• Motorcyclists to be allowed in red route bus lanes
• Accusations fly in battle of motorists and cyclists
• Spend, spend, spend says Boris
• It's time for some blue sky thinking, Boris

Reader views (66)

 Add your view

Since most urban cyclists speed along on pavements, scattering or hitting pedestrians as they go, this will not affect them.

- Martin, Telford England

If cyclists took a cycle lesson then they would have a lot more confidence on the roads, wouldn't fear motorbikes or anyone else and certainly wouldn't mount the footpaths as often as some of them do.
We need people to get out of their cars not just to reduce congestion but also to reduce the increasing pressure on residential parking. If you have a two car family and one push bike in the house, they will always be a two car family needing two parking spaces. however if one of them were to buy a motorbike they are more likely to get rid of one of the cars freeing up valuable parking spaces. lets give it a go and please LCC as a member I don't remember being asked my views on this, so if you wouldn't mind can you stop this nonsense of a campaign on mine and other cyclists until you have properly canvassed our views

- Colm, Hanwell

Road tax, whatever it is for, falls woefully short of the cost of maintenance of the roads. The shortfall, a huge one, comes out of general taxation.

As the reason for road maintenance comes from motor vehicles, since cycle use does not damage roads, cyclists are effectively subsidising other road users through general taxation. The biggest freeloaders of all are lorries, who cause most of the damage to roads. They are greater burdens on the state than any immigrant family living in a £1 million council house at the State's expense.

On safety, as usual no-one can give a single example of their own experience of a cyclist actually injuring them, let alone causing death. The complaint is about "irritation" at the few renegade cyclists. Surely this is distasteful with recent articles in the Standard about motorcyclists who have lost limbs from hit and run van drivers?

We cyclists will survive the introduction of bikers into bus lanes. However, cyclist boxes and lanes must now become sacred to non-motorised transport, with it being a criminal offence for a 4 or 3 wheeler to overtake a cyclist or motorcyclist at a junction. This does represent a shift of rights away from cyclists on the roads, and with the road infrastructure inadequate for cyclists compared to more civilised cities such as Amsterdam and Berlin, it is an ideal moment to introduce tougher action on motorists intruding on cyclist-only areas. Let's sort out the scandal of pavement parking too.

- Reg, London

What else would cyclists like, they have cycle lanes which they don't use, they have the pavements, which are for pedestrians, they want the bus lanes for themselves & not share with the buses or motorbikes, oh & they are seen to go the wrong way up a one way street, what next

- A, london

Jim in London. Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is NOT a tax on ownership of a car. If it was, then how come I can SORN my classic car for winter and not pay VED on it. I still own the car. I am simply not using it (or keeping it) on the road so therefore I do not pay VED for use of the road. By paying VED you are paying a tax to use the road. Cyclists, you are using the road AND the pavement. Therefore, perhaps you should pay double what motorcyclists pay.

- Kevin, Radlett, Hertfordshire.

to quote Michael Evans (London), it would actually be more accurate to state:

Many cars or motorcyclists in town are a menace. They take no heed of traffic rules and even jump red lights. When all motorists pay road tax and have insurance they can have a say in the use of bus lanes and other road traffic rules.

- Roger, london

more bikes equals less congestion,makes sense to encourage their use as much as possible

- Steve Insley, derby, england

Motorists do not pay road tax. They pay Vehicle Excise Duty. It is a tax on ownership of a car, not on use of the roads. Nor is the money raised spent specifically on roads - it goes into the Treasury pot like every other tax. It is therefore completely irrelevant to any debate on cycling.

- Jim, London UK

By the number I've seen in bus lanes over the years, I thought they were already entitled to do so?

- Marianne, SW France

Unless you ride a motor bike you don't understand what's really going on. In order to get your licence you must have a thorough training, and the prime message is SAFETY. Contrast this cyclists who can simply go into Halfords, hands over a couple hundred quid and then launch themselves on to the roads. I'm sure they simply cling to their pedestrian mentality. Traffic lights become a mere obstacle to be overcome by dodging across when there's a break in the traffic and pavements are merely an extension of the road -both are offences. Anyone who cycles in London should take a test and carry insurance.

- Jeremiah, London

Many cyclists in town are a menace. They take no heed of traffic rules and even jump red lights. They cannot keep up with the traffic flow and are therefore a hindrance in bus lanes. Motorcycles and scooters, on the other hand, occupy little more road space than a cycle and have much better primary safety. When cyclists carry number plates, pay road tax and have compulsory insurance they can have a say in the use of bus lanes and other road traffic rules. Until then......

