I Got A Fine In The Post!

[@MrLittledirector]

A few months ago, I rode through a bus gate in Southampton city centre. Id riden down that road many times before, and wasnt aware of the new bus gate, so wasnt paying attention to the new sign. Luckily, I received a warning notice in the mail instead of a fine. They had implemented a six-month grace period after installing the bus gate which i thought was good of the council.

[@antisocialmotorist6909]

Got a Fine for driving in a bus lane to get to a drop off point and then got another fine from getting out of said drop off point back to the main road not inside the bus lane. But because i drove "in" the bus lane when i should have driven "across" the bus lane to access the delivery i got a double fine. Better yet when i went to pay said fine and did all the processing for it with the council, i got a further double fine for not paying the fine. Turns out i was not allowed to pay both tickets at the same time, i had to do both tickets in different payments. They then kept the original payments and forced me to pay the second set of payments or would send the bailiffs after me for the money. £400 to the local council to make a drop off.

[@spicy110]

Wow! I got off lucky compared to that!

[@antisocialmotorist6909]

@@spicy110 Yes, and just like you i do not go near my local anymore i would just go somewhere else and then order it online from a big box store. Council just wants more money, and they have made it so clear by the scummy practices they are doing by making it difficult if you do make a mistake, or in my case i should have driven on the main road, stopped indicated then pulled into the zone, rather than like you normally would do just pull into the lane for 2 seconds to then turn so the main road traffic can continue. Would not let me off.

[@ConfusedRaccoon]

Isn't that outright theft?

[@steveclark..]

​@@spicy110Are you aware of this whole great reset agenda/agenda 2030 plan? Yes, all council's are in on this plan, removing all our freedoms and choices basically.

[@233kosta]

At this point councils have become too irresponsible with these powers. They need to be taken away.

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

Riding a motorcycle seems crazy in the U.K. with vehicles parked in the roadway. Riding in the middle of the lane. And in Michigan motorcycles are allowed to use bus and hover lanes.

[@ConfusedRaccoon]

UK is catching up with regards to bikes in bus lanes all the time. There's estimated 2000 miles of bus lanes in the UK total, and motorcycles are allowed in 20-30% of them, but only within certain times. In most cases. As it's down to local councils to decide, there's about 9 or something miles that bikes can use at any time. There was a video about it I saw a few weeks ago. But take this with a handful of salt, it's been a minute and I can't remember exact numbers.

[@MotoHowi]

@@ConfusedRaccoon Exact numbers are closer to 600 miles with 50%. MAG did a report on it that explains it all. wiki.mag-uk.org/images/6/65/Bus_Lane_Stocktake_2022.pdf

[@1927deano]

It really is disgusting how government bodies don’t do something to enforce fair measures for people with disabilities for sorting out issues. There’s 0 measures for most companies to support those with issues who can’t do things specifically people with dyslexia, autism, other “hidden disabilities” etc. There should definitely be a time measure involved with things like bus gates, parking etc (thats where i was stung) since it’s an easy mistake to make and when you realise you instantly rectify it. As a road user your primary focus is on any potential hazards that could be forming, vehicles pedestrians etc not a bit of writing and a line, that’s secondary to safety. If they had a time element to allow for the correction of mistakes before fining it would be a much better system for the people (not the money grabbing sods…). I was fined £200 for going into a car park, unloading my passengers who had kids in car seats, going to the machine as they did that to find them all broken, load them all back in and leave because there was nothing i could do. Tried to contest it but that did bugger all, 10 minutes i spent trying to pay for parking before leaving including getting kids in and out.

[@maisy9067]

Feel bad...Got caught for same offence last month, riding through a bus gate, but got a 6 month warning for first offence (Portland terrace, Southampton) Solution is to allow motorcycles in all bus lanes / gates

[@iamjames8200]

@@maisy9067 Solution is not to go into the bus gate.

[@garnet4846]

​@@iamjames8200lick those boots.

