructive surgery to put her face back together. she got the professional courtesy discount at least, right? ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/10 "2011-02-24T21:35:27Z")
Reading the description of the accident doesn’t sound like it was the motorcyclists fault - in fact it’s an accident that could have happened in any lane. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/11 "2011-02-24T21:46:11Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > Motorcyclists think that the rules don’t apply to them, generally. They’re smaller and lighter, which makes them more maneuverable. Apparently, this gives you license to weave in and out of traffic, travel in blind spots, and in this case, drive in the bus lane. Here we go again. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/12 "2011-02-24T22:09:31Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > I thought motorcycles were allowed in most HOV lanes (of which a Bus lane is a specific subset)? > > so what’s the fuckin issue if that’s the case? What’s being discussed is an XBL, a lane that’s exclusive to buses weekday mornings from 6:15 until 10. There had been plans for a mixed HOV/Bus lane a couple of years ago but I don’t know what, if anything, came about from them. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/13 "2011-02-24T22:57:34Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > What’s being discussed is an XBL, a lane that’s exclusive to buses weekday mornings from 6:15 until 10. There had been plans for a mixed HOV/Bus lane a couple of years ago but I don’t know what, if anything, came about from them. oh i figured that those bus lanes in the tunnel were closer to HOV types instead of dedicated busways. guess not! ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/14 "2011-02-24T23:04:41Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > He said “generally”. Unwad your panties and read again, ass wipe. Reminds me of an SNL skit a few years ago. A Weekend Update anchor, I think it was Norm MacDonald, unleashed a completely libelous diatribe against Micheal Jackson, outright calling him a pedophile. When he was done, the co-anchor asked Norm if he had forgotten anything. After a perfectly timed pause, Norm said: _Allegedly_. Yeah, one word _can_ make all the difference. _Sometimes_. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/15 "2011-02-24T23:30:11Z")
> [@Spiff](#): > > Reminds me of an SNL skit a few years ago. A Weekend Update anchor, I think it was Norm MacDonald, unleashed a completely libelous diatribe against Micheal Jackson, outright calling him a pedophile. > > When he was done, the co-anchor asked Norm if he had forgotten anything. After a perfectly timed pause, Norm said: _Allegedly_. > > Yeah, one word _can_ make all the difference. > > _Sometimes_. Except allegedly was saying that he hasn’t been proven guilty. Basically a big sarcastic “just kidding”. Generally means ‘as a rule’, ‘usually’, ‘commonly’ etc What Travis said about motorcyclists is not true…as a rule. Unless Travis has some facts to back up his statement, he’s just being an ass. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/16 "2011-02-25T01:39:39Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > He said “generally”. Unwad your panties and read again, ass wipe. Your post is generally retarded. Generally. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/17 "2011-02-25T02:27:09Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > Motorcyclists think that the rules don’t apply to them, generally. They’re smaller and lighter, which makes them more maneuverable. Apparently, this gives you license to weave in and out of traffic, travel in blind spots, and in this case, drive in the bus lane. Yep that’s why I ride a motorcycle and all cagers hate motorcyclists and want to hit us and think we are all hells angels. Generally, get stuffed of course we weave in and out of traffic etc it is one of the upsides to riding a bike. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/18 "2011-02-25T05:04:25Z")
Congratulations, you’re a Darwin Award waiting to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/19 "2011-02-25T05:28:31Z")
Here in South Korea, both buses and taxis have a nifty sign for the passengers exiting the vehicle to be aware of motorcycles and scooters illegally (and stupidly) passing between the vehicle and the curb. Back in 2005, in Bucheon, I opened the taxi door to exit (there were just a few inches between the taxi and the curb, too) and one of those moron scooter drivers drove into the door. Luckily for him, he’d slowed down enough that he didn’t too a whole lot of damage. I left as he and the taxi driver started fighting over it. Don’t worry, I paid the taxi driver before I opened the door. But, then, motorcycle and scooter drivers here love to drive on crowded sidewalks, too. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/20 "2011-02-25T12:04:25Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > Reading the description of the accident doesn’t sound like it was the motorcyclists fault - in fact it’s an accident that could have happened in any lane. Yeeaaaahhhh, except this lane wasn’t supposed to have motorcycles in it at all. Your typical commuter motorcycle in NYC, as experienced by me, on my daily commute from Queens through Westchester, which covers a huge effing chunk of the City, splits lanes. The dotted one. Now, this is typically when traffic is slowed slightly, from the normal average of 70+ MPH to, say, 40 MPH. But sometimes it’s just because they feel like doing a hundred in traffic. This is not infrequent, and it’s not the same people doing it all the time. (In fact, it rarely is for more than a month. I have made my own conclusions as to why.) There are many responsible cyclists. There are also many irresponsible cyclists. This guy was one of them, as far as I can tell. Stay the hell out the bus lane. The bus driver may not see you. Hell, he rarely sees me and I’m in a rollin cage. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452.md?page=2)