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• Nina
  Holy crap that is confusing. I hope they changes the signs because I thought the hours listed were when I couldn't drive in those lanes but that they were open the rest of the time.
  
  What the hell, why don't they just put parking signs up that say when parking is allow and make the other says say buses/bikes ONLY at all times?
• Nidwaldner
  I never would have guessed that's what the signs meant. Geez, Louise!
• SeattleRichardson
  The problem was that at first SDOT said it was ok, or at least that's what I remember. Then not so long ago they corrected the answer in the newspaper as noted on MyBallard weeks ago. As I remember SDOT said they were going to change the wording of the signs to remedy this... no changes as of yet. Even though it is confusing it's frustrating to see people flying right by you in that lane.
• Sheila
  The sign clearly states that it's buses only during those times and that right turns are permitted. For them to *say* that the lane is always for buses and bikes only cannot be inferred by the signage. If you get a ticket for driving in that lane and not during those times, you will undoubtedly have a case to have the ticket reversed.
• John
  I've been out of town for a couple of weeks. Where are these bus lanes located on 15th? All the way up and down?
• Realistic Yuppie
  The signage is ridiculous, and so is SDOT's lack of cohesive responses. I drive in the right lane outside of the posted hours, because it doesn't say a damn thing about those being PARKING hours.
  
  Until they change their confusing signage, I'll continue to drive in that lane during off-peak hours. It's not like that lane is full of rapid-transit buses, anyways! Hah.
• G Dub
  If we are allowed to park in this lane during the " non peak " times, why on earth would we not be allowed to drive in this lane during those times. Are they saying that a moving vehicle snarls traffic but a stopped vehicle is ok??
• Realistic Yuppie
  G Dub, obviously parking on 15th is more important than driving on it!
• Sheila
  G Dub - good point! You too Realistic Yuppie.
• lakreitz
  I have zero respect for SDOT. None at all. From the answers that I read in 'bumper to bumper' each week, I doubt anyone in that department ever leaves their office to observe how traffic actually moves (or doesn't). They make life miserable for everyone. They are accountable to no one.
  
  This question came up in 'bumper to bumper' shortly after the signs went up. As I'd already driven illegally (not intentionally) in the lane, I took a good look at the signs the next time I was on 15th. Hey, I can read. That sign says 'Buses only' and lists hours. The 405 HOV lanes list hours, too. Parking is not mentioned on the signs - anywhere.
  
  SPD better not give tickets for bus lane violations until those signs are fixed because anyone who gets one has a good case for getting the moving violation dismissed.
  
  Good grief I sound like an old curmudgeon. As a bus rider, I love the lane BTW. Does that make me less curmudgeonly?
• Sorin
  I have never been able to fully grok those signs. Way too much information in that space. That SDOT is now saying the signs are also inaccurate makes them (the signs and SDOT) a sad joke. I've seen more and more signage like this around Seattle in recent years. It seems the people creating them don't have an understanding of how to communicate clearly and concisely.
  
  Someone needs to organize a contest for a photo of the most confusing street sign grouping in Seattle. There would be a lot of good entries.
• Lindsarella
  ok- I read the signs. To me- it says- you can drive in those lanes in the hours that are NOT listed. And when you ARE driving in those lanes, if you look down on the road, it says- RIGHT LANE MUST TURN RIGHT. So- in conclusion, my fellow Seattlites, DONT drive during those hours, and DONT use the lane unless you intend on turning right. That wasn't so hard, was it? I will admit, I didn't ever consider they meant parking, I just figured they meant - dont be here at these times. Not too bad.
• Sheila
  Lindsarella, it must be that hard since nobody else read the signs that way. For it to say right turn only on the road along with the signs it was easy to think that it only applied to the times posted.
• julia
  I read the signs just as Lindsarella does. There are similar bus only lanes with right turns permitted on Aurora by home depot- although I don't think those have time restrictions. If you're unsure about the meaning, just don't drive in the right lane unless you are turning right. Personally, I think you should give SDOT a break. They are trying to put alot of information into something you can read at 35mph. It can't be easy.
• G Dub
  How long have you worked for SDOT Julia? The whole point of restricting these lanes was to provide buses with their own lane during" peak hours " . The sign clearly states buses only 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. " Right turns permitted" clearly states that right turns are permitted by passenger vehicles during peak hours.
  
  Nothing about this sign or the markings on the road restrict vehicles from parking or traveling during non peak hours.
• Realistic Yuppie
  Seriously people - the signs are broken. Implying that it is a driver's fault for not inferring the meaning of the sign just doesn't cut it for me.
  
  Why should SDOT get a break? They need to hire some graphic designers to create a sign that makes sense. And maybe the county should fill that lane up with buses.
  
  And it's great that right turns are 'permitted.' Wahoo! I never knew I could turn from those lanes before...?!
  
  And last but not least... bikes can ride in that lane, but don't have to turn (even though they are permitted to, of course, should they choose to do so!) - but a car cannot do the same?
  
  Grow up SDOT! Ballard is growing quickly and the city needs to move faster to make transportation work.
• Realistic Yuppie
  FYI everyone, SDOT clarified today that mopeds can use the bus lane on 15th, but left turns are only permitted from 7-9am if the moon is full and there are at least 3 parked cars in the way of said moped.
• Suthii
  This is gonna make getting to Whole Foods very entertaining...or are localvores allowed to make turns?
• Mike
  When you are a union employee at SDOT, having to do the job over and over and over again means recession-proof employment.
• John
  This whole thing makes me think of the movie "European Vacation" when Clark Griswold gets stuck in the round-about in London.
  
  "Look kids, it's Big Ben!"
• Charlie
  I've got an idea (and yes, the signs confused me), instead of driving and being forced to figure out if you can or can not drive (or park) in the right-hand lane, why not just take the bus or ride your bike? Problem solved!
• Realistic Yuppie
  Right, I'll ride the 45-minute bus to downtown, standing room only. After waiting 20min for the bus to show up.
  
  I am seriously all for public transportation, but its ridiculous how slow it is from Ballard to downtown.
• Sheila
  Thanks, Charlie. Great solution - for you maybe. Taking the bus isn't an option for me right now. Maybe after another year of rehab I'll be able to walk more than 3 blocks. Until then, thanks for making me feel like a lazy bum.
• Nina
  Yes, the 15 takes forever to get downtown. Not to mention all the drama that takes place. I took the 15 this weekend for the first in probably a year. There was verbal argument where some lady told a dude to OBEY the rules. Then some native American woman had to get involved and tell him why she was cool. Then he started ranting about how the white man took the country (he was white). The first lady told the bus driver to kick him off and he was smart enough to just leave on his own.
  
  Then we reached the downtown area and the driver was making an announcement when lady one bitched about how he wasn't loud enough. Not even a minute later, the bus driver cut a corner too close and pop his tire.
  
  On the way back, the bus was 10 minutes late and there were... OMG SMELLY PEOPLE ON IT.
  
  When my boyfriend took the 15 for the first time (first bus in Seattle too), the bus driver came to the back and yelled at them to stop smoking pot or she would call the cops. I guess someone needed to toke up to survive the bus ride.
  
  Never a dull moment on the 15.
• Realistic Yuppie
  Really, I would just like to see a few more express buses in the morning… why do they stop at like 8:15? It would be awesome if they ran till 9. It's great that more people are riding the bus, the city just has to keep up with the demand. I don't see why we have to wait until 2010 to have the 'rapid bus transit' service too...