[@graysonhall2855]

I'm not sure what the exact rules are in Portsmouth but here in Norwich the only vehicles which are allowed to use bus lanes/gates during operating hours are buses, bicycles, approved rented electric scooters and taxis. Hopefully councils will take on some recent advice from the DfT and start allowing motorcycles to use certain/all bus lanes and bus gates.

[@The_RC_Guru]

I’m in the USA and feel your frustration. I’m the kinda guy to also say well fine I don’t need to got to the whole area or shops every again then.

[@dezmondwhitney1208]

I have had one fine years ago. I do not any longer know the appeals procedure so I am unable to offer a solution. You are clearly 'switched on' about motoring and I hope that you continue to highlight these matters for all of us. Thanks.

[@steve00alt70]

I'm suprised nobody has vandalized the cameras. In my town the war against bikers has not started yet.

[@DavidNewmanDr]

There has been a bus gate on Oxford High Street for a long time. I got fined for riding through it. I challenged it saying it stopped me getting to my house from an official motorcycle parking space. When they told me of another route, I paid up. Since then they are planning more bus gates around town - but motorcycles will be exempt, as will be delivery and tradesmens vans. The point is to give priority to buses over German car owners who never use park and ride. They let you pay or appeal by telephone.

[@SlowArosa]

Delivery mopeds dont follow any rules lol

[@curtisss]

When I did some Uber eats for a lil bit I only got one warning for going through a new bus gate because it wasn't clearly labeled yet. Found it quite nice that I got a warning. warning stays on the system for a year and if I did it again within the year it's a £35 fine

[@SKBKER]

Nor do drivers .

[@SlowArosa]

@@SKBKER fair point lol

[@Sethrain]

I hate Grammarly. It is always "correcting" OF to IF and FOR to FIR, while completely ignoring genuine errors

[@andydt82]

The bus gates in Bristol are confusingly inconsistent. Some of them permit motorcycles and others don’t!

[@D_Sharpie]

Also worth pointing out those delivery riders are also parked on an urban clearway, (no stopping at any time) as seen by the double yellow lines going down the kerb…

[@HoHoPlays]

Getting fined from cameras like this and even speed cameras seem insane to me. The only thing we had here in Texas was red light cameras but they outlawed them 5 years ago.

[@yamark02]

We're now some of the most watched and monitored people in the world now outside China. Cameras everywhere.

[@spicy110]

I believe London may be the number one place in the world for the density of cameras.

[@yamark02]

@@spicy110They've done a lot for knife crime in London.

[@yamark02]

@@spicy110 Deterred knife crime.

[@ommanomnom]

Fully agree with you mate. Pretty much every city in England is now a no go zone because you either get stopped on foot by some council sycophant, police, or criminal. Or you just get fined for existing with your own vehicle. Absolute psstake and they wonder why they are all bankrupt when theyve detracted their own citizenry to never go outside.

[@Phil480]

That's ridiculous that you got fined, you realised your error and corrected it, not like you just carried on in the bus zone. I wonder what someone like Black Belt Barrister would say on this subject.

[@robinwells8879]

It’s not about logic. It’s about revenue neutral job creation like most of these government scams. Getting a DBS check is utterly pointless for the most part but it created many jobs in Tony Blair’s constituency at the time. There all job creation scams sold as safety of some kind. 😂

[@Meifesto]

F*ck, I have watched so many Spicy video's that the moment you went to google maps I recognize the point/spot 🤣 And yes, those camera's are only looped on the road, we have lots of those here. :(

[@Awatchandy]

Good point Spicy regarding discrimination. Also rather unfair they added a bus gate right near an established bike parking area, they Should have a sign saying "Motorcyclists dismount" to make it clear what to do.

[@modestasriabovas3977]

Had my driving license for 2 months & already have 4 fines from larger cities. 2 bus lane fines, 1 clean zone (!?!) fine and 1 parking without a permit fine.

[@modestasriabovas3977]

note that I come from a small city where these rules do not exist.

