Motorbikes to be allowed in bus lanes, says Boris

The Mayor has instructed Transport for London to develop plans to allow motorcyclists on the lanes.

Mr Johnson said a similar move proved successful in Bristol and wants it copied in the capital.

But cyclists claimed that allowing faster motorcycles into bus lanes would put them in danger.

Mr Johnson's decision follows a major three-year trial during which TfL allowed motorcyclists to use the bus lanes on Brixton Road and Finchley Road. TfL's study concluded that during the trial the bus lanes were safer for pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers and motorcyclists, with a 42 per cent fall in collisions.

But cyclists questioned the results and former mayor Ken Livingstone dismissed his own transport department's survey, claiming it was misleading.

Mr Livingstone was accused of ordering authors to rewrite the study to make it "politically acceptable" before ruling that motorbikes should not get wider access to bus lanes.

Today Brian Coleman, London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, said he was "delighted" Mr Johnson was proceeding with the plan.

He said: "This highlights a key difference between Boris Johnson and the previous Mayor. TfL's report on motorcycles in bus lanes had been due to be released last October.

"But Ken Livingstone decided he did not want motorcyclists to use bus lanes so even though this report showed this change would reduce accidents he buried it. Boris Johnson has read the evidence report and made a decision based on fact rather than irrational prejudice.

"Although there are requirements TfL must meet before the Mayor rubber stamps this change, it is good news for all road-users that the wheels are in motion."

But Tom Bogdanowicz of the London Cycling Campaign said that TfL's first report was "wrong".

He told the Standard: "LCC advises against making any snap judgement on putting motorbikes in bus lanes based on what TfL has said. TfL says the data showed potential 'dis-benefits' to pedestrians and cyclists. Many cyclists find bus lanes a refuge from high-speed and unpredictable motor vehicles."

However Craig Carey-Clinch, of the Motor Cycle Industry Association, said: "Cyclists have nothing to fear. The first report was sound."

TfL does not yet have a timescale for implementing the scheme.