My thoughts on the matter:
1. Some motorbikes can accelerate faster than cars, so why would they need to use a facility designed for slower moving bicycles?. They should easily be able to match the traffic flow.
2. It simply encourages others. Several times I have been unable to get into the ASL due to it being blocked by four or five motorbikes.
3.Whoof - had a similar experience. Was sitting in centre of ASL intending to turn right. Biker on large machine enters the ASL behind me, moves over to my
left hand side and revs engine loudly as if to intimidate me. I asked him which direction he was turning as he was not indicating, but got ignored. Lights change, I pull out to turn right and the ****** cuts me up by executing a right hand turn from my left hand side
I suspect many motorcyclists filter and enter the ASL simply because it's convenient. I have witnessed some barge into the ASL, often positioning themselves badly then race each other to the next red light
. I have also heard the safety argument. My counter-argument to it is that your average motorbike is that something like a 1500cc machine capable of being ridden at 100mph on motorways (have seen this too) is far, far more likely to be involved in an accident at speed. Some motorcyclists clearly aren't bothered by this, but suddenly become 'concerned' about safety when confronted with a line of stationary traffic so that they feel it necessary to encroach into the cycling facility
.
One annoying 'habit' that some motorcyclists have is that assuming they are allowed into the ASL, they seem to think that the cycle lane leading into it is also fair game. One could call this 'habit creep'. You break one rule and then breaking others seems OK as some folk have a tendency to justify their actions in this manner. I assume that some cyclists here have been in this situation: You are riding in the cycle lane and up ahead is a jam. No problem as the lane will allow you to enter the ASL on the left. Just as you get near the first car in the line - Whoosh! - some nut on a motorbike cuts into the lane so that they can access the ASL
.
Of course, not all motorcyclists behave this way. But I do feel that the motorcycling community should respect the cycle facilities more. They are, after all, not really for motorbikes which I look on as a bit like cars minus two wheels. They are fast, noisy, have an internal combustion engine and pollute. My bike isn't allowed on motorways, so what's the issue with respecting a little road space reserved for cyclists?.