[@HomoKieran]

I've never seen or even heard of a bus gate before but it seems like it's pretty much just a bus lane. Going down that one looks like a particularly easy mistake to make when you don't know the area. Blue signs are easy to miss as they generally tell you what you can do, not give specific restrictions, the road marking is right after a dip in the road, and it's a straight on at a junction and not turning off into the bus lane. Some people might not realise until they're right up on the junction, so what do they expect people to slam on their brakes and indicate left at the last second. I see on street view that before the junction there is a sign saying no through road and it's access to the car park only but again if you don't know the area you don't know which direction that is. Really there should be an obvious restriction sign saying left turns only except for buses and taxis. I see there is also a new road layout sign from July 2023, not sure if that's still there.

[@mjr2567]

Below the no motor vehicles sign, it reads: no vehicles except buses, taxis and for loading. Unless the delivery scooters have their reg. on file with some sort of scheme with the council, I'd assume they will still get sent fines and will have to appeal them. To get on the pavement legally they would have to push but I doubt that happens.

[@tree9401]

A lot of the signage guidance and regs now say that signs that promote changes (new road layout, new traffic islands, etc) on the road are optional in some cases, depending on the physical changes and possible risk presented to road users, in my experience they normally should be up for 6 months and then remove, however a lot get forgotten about and rust off at about 2-3 years or are swallowed by vegetation. Most Councils will dummy running period on changes like new bus gates and the like for an un regulated period of time (normally 3 - 6 month if not major changes), where they issue warning notices instead of fine unless you repeat offend. They also often extend this period if they find problems or challenges to be excessive until they can get it "better" as some designs are never quite make it to being "right/perfect".

[@yamark02]

Also, there's now so many signs in city centres, you can't drive/ride and take them all in or miss them as watching for hazards.

[@thedarkknight1971]

ALSO... As it is all automated, AND the Council KNOW there are dedicated M/c parking there, the 'System' COULD BE adjusted to where it 'Picks up a plate' it checks if that plate is listed as a 'Motorcycle' or 'Moped' and then IGNORE it.... As M/c's & Mopeds OFTEN ARE allowed in Bus lanes... 🤔🤨

[@angrykidplays1587]

It's a bus gate though, I've yet to see one where motorcycles are allowed. Bus lanes are obviously different.

[@thedarkknight1971]

@@angrykidplays1587 It was just a thought, as if you look at the top down view and street view, it is obvious that the council put a M/C parking area there (or at least are fully aware that M/Cs park there (and have done so for decades(?))

[@HippoDrones]

They should allow motorcyccles in bus lanes like they do in Brighton. The system sucks, and no council wants to make it easy to contest fines etc. I got caught on the Dartford Crossing a little while back, you only get 24hrs to pay the crossing charge or you get fined, even if you pay after the 24hr period (because I forgot to pay it when I got home), but before they sent out the letter notifying me of the fine... Grrr

[@BeansOnToast_YT]

I luved this rant, one of your best 😂 I always, always appeal, as the cost of the appeal to them is more than they gain in total revenue even when including the doubling of the invoice.

[@bikersquest]

On two occasions in different areas I got a fine on the new pedestrian zone areas where on weekdays they are normal roads then change on set times or weekends. Each fine was £65 so that stung indeed I've got trauma now lol

[@Psy-Prime]

That’s real bad luck. But you got me thinking about dyslexia - so, pro tip for writing complex things: use AI in voice mode as a dictation and suggestion tool. It sucks for some tasks but its language and speech recognition is top notch. Plays to your strengths as you are very articulate.

[@daveh5625]

Very sad... at some point there needs to be a reset in our government... Dave Arizona everytime I go to Canada I cringe at all the stupid baby shit rules....

[@robinwells8879]

Did the same sort of thing in Cambridge also as a result of inexperience. I paid but I have never returned to my county town. It's obvious that I am not wanted there so it would be rude to visit any of the businesses.😂. If that disappoints the businesses then they should challenge their council. Incidentally MAG is try to get support for unifying mc access to bus lanes which is entirely piecemeal around the country currently.

[@leeswire1965]

There’s a taxi lane, I think the food delivery bikes are coming in through that. I got a couple of warnings (I like the Chinese food shop a few doors along from McDonald’s). Now they’re straight to fining.