- Michael Evans, London UK

"Cylists" AREN'T moaning or waging war against this plan. The LCC and CTC have, without their members vote or permission, created a campaign against the plan for motorbikes to use bus lanes.

Feel free to carry on with the usual numberplate/insurange/car tax etc.. complaints with this in mind

- Cycholist, london

Isn't it about time cyclists had insurance, MOT & number plates. So if they jump red lights, ride on the pavement & do illegal moves on the road they could be banged to rights. Then they can complain about motorbikes.

- A, london

Push cycles really should be banned from bus lanes entirely as they greatly impede buses. Restrict them only to dedicated cycle lanes.

- Bruce, London

claire neeley,
if you were walking how would a motorcycle in a bus lane put you off as you claim ? you must be one of the many people taking to walking on the road (it used to be called JAY WALKING )to avoid all the cyclists that now think the pavement is theirs to use when they choose.

- Peter, Hartlepool United Kingdom

Susan Porter, you're talking a load of tripe as usual.

Your efforts to whip up fear and doubt are helping nobody.

The simple fact is that motorcyles are a legitimate part of London's transport policy.

I'm sure that not even a dedicated lentilista like you would cycle a 100 mile round trip commute.

The sooner your realise that, and contribute to the debate in a more constructive manner, the better.

- Andy, East London, London, UK

How will this reduce traffic queues? If I currently drive and I decide to get on a motorcycle because I can now use the bus lanes, what is to stop people currently walking or cycling, put off by the motorcycles in bus lanes, getting back into cars to take up the space I have left. Eventually we will be back up to current levels of congestion.

- Clare Neely, London England

Well done Boris for living up to your election pledge. Hopefully this trial will be seen to be successful and will result in bus lanes being opened up country-wide.

What's also needed is to allow motorcycles, scooters and mopeds to legally use the advance box at lights and junctions.

I am also in favour of better dedicated cycle lanes and other cycling resources, such as the ability to ride through the London Royal Parks. If routes were made safer, many more would-be cyclists would join the two-wheeled revolution.

- Tim Cullis, Eastbourne, UK

Dr Susan Porter of Bow: "Motorcyclists pose a danger to cyclists twice that of cars- that's the hard fact."

No it is not a hard fact. It is a blatant lie with no basis in fact. If you take the time to read the Department for Transport's "Road Causalties in Great Britain 2006" You'll see the actual unspun truth.

in 2005-2006 there were 7065 killed or seriously injured cyclists admitted to hospital following road accidents.
4,268 just fell off
1,592 were hit by cars
242 managed to ride into an immovable object.
102 were hit by buses or HGVs
89 were hit by other cyclists
77 hit 'other' vehicles (not cars/MCs/buses or HGVs)
only 50 were hit by motorcycles.
34 were injured colliding with pedestrians. I would imagine the pedestrians came off worse.

The bald facts make it clear. To a cyclist, motorcycles are by far THE safest vehicles on the road. They actually pose 32 TIMES LESS danger than cars. A far cry from the good doctor's claim. They pose less than half the danger of buses and trucks and nearly half the danger of other cyclists. (Not to mention nearly 5 times safer than lampposts and 85 time safer than thin air)

So if there is a negative effect on the perception of safety, it is entirely down to scaremongers like Dr Susan Porter

- Niall, London

Dr Susan Porter, the only people promoting the perception that cycling will become more dangerous as a result of the Mayor's decision are people like you and the cycle lobby groups, who are only interested in themselves and no-one else. They routinely spread disinformation and propoganda on this issue. The original survey that was carried out in the trial bus lanes showed that letting motorcyclists use bus lanes was a win-win situation for everyone. This was buried by Red Ken and his cronies at Transport for Lefties and a updated one was produced using statistical analysis that was flawed.

Motorcyclists can be knocked off their big heavy machines by cyclists too, as I found out the hard way a few years ago when a cyclist veered into my path, so let's not spread the nonsense that cyclists will come off worse. It hasn't happened in cities like Bristol, Reading, Hull and Colchester where they have been letting motorcyclists use bus lanes for years. It won't happen in London either, as the TfL survey found.

