# 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:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/41 "2011-02-28T13:13:15Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I’m confused. Which rules don’t look after your safety? > There are rules against tailgating, open doors without looking, cutting people off etc. > Surely those are all designed for the safety of all road users. Perhaps the problem is that the rules don’t have enough teeth to make people follow them? Not that I’m trying to defend the idea that, if something doesn’t make you perfectly safe, you might as well ignore it. I just can’t help offering possible explanations. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/42 "2011-02-28T14:40:28Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Perhaps the problem is that the rules don’t have enough teeth to make people follow them? > > Not that I’m trying to defend the idea that, if something doesn’t make you perfectly safe, you might as well ignore it. I just can’t help offering possible explanations. There is perhaps an element of the “arms race” about it. The bad and inconsiderate behaviour on both sides drive bad and inconsiderate behaviour on both sides and so on and so on. It only stops when people get hurt or when the law steps in to punish. And I think you are right, the rules lack teeth. ---
**Author:** ![Phatzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@Phatzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phatzo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/43 "2011-02-28T20:47:42Z")
I just love the ignorance shown to motorcyclists, I dont know about your town but in all of my country bus lanes can be used for motorcycles. This is done to ease traffic congestion and to encourage people to use their motorcycles. I have ridden to work everyday for the last 26 years and the majority of unskilled behavior on the road comes from cars. Not to mention the fact that motorcyclists are usually one of the better trained road users and actually have studied some roadcraft and advanced riding courses. Your ignorance annoys me and makes me glad you take a bus. I hope you were very inconvenienced. ---
**Author:** ![Phatzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@Phatzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phatzo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/44 "2011-02-28T20:49:23Z")
> [@Miltonyz](#): > > Motorcyclists don’t generally get killed because of their mistakes. The average motorcycle rider is hyper aware of his surroundings because people in cars can’t be bothered to pay attention. > [http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Most-Common-and-Serious-Causes-of-Motorcycle-Accidents&id=3450223](http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Most-Common-and-Serious-Causes-of-Motorcycle-Accidents&id=3450223) > > [Motorcycle safety - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_safety) good post cheers ---
**Author:** ![Phatzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@Phatzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phatzo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/45 "2011-02-28T21:09:38Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > There is perhaps an element of the "arms , the rules lack teeth. would that be the rule that says motorcyclists CAN use a bus lane? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/46 "2011-02-28T21:10:33Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > Yes I do filter through traffic and have done for many many years with two close calls that were my fault. I’m assuming from your profile that you’re in Australia, where lane splitting/filtering is legal. Not so in the United States, with the exception of the state of California. ---
**Author:** ![Phatzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@Phatzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phatzo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/47 "2011-02-28T21:23:13Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’m assuming from your profile that you’re in Australia, where lane splitting/filtering is legal. Not so in the United States, with the exception of the state of California. I thought sisu would be Australian because he writes like an educated motorcyclist, something we do well here because our motorcyclists are well educated and trained. You still get idiots but thats universal. Most of the complaints here are from drivers who lack good situational awareness and in my view probably shouldn’t be on the road if they are unaware at all times what is going on around them 360\*, you dont have to have eyes in the back of your head but you need to form a picture of your surroundings in your head and update it very regularly. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/48 "2011-03-01T04:22:18Z")
> [@Phatzo](#): > > I thought sisu would be Australian because he writes like an educated motorcyclist, something we do well here because our motorcyclists are well educated and trained. You still get idiots but thats universal. Most of the complaints here are from drivers who lack good situational awareness and in my view probably shouldn’t be on the road if they are unaware at all times what is going on around them 360\*, you dont have to have eyes in the back of your head but you need to form a picture of your surroundings in your head and update it very regularly. Cheers mate, I am from Australia and yes we do a pretty good job at keeping the toll down. Most accidents are single vehicle, i.e. too quick around a corner on your new suzkwakacati super bike or sunny day heroes with their new Big Johnsons [Harleys]. I will always [when safe] filter to the front of traffic, can you imagine a rear ender on a bike? Seen it happen and now I will NEVER wait in traffic between cars. I will not use a bike lane etc as it is not even safe for pushbikes to use with doors being opened etc. Situational awareness is critical to bike safety. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/49 "2011-03-01T04:23:20Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > There is perhaps an element of the “arms race” about it. The bad and inconsiderate behaviour on both sides drive bad and inconsiderate behaviour on both sides and so on and so on. It only stops when people get hurt or when the law steps in to punish. > And I think you are right, the rules lack teeth. um inconsiderate? I don’t hold cars up on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/50 "2011-03-01T11:10:44Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > um inconsiderate? I don’t hold cars up on the road. Interesting that you see “being held up” as the most important example of being inconsiderate. That is a very telling thing to say. I would put that much further down the list. You are acting inconsiderately when you weave in and out of cars. It makes it very difficult for other road users to keep track of you. You are small and hard to see. You fit in blind spots and can change direction and speed very quickly. You admit you do it for your benefit not the car drivers. That is pretty much the definition of “inconsiderate”. You expect greater attention from others at no cost to you. You want car drivers to do everything possible to make it safe for you and yet you want to be able to continue riding however you like. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452/51 "2011-03-01T11:14:55Z")
> [@Phatzo](#): > > Most of the complaints here are from drivers who lack good situational awareness and in my view probably shouldn’t be on the road if they are unaware at all times what is going on around them 360\*, you dont have to have eyes in the back of your head but you need to form a picture of your surroundings in your head and update it very regularly. My situational awareness is excellent and even I find it difficult to keep track of motorcycles weaving through traffic. Tell me, do you ever see any behaviours from motorcyclists that you consider unwise, unsafe or inconsiderate? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-driver-they-are-called-bus-lanes-for-a-reason/572452.md?page=2)