[@Benji_69]

That Chinese store is the best!

[@yamark02]

Seems many councils doing the same. They want people on busses, walking or cycling. (what will they tax then?). Leeds council are closing many roads to traffic or making it extremely difficult to get around. I used to know the city like the back of my hand, but now bus gates, buss lanes, no entries, no right turns, no left turns. There's so many different signs, its hard to drive and take them all in. So, in one year the council made £1.2 million from bus lane cameras (so are putting 24 more in) and £440,000 from new bus gates between just July and December last year.

[@TobyStatusOnline]

Councils take advantage. I thought I may have driven through the bristol low emissions zone accidentaly, but wasnt sure. I went online to check to see if i needed to pay, but there is no checker. Only the option to pay. I didnt pay, and then later i got a fine. So i then paid it. To difficult to complain that I tried to check and there was no way to do so. /grumble

[@mashm6866]

Same happened to me three years ago in Bradford. Result, never been into Bradford since. Not spent a penny there, and it's my nearest town.. so we'll done Bradford Labour council. Your loss.

[@paulbudford]

I got a warning when they first changed it. But then they didn't have the camera sign on the signpost.

[@AndrewWilsonOz]

Yes. I removed Gramali, when it keep messing up on comma's. It does not understand the Oxford Comma and, sentence structure. I had to correct it more, than it corrected me!

[@Jamie-fq2gh]

That’s why people are going to want them 15 minute city’s so they are not scared to go out 🤭

[@ciaronclaxton9354]

go through the car park behind the MacDonalds come out on road between subway and the shop opposite :) Edit: Charlotte st

[@BikeParkLane]

Just cause twice as much damage to council property to recoup the loss in satisfaction tokens

[@Anthony-wx6ld]

Remember where the money the council use comes from … it is not their own money

[@BikeParkLane]

@Anthony-wx6ld shouldn't try and fine the citizens for bs like this then

[@Anthony-wx6ld]

@@BikeParkLane I wholeheartedly agree with you .. I’m merely saying it is not their money paying for the damage, it is the tax payer footing the bill not the councillors

[@HomerSparkle]

Councils obviously hate local businesses, and want them to all go bankrupt due to lack of customers, unless those customers are kids, grannies or unemployed (who typically don't have any money). We have the same problem in my town, and my nearest city. I'd imagine it's the same in most places now. Anyone with the audacity to own their own transportation is treated like scum. Then local businesses complain that everyone uses Amazon. It's not the prices, it's the parking. Local councils seem to have done everything in their power to discourage people from going shopping. This is also why the few people who still go to bricks and mortar shops use out of town retail parks, and avoid the high street like the plague. The retail parks have actual, you know, parking. They also tend to be accessible without navigating an endless maze of moronic one way systems and the usual bizarre obstacle courses the council blocks drivers out with. I remember one town I visited for the first time, where I ended up literally having to just abandon my bike and walk around until I found a taxi driver, so I could ask him how the hell I was supposed to escape the maze I was trapped in. I could literally see the bridge I need to cross, but as far as I could tell there was no (legal) way for me to get to it. Turns out that the only (legal) route involved essentially driving about 2 miles out of town, doing a 180, then coming back on another lane. I decided to sod that and just walked my bike onto the bridge, which took about 15 seconds. The really maddening thing is that the original road layouts in most towns actually worked fine. I was in later years that the councils screwed things up with their hair-brained schemes, none of which ever seem to have any actually useful objective, unless that objective is making drivers' lives a misery.

[@anthonywise6161]

Hi spicy we have a small bike shop in bognor if you like free mot feel free to message us as its a way we can help the channel don't want any advertising.. thanks Ant

[@stoatsngroatsuk5012]

Well done mr A wise, I’ve been to you, and that is a great offer, all the best to you and your guys there! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@toqirdar]

If you want to appeal, email or write to them. Or as they said, contact cab. If you want to pay the fine, that’s your prerogative. If you are dyslexic, could have used that to your advantage. But you couldn’t be bothered because you “didn’t have the time”.

