I use the bus lanes whenever I can and I agree that there are additional hazards to watch for. But I still think they are safer on the whole.

Certainly much better than going around the outside in the face of oncoming traffic. In London, and I assume elsewhere, the oncoming traffic forces you to keep closer to the traffic you are passing than I would like, reducing your visibility of, and reaction time for, whatever or whoever may appear in front of you from between stationary or slow moving vehicles.

In a bus lane (wide enough for a bus!) you can be an extra couple of feet over and every little helps. Bus lanes usually also have cyclist, buses and taxis in them so pedestrians and drivers are often expecting there to be someone or something there.

i agree with stephenc especially in built up commuter areas where at least you can see all pedestrians trying to cross and they can see you

Only a complete muppet would argue an empty bus lane was not as safe as driving up wrong side of road with oncoming traffic. Hence the question I started the thread with? Yes motorcycles are dangerous and other road users can be very inconsiderate but there are also examples of motorcyclists creating risk for themselves.

When you see oncoming traffic you pull in, let it pass and pull out again.
Oncoming traffic really isn't that dangerous, you can see it and it can see you.
The real danger on the road comes from things you can't see or fail to predict.
Just because a bus lane is empty doesn't mean its completely safe.

http://lydall.standard.co.uk/2010/06/mo ... heels.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I never said "safe" but it is safer

Did you read the link?

Lies, damned lies and statistics. Cyclists and small scooters are a menace in any lane.

... A bit like motorcyclists that ignore facts that don't fit what they want?

What facts am I meant to be ignoring? The boris machine would have turfed motorcylists out of bus lanes if there was any evidence of increased accidents. There has been a rise in cycle fatalities but there has been a huge rise in cycle use. Trying to argue that filtering against oncoming traffic rather than using a wide empty bus lane would only be supported by someone with very poor road skills

You have no idea of what my "road skills" are or what my experience is.
Ride how you like, but if you are using a bus lane ride nice and slow and watch out for vehicles turning across your path because being on their inside you are at significantly higher risk of not being seen.