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Motorbikes to be allowed in bus lanes, says Boris
David Williams, Motoring Editor22.05.08
Cyclists and motorcyclists will be able to share London bus lanes under plans unveiled by Boris Johnson.
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.
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Reader views (57)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
I cycle to work every day from SW to central London. Bus lanes are brilliant for cyclists, but if allowing motorcyclists into bus lanes would reduce the overall level of deaths and injuries then isn't it obvious that is what should happen. Surely fewer deaths and injuries has to be better?
- Stan, London
I'm a motorcyclist, and Boris got my vote based on this pledge, yet, 6 months on, and I'm still waiting to be allowed to ride in the bus lane.... what's going on Boris!?
- Seth, London
Of course motorbikes should be allowed in bus lanes. What the cyclists never seem to appreciate is a lot of the usable road space that was used for safe filtering has been given up for cycle lanes. And I might add these expensive lanes are for cyclists who make no financial contribution to road upkeep unlike road tax paying motorcyclists.
There is common ground between cyclist and motorcyclist in as much as they're both vulnerable to injury through light collision. Cyclist would do well to become less pious and more sympathetic to the motorcyclist plight. After all it the inception of their cycle lanes that lead to a rise in motorcycle injuries.
- Dave Jackson, Corringham, England
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