[@ALCLCFVIS]

got a fine during last christmas deliveries, over 105mph; told them it was impossible, because everyone knows electric bikes don't go......didn't work

[@97antiv]

the delivery drivers 100% are driving on the pavement, they do it in my town

[@TobyStatusOnline]

How do you hook up a microphone in your helmet, into the camera audio mr spicy?

[@spicy110]

It's separate, I use an audio recorder and sync in the edit. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6iqnJmAg7Z_fc0si=er2XYpHC34P4PLc7

[@Anthony-wx6ld]

I refuse to go into Manchester City centre because the council have messed up the roads .. instead I’ll drive to York or Liverpool

[@davet2555]

I'd consider making a formal complaint that their process is discriminatory and take it all the way to the ombudsman - will require writing though

[@howardyarnold3133]

Thats why a lot of the Councils are insolvant / bankrupt. Now its tax everyone as much as poss, to recover losess

[@reeseburns3552]

To be fair, if there are signs and road markings, then I'm not sure what else they could have done to indicate that the road is a certain way. "new road layout ahead" signs, in my experience, aren't even super useful since they either don't get put up, or are left up long after the road has been changed (Do I really need to know 2 years after the fact?). Plus, at the risk of being that guy, they shouldn't really need to tell you that something is different, since we should be reading signs and road markings anyway, even if most people don't. I also don't think those delivery scooters did something to avoid getting caught, I just don't think they care. I have a theory (although I have no numbers to back this up) that people who ride/drive for their jobs are usually the worst drivers because of the nature of their jobs. Except people who need separate licences for their jobs, like lorry drivers, who usually have more training than the usual driver, unlike delivery riders who usually have less training than your average rider. Granted, every driver is an individual, so this isn't an absolute thing, but you can't really deny that these jobs encourage dangerous and/or reckless driving/riding, even if only implicitly. I will say though, it's nice to hear more people pointing out these ableist things within our society. In my experience, people who aren't disabled don't ever think about these things. Sure, you could say that you can use some sort of speech-to-text program to write that email, but should you have to do all that? Most of my family are disabled, including me, with both visible and invisible disabilities so i could go on forever about this, but to some extent, it's a cultural problem. How do you even fight ableism like this if most people don't even know it exists?

[@yamark02]

Thing is, as in Leeds, there's now so many signs/restrictions its difficult to drive/ride and take them all in. Also you miss them if say concentrating on finding a business you're going to. Hence the council raising a fortune in fines. I know small business people who now turn down jobs if in the centre, they've made it so difficult/unpleasant to go in. Many areas are being pedestrianised, they want people to use a park and ride out of the city. Who wants to do that if only needing to go into the city for a short space of time.

[@techtinkerin]

It's just a money grab plain and simple. There's one if these near me, a 40 meter long bus lane that if you ever drive down with no consequences they basically rob you. 😂

[@bigjoe3013]

Perhaps they get off and walk the mopeds to that area? It doesn't look that far.

[@thedarkknight1971]

QUESTION.... ARE the 'Deliveroo' riders stopping at that point, and then 'Walking' their bikes/scoots on the path to the bike park and then parking up? 🤔 IF so, I'm guessing the camera would STILL pick up their plates... 🤨 😎🇬🇧

[@richardcurtis114]

Removable number plates is the answer

[@thedarkknight1971]

@@richardcurtis114 Or, the, 'flip up' type number plate holders 😏😉🤣🤣🤣

[@speedingbeast5976]

I go round the corner to arundel street and go where the cycle parking is, by the old u need us shop

[@SloboloboVFR]

I've seen information that warns against paying fines as its an admission of fault. Then others that say pay first then challenge it. They don't make it simple to appeal to make people just pay up faster.

[@toqirdar]

😮

[@richardcurtis114]

Well we have a new bus lane in Reading near Suttons industrial park on the London road. Biggest balls up in Christendom. RBC for you.. . Quess what no bikes allowed. Everywhere else no problem....