- Bob S, London

Here in Bristol, motorcycles have been allowed to use bus lanes for many years and co-exist happily with cyclists in so doing. It will be good for London and will further get people out of their cars and onto small mopeds and motorcycles for those people for whom cycling is not a practical option. There will be no increased road safety issues. Motorcyclists themselves are well aware of the dangers posed by other inattentive road users and I predict that cyclists and motorcyclists will get along together without any increase in casualties amongst the cycling communities.

- Dave Bush, Bristol

I have been using a motorbike on the Finchley Road since before the experiment began. I now feel much safer in the bus lane than going down the outside or down the middle of two lanes of slow moving (or stationary) traffic.

I do not ride fast. I probably do nearer 20 mph than 30 mph. This is because I am always fearful of a pedestrian stepping in front of me having crossed the road through the stationary traffic (not on a crossing).

I have been riding a motorcycle in London for nearly 30 years. I have never seen a cyclist hit by a motorcycle.

What I do see everyday on the Finchley Road are cyclists riding on the pavement. As soon as they come up behind a stopped bus or taxi, straight away they are on to the pavement to get round the obstruction. Why not wait just like I have to. Cyclists, why do you go through no entry signs, no right turn signs etc to get to where you are going. Go the long (but legal) way round like I have to.

Cyclists, I would not wish you any harm by any bike, bus or car. However, until ALL of you are obeying ALL of the Highway Code I'm not interested in your opinion on this subject.

- Kevin, Radlett, Hertfordshire

I regularly see cyclists flouting the law. Motorcyclists will not be able to. As license holders and (insurance payers) they will not be able to risk points or payouts by causing acidents as the cylists are suggesting. Numbers don't lie. What's wrong with trying to save lives and cut congestion at the same time?

- Darren Richards, Ruislip, England

Boris and most people here are missing the point. Why are they called "bus lanes"?. Bus lanes are meant to speed up bus journeys so people are encourage to use buses instead of cars. They shouldn't be used by cycles or motorbikes or by other means of private transport. The road is public ownership and as such it should have a lane reserved for those people who decide to use the public buses. Public transport must have priority over private transport.

- John Span, london

How long will it take for the powers that be to realise that cyclists need their own separate designated cycle lanes? Someone please go to Holland and see how well it all works there.
The cycle lanes in England are a joke authorities wasting our money with useless signage.

- Tony Godel, London Hammersmith

Well done Boris!

- Joe, Islington, London

I've cycled through Central London for about 15 years, usually in rush hour as a commuter through the heart of the capital via notorious cycle problem areas, you could consider me a fairly serious and experienced city cyclist. For the past 18 months I have also been a motorcyclist in Central London and for the life of me I have no idea what the LCC are complaining about.

EVERY one of the few incident I've had on my bicycle has been with a car (usually a cabbie or white van) - NONE has been with a motorcycle who in my experience are far more considerate and aware of their surrounding road users than car drivers - indeed, the training I received to pass my motorbike test was leagues ahead of the equivalent for a car licence in this regard.

It really annoys me when a properly conducted, objective study conclusively demonstrates a 42 percent reduction in collisions and this is simply dismissed out of hand by ill considered emotive posturing. 42 percent is a significant amount of injuries averted and lives saved - and, of course, includes a reduction in collisions with all types of transport - including cyclists.

I can only assume those objecting to this are the sort of timid, wavering cyclists bereft of any confidence who pose more of a danger than any other road user out there - "oooh, motorbikes make a lot of scary noise when they whizz past me at a safe distance and speed" - if this measure gets this variety of cyclist off the road we'll all be safer as a result!

- Toby, London

I am inclined to believe that cyclists are a greater threat to peoples safety than motorcyclists. The number of times as a pedestrian or in a car I have been shouted at, and threatened by cyclists is amazing. They have no regard for traffic laws, often refuse to slow down for anyone, and, I presume because they are all hot and bothered, shout abuse at anyone or anything that gets in their way. Motorcyclists on the other hand tend to be more courteous and law abiding.

- Brian, Fulham

I really cant believe that cyclists have the cheek to complain about any thing, they don't pay road tax, they don't need a licence, they are not registered, have no number plates etc etc. and they are the most irresponsible of all road users, not stopping at traffic lights,and zebra crossings etc, that think they have a god given right to cycle illegally on the pavements, they take their bikes on the trains free of charge taking up space.I think they should count themselves lucky that we tolerate them at all.

- Kev, London

Let the carnage begin!

