Bus lane cameras and bikes - watch out

[mark_in_manchester]

I just got nicked by a new bus-lane camera in Manchester...didn't know these existed. The fact I was obstructing no-one is clearly incidental. Watch out - these things cost 30 quid rising to 60 for late payment - fine was payable to local authority. There's no flash - numberpate recongition seems to work from a small CCTV camera mounted on a streetlamp, not in a yellow 'Gatso' box.

Mark, Manchester, UK

[Stuart]

Sorry to hear that Mark. Last time I travelled past Manchester I too got nicked by a roadworks camera on the Motorway. 57 in a 50 zone. 3 points

[buckles]

I just got nicked by a new bus-lane camera in Manchester...didn't know these existed. The fact I was obstructing no-one is clearly incidental. Watch out - these things cost 30 quid rising to 60 for late payment - fine was payable to local authority. There's no flash - numberpate recongition seems to work from a small CCTV camera mounted on a streetlamp, not in a yellow 'Gatso' box.

Mark, Manchester, UK

I thought that the government had let local councils decide weather bikes could use bus lanes,take it you can't in manchester or were you in a car? most camera's are in the buses too. We don't have vary many bus lanes in Rotherham but the ones in Sheffield are open to bikes, I thought most major city's were going the same way .

[mark_in_manchester]

I was on a bike...even the council cashier was surprised that they charged bikes. I'm trying to hang onto my principles from my socialist youth and view it as a 30 quid donation to the public purse, but I'm approaching 40 and my gut reaction suggests a Telegraph subscription is not so far away (well, better that than the Mail, I guess...)

M.

[Diesel Dave]

Even after Mayor Boris' announcement that London bikers can use the bus lanes it's not happening.

So after a 4 year study, then being buried by red Ken 'cos he didn't like the results, then being resurrected and promoted, it only covers the city of London (which is tiny BTW) it's still up to the local councils to implement.

So give it another 4 years and then they will claim the original studies are out of date and they will never open the bus lanes - ever.

OTOH there are distinct patterns to the speed camera activities and I suspect that they are active only at non-peak times as I do see 70+ activity in 30 zones but only in the direction of getting folks to and from their employment.

I'll get off me soap box now.

[Sphere]

Speedcams in Holland dressed up as presents for Sinterklaas

[smokyjoe]

Saw a car on the highway yesterday that had that clear stuff sprayed (as sold on the 'net) on the back plate that is supposed to thwart the speedcams- the guy did a sloppy job and sprayed the plate while it was on the car so it was very noticeable. I couldn't believe how well it worked! The plate looked like a bright blur when the sun shone on it and it would probably pretty much obscure the image on the camera. I don't know how effective it would be if it was dirty, but it seemed to work well with my eyes. The plate was normally reflective white with reflective red numbers, with the coating the whole thing seemed to reflect white when viewed from an angle. Dunno how it works but it seemed to work good. Of course they'll pass another law against using it and have a fine for that.

[Diesel Dave]

We have a 'catch all' offence in the UK that's used for all this sort of stuff.

"Attempting to pervert the course of justice"

Basically means if you do anything to avoid getting caught for an offence - it's an offence!