[@233kosta]

Remind me again why aren't bikes universally allowed in bus lanes & through bus gates?

[@SupermotoZach]

Hold on a second. They are allowing cycles through that bus lane, motorbikes are the same size don't take up much more room or convenience.

[@fenrir7969]

As a bus driver, I'd rather see motorcycles using bus lanes than cyclists, as motorcyclists can at least do normal road speeds and understand Highway Code, cyclists are a bloody menace!

[@MotoHowi]

There's no way for them to catch cycles anyway

[@JustmeandB]

Maybe the delivery bikes have business permits to park there… but how they get there is confusing

[@educaracas726]

Who can assure those bikes won't get a fine in the post?

[@spicy110]

Because they are there daily.

[@educaracas726]

@@spicy110 Then maybe they block the view of the license plate. Cameras don't complaint.

[@gcanaday1]

*GHEY*!!!! Most uncool.

[@connor5290]

What gear are you currently wearing?

[@PJGrant85]

propley from the old tricorn car park

[@lordstevewilson1331]

Could you not get around that by walking it through pavement?

[@theadventuresofbellatheenf4627]

Put a deliver roo box on your bike spicy

[@doggeggs3728]

Ohh no I went there Saturday....how long did your fine take to comethrough?

[@spicy110]

About 10 days

[@doggeggs3728]

@@spicy110 shiiiiiiiiite

[@DeathsStalkerRVT]

Is there a people with disabilities group in the UK? I the US they have the Americans with Disabilities Act ADC who continually go after governments and businesses for violations of the act. in Canada we have Accessible Canada Act and disabilities groups here use it to do the same. I suggest that or maybe the local press ...

[@urbanfireblade]

Maybe they sent u a warning letter the last time, then this time it was a fine?

[@spicy110]

I did not get any warning letters.

[@questeusher]

Tempted to go get a fine just to sue them 🤣

[@stephenjones9153]

Let's all go visit and stop with wheels 1mm from the line then see how many of us get a fine. Then all attend court together and protest our innocence 😂😂😂 Sorry but the Rich people in power don't give a dam for everyone else. I'm alright Jack mentality absolutely stinks.😢😢

[@razu1976]

I would assume their bikes are registered to Kier Starmer, 10 Downing Street. You really think they're riding legally?

[@paulyflyer8154]

15 minute cities on the way folks.

[@233kosta]

Nominally a sound idea, but in the hands of authoritarian governments it's just another way to beat people into compliance with increasingly arbitrary nonsense. All they had to do... ALL they had to do was adjust planning regulations to allow more commercial property (shops, pubs, restaurants, etc.) in otherwise residential areas. You don't have to force people not to drive to the pub that's 3 minutes up the road. Or to the shop that's a 5 minute walk.

[@dpurnell8376]

Sadly, BaNES is the same. Complete shambles.

[@StephanieG1]

You're not having any luck these days Spicy.

[@Trevster65]

Looking at your footage they will overturn your appeal so not worth the effort as it’s clearly sign posted. With regards to the delivery scooters, if they go along the footpath then they are committing an offence and police could prosecute if they were in the vicinity. Unfortunately cameras do not allow for honest mistakes and our roads are being run now to extract maximum from motorists.

[@bowches]

You should try and get the fine cancelled.

[@driverfilms]

Councils gonna council One hand doesn't know what the other one is doing. Just another way of making easy money

[@mmww_]

Mental you get a fine for something so small but nothing is done about the hundreds of deliveroo e bikes whizzing around ignoring all rules

[@aaroncargin]

If you switch your engine off you can push your bike to the parking spot. If your unseen the burden of conviction lay with the accuser, we are innocent until proven guilty. Your switched off vehicle allows you to debate cyclist laws

[@aaroncargin]

We are lucky in Plymouth we can live in the bus lane on motorcycles and it’s ok

[@michaelworthington9241]

Just out to make money 0mg all wrong

[@dogmadogma5398]

The WEF doesn't like motorbikes. Or cars. Or working class Brits.