- Stuart, Luton, UK

Cyclists make me laugh, when they start abiding by the rules of the road, pay insurance and tax then they can have a say until then I am not interested in anything they have to say. I don't even ride a motorcycle but agree they face the same dangers of opening doors and not being seen by motorists. At least they are accountable for their actions and don't jump red lights, hop the pavements, tap pedestrians, flip wing mirrors and drive off leaving the fuming accountable motorist stuck in traffic!

- Ka, London

How ridiculous that motorcyclists could / would endanger cyclists.

A cyclist or even a pedestrian could easily have a motor biker off!

I haven't heard such nonsense for ages!

- Iain Mac, Kingston upon Thames, UK

Cyclists should take an advanced proficiency test if they wish to use London's roads and have registration plates. Many, though not all, don't even have a basic knowledge of the highway code. A motorcyclist on the other hand has to undergo intensive training followed by a lengthy test. Taking this into account and the fact they do not cause congestion, suggests that they should be entitled to use bus lanes. A good move Boris!

- Ben Pearson, London, UK

This is fine. All we need now is to let cars use bus lanes as well, and we'll all be happy.

- Richard, London, UK

Michael Hardware says 'I have always said that it will be a motorcycle that knocks me off my bicycle, not a car'. That's funny because I have ridden a motorcycle in London for over 30 years without ever colliding with a cyclist but for the last 6 years or so I have had a strong feeling that some stupid twit on a bicycle breaking a red light or turning up a one way street the wrong way is more likely to have me off my motorcycle than a door slammer. Cyclists have nothing to fear from motorcyclists in bus lanes. Objections from the anti-PTW bigots in the self-centred cycling lobby are just contrived hysteria. Those who wither on about the safety of cyclists should put their own house in order first and obey the highway code if they want to avoid accidents with other road users.

- Niall Pembroke, London

Bikers have been surreptitiously using bus lanes since they became commonplace in the early 70’s, they’re gingerly employed as a last resort to cut through traffic, I say ‘last resort’ because a bus lane is a diesel catalyst so one is very aware by stepping into them your risk of sliding to your doom under the wheels of a bendy is greatly increased. To allow bikers to use them as a matter of course is crazy. Bikers don’t need them as they can overtake traffic, cyclist do need them because they can’t (safely) overtake traffic, and if they do so they’ll find some hairy-bottomed biker their bracket quite rightly annoyed when they can, after all, use the bus lane. But bikers aren’t the issue here. Whilst I accept you get the odd twit, those that ride bikes in excess of 50cc have to take a very rigorous test to allow them to ride on the road. This doesn’t apply to mopeds, and here is the real problem and the core of my issue with this scheme. Any one can get on a moped, get a provisional licence from the Post Office, nip to Halfords and get some L plates and a helmet and you’re good to go. Within a matter of minutes you’ll be nipping in and out of traffic like a wasp with an inverted sting, and of course, having no experience at all, the whole ‘looking out for cyclists, bikers, old dears, cars, busses’ etc won’t even enter into the equation. Boris is clearly a ‘Cameron Cyclist’ (one who cycles about between two blacked-out Mercedes stuffed with armed policemen.)

- Piqued, London

Boris has been running red lights and driving in bus lanes for years.

- Keith Price, Luton, England

great move Boris,I've been waiting many a year for this.

Motorcyclists face the same traffic dangers as cyclists so why not let us in the safe haven of the bus lane too?!

Perhaps if there was some form of licensing for cyclists they could be forced to undergo some basic training that would stop them acting like numptys and throwing themselves under lorries. I don't see too many stories of motorcyclists being injured by lorries/buses turning left?! Is that because we get the training so realise undertaking near a left turn/sitting in a blind spot is not the brightest thing to do?

- Mac, Clapham

The biggest problem on the streets being a pedestrian

1. Cyclists who mount and ride on the pavement

2. Cyclists who jump the lights

3. Cyclists who cycle across pedestrian crossings.

4. Cyclists who go the wrong way up a wrong way street

5. Cyclists that don't look.

With that lot, pedestrians can't afford to not look.

- Richard, London

I don’t know why Michael would suggest that Motorcyclists are the most dangerous of London's drivers. Let's put this in to a training context. Motorcyclists (not scooters riders who are generally a menace!) are given far more training than your average cyclist. It's not often you see a cyclists look over their shoulder when changing road position (a lifesaver) they just tend to move and expect everyone else to avoid them. Motorcyclists also share that feeling of vulnerability and as such are generally much more aware of their environment than car drivers, that awareness benefits cyclists.

A