Newbie in the UK

Hi everyone here,

I've been trying to find a FAQ for this newsgroup, but the one I found
didn't answer my questions.
As I'm going to be in the UK (London area) for the next two months, I
decided to come with my bike because there is no way I'll take the tube.
Also I have friends living in Coventry, so I'll pay them a visit, there
are also nice rides I'm sure, etc.
It's kind of new to me to ride here, I used to live in London but only
had a scooter then - also it's quite a while so things may have changed.
So I've got many questions regarding riding around and also things like
bike-etiquette if there is such a thing.
I live in Paris, and you may know that things are changing in France
because the government decided to reduce the amount of people being
killed on the road. So they have a new policy which is simple:
repression. Many Speed cameras have been installed all around the
country, and they flash you if you're above the limit by a few km/h. It
would be fine if those were mainly used in dangerous places - but most
of them are just here to make money. The other target of the repressive
policy is bikes: we're portrayed as thieves, outlaws, dangerous, etc.
Even guys like me riding BMWs... (R1100R-SE if you ask!)

I'll post my questions as a list, feel free to answer to some of them or
to add more advice!
- Speed limit is 70Mph on motorways, I stuck to that (ok, 75Mph...), but
many cars were going faster. I seemed to remember though that people
here were respecting speed limits. Wrong? Also a lot of cars are stuck
in the right lane (the fast one), and a lot in the slow lane: the middle
lane is therefore empty: can I use it? Let me rephrase it: is it
tolerated?
- In busy traffic, when all lanes are full and slow, can I overtake
between lanes? It's forbidden in France, but officialy tolerated in the
Paris surroundings (as the circular road is always blocked at any time
of day). Usually, drivers even give you space to do so - and the ones
who don't often end up with a broken wing miror (French roads are a wild
jungle...)
- Central London has a charge, but it doesn't apply to bikes apparently.
I noticed that there are much more bikes (and scooters) around than a
few years ago, now parking is difficult. From what I remember, one
cannot park on the pavement but I have noticed that some do anyway and
hide their registration plate (some remove it!) not to get fined I
suppose. Is it a legal loophole? I have a French plate, can the parking
guys find me abroad?
- Whilst on inner town riding: it seems that drivers don't really give a
f**k about bikes: rare are the drivers moving to give you space. It will
probably evolve other time as more and more two-wheels are being used.
- Bus lanes: no-go? tolerated? Paris is enforcing a no-bikes-in-bus-lane
strong policy... expensive.
- Bikers in France are always greeting each other on the road (V sign
with the left hand), here people don't do that? I realised that it would
imply doing it with the right hand, which is problematic and dangerous!
And mind you, that doesn't happen in Paris either (selfishness of
Parisians, or too many bikes...)

I'm probably forgetting many questions, but any advice is welcome!

Grand V à tous! (cheers to everyone!).

Pierre

 

(Pierre) wrote in message

Around 80-85mph is ok; as long as you're not going a lot faster than any
other vehicles.

Passing on the left is frowned upon, but it's often done. Best not to
do it in front of the police unless the traffic is really heavy.

I think this runs the risk of 'driving without due care'. Many bikes do
it all the time, even at speed though. Again, it's probably ok... as
long as you aren't spotted doing it.

With a French plate you're fine. Seriously.

With a bit of luck if you get stopped by the police they won't speak any
French. Try to speak French to them slowly. If this fails speak English
badly. Really badly "Excuse me I do not understand" etc. etc. With a
bit of luck they'll get pissed off and let you go.

Some drivers don't give a ****. others do.

Depends on where. Some parts of the UK allow bikes in the bus lanes;
the road signs will let you know.

I don't think London does though.

Signal like in France, two fingers but pointing upwards with the palm of
your hand towards you. It means something like "Two wheels will
overcome".

 

On the way back from Champs after that curry night with [Clique Warning]
you, Snowy, that other guy and Thingy, me and Steve had a lovely ride back
to Lunnun. On the way we were enthusiastically tackling the M4 when I
noticed a weird sight in my mirrors. Steve didn't understand why I suddenly
started riding at legal speeds but luckily Steve did the same. After a few
miles of tailing the police car pulled passed and went on its way. I still
to this day don't know how I managed to see this one but it's one in the eye
for Owen and a blow for my license's fight against injustice, and that's
what's important.

....and this isn't done anymore anyway. For some reason that Ken alone knows,
presumably shoving more people onto public transport, wardens can grab a
copper and remove the bag and issue a ticket under their supervision. I
don't know the intricacies of the procedure but they've really clamped down
(PI) on off-road parking. Which is, frankly, fucking irritating. Or would
be if I didn't have a secure park area of my own.

 

Most drivers are numbskulls and hog the outside lane. If that lane is
going slower than the central lane then you can go past them perfectly
legally.

It is also possible to "undertake" in the nearside or central lane but
you will need to take care as to how you perform this manouevre. Not
every policeman will take kindly to what he may see as a bike passing
from lane to lane in order to make progress.

A friendly poster called JP may pop up to give some clear legal advice
on this point.

Well perhaps not at Peripherique speeds! You can legally filter between
lanes or down the outside of a single carriageway. However you need to
do it carefully and not too quickly or else Mr Policeman may not like
what he sees. You should also be aware that many drivers are not very
bike aware and can make sudden moves that place you in danger. Also if
you are filtering and involved in an accident it is likely you will be
judged to be partly to blame for the accident if you make an insurance
claim.

This link may help

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/travel/features/motorcycling/bike_map.shtml

Don't bother parking on the pavement. Our parking wardens are now very
efficient at ticketing bikes parked like this even if you cover the
registration plate.

Don't know whether the uk computers link to the French ones for reg
plates.

Be very careful in London. There is a big campaign to install lots of
bus lane cameras but fixed by the roadside and on the buses. I think the
fine is now £100 and they do issue them.

http://www.transportforlondon.gov.uk/streets/blec_london_needs_buses.shtml

There are two trial areas in London where bikes can share the bus lanes
- the A41 in North London, the A13 in East London and the A23 in South
London.

http://www.transportforlondon.gov.uk/streets/motorcycle-buslane-study.shtml

People do nod at each other or may do a small wave. It all depends on
the conditions.