Bus Lanes

London's bus routes help to keep public transport in the capital flowing - and since the start of 2009, powered two-wheelers (PTW) have been allowed to cruise through the city's streets in the red route bus lanes, too.

Allowing motorcycles of all sizes to access these car-free lanes has been a tremendous boost to PTW use in London. The policy, which runs through to July when a decision will be made on whether or not to make it a permanent feature of the capital's transport network, has helped riders feel safer and more secure.

And now riders are being urged to play their part to ensure this policy is extended beyond the July deadline by adhering to a "code of conduct" over bus lane use. The code, drawn up in conjunction with the Motor Cycle Industry Association, the Police and TfL, urges PTW riders to:

• Take extra care when using bus lanes: we share them with buses.
• Be aware of pedestrians walking through traffic queues and at bus stops.
• Look out for pedal cycles and give them a wide berth.
• Pass cyclists on the offside only - never on the inside.
• Always assume cyclists cannot hear or see you behind them.
• Do not use excessive speed when using bus lanes or overtaking cyclists.
• Do not overtake other motorcyclists.
• Watch out for other vehicles at junctions and side roads.
• Take extra care when riding alongside congested pavement areas.

The MCI says: "We are ambassadors for motorcycling. Riding in a bus lane is a privilege that needs to be respected."
But riders beware: access to bus lanes is only permissible on the main red routes. However, this is not allowed in some boroughs so watch out for the signage which will clearly states whether you can ride in these lanes or not.

It's spring: the weather's improving, the evenings are lighter and suddenly the idea of riding to work on your scooter or moped makes perfect sense.

But after you've dusted down your PTW from its winter storage, it's vital you run some checks to make sure it's still in good working order - and keep doing them every week, to make sure your bike stays in A1 condition.

First, check your tyres. They're your only contact with the road, so if they are faulty, it will inevitably lead to problems. Worn tyres are more likely to lose grip, especially in the wet but even in dry conditions, and can skid under emergency braking. Check the tread depth every week; it should not be below one millimetre - that's the legal minimum. And give the tyre walls a once-over for cracks, tears or any bulges.

Bulges on the tyre wall can lead to blow-outs - a catastrophe for a PTW rider. Your brakes are vital, too. Check your brake fluid levels and have a garage inspect the brake pads. Remember to do this every few thousand miles.

Lights, mirrors and the windshield, if you have one, should all be in working order and clean from dirt. Check for cracks that may have been caused by stones from the road - a small fissure can end up shattering a windshield or cracking a lens.

Top up your oil at regular intervals; checking the oil level takes only a moment, and PTWs use so little oil it won't cost much to keep the reservoir topped up.
Finally, regular cleaning not only keeps your bike looking great, it also means you're up close to it more often, possibly helping you to spot potential problems before they develop into major mechanical faults.

ScooterSafe-London has been developed as part of the capital's BikeSafe project to improve the skills of moped and scooter riders.

Delivered by experienced Metropolitan Police motorcycle traffic patrol officers, the one-day courses give participants tips and hints to improve their riding. Everyone has their style and ability assessed and the officers deliver feedback which the rider can take on to an authorised trainer if they are planning to do a Driving Standards Agency test - or simply use it to build on existing skills if they are more experienced.

ScooterSafe-London is open to all riders of vehicles up to 250cc. All you need is a CBT pass certificate, a relevant licence, insurance and a roadworthy PTW. Training costs £45 a day, including lunch, and for that you'll take away bags of safer riding tips that will keep you out of harm's way on the city's busy roads. See www.scootersafe-london.co.uk for more details.

Do you ride to work or ever hop on your PTW during the working day to complete your duties? Want to improve your riding skills in the company of workmates who do likewise? Then why not ask your employer to host a training day at your workplace? It's a unique spend-to-save concept where the time and money spent by your company to improve your riding skills is more than paid back by reducing the risk of losing a key member of staff to injuries caused by a bike crash. Setting a course up will also show that you've got a caring employer. Contact ScooterSafe-London on 0845 230 1894 for details.

Lambeth Council is offering a free ScooterSafe or BikeSafe day to any rider who lives, works or studies in Lambeth. For more details, please contact Norma Fender on nfender@lambeth.gov.uk.

Redbridge Council have free BikeSafe or ScooterSafe places for anybody that lives, works or studies in the Borough. For further details please contact Vicky Blackburn on 020 8708 3692 or email vicky.blackburn@redbridge.co.uk.

One of the pleasures of riding a PTW is the freedom it gives you to go anywhere, anytime.

But while there's no more waiting around for buses and trains, you still have to contend with the problem of traffic congestion slowing up your journey.

And as soon as the brake lights of vehicles in front of you start to signal a queue of traffic ahead, you know your journey will take longer than you thought. But should you take advantage of your PTW's slim frame and manoeuvrability to glide past stationary or slow-moving traffic?

This practice, known as filtering, is legal, although practising it is fraught with potential dangers. So much so that police motorbike officers on the Bikesafe-London courses deliver a structured 20-minute lecture just on this practice.

What is important to remember is that filtering is an overtaking movement, albeit at a slow speed. Therefore, as with all overtaking, it needs to be approached with considerable care. Never filter where the space between traffic lanes is restricted, and never do it at speed: a good rule of thumb is to go no more than 10mph faster than the cars stuck in the traffic queue - so if they are not moving, you know how fast you should be going!

Watch carefully for cars switching lanes: drivers in congestion often drive impatiently and cross to another lane if they think it is moving quicker, but they'll rarely check for bikes while they are doing it.

Watch out for heads, too: drivers will often thrust themselves out of the window to get a better view of the scene ahead. Passing too close could lead to problems.

Above all: take care and take your time. You're not in a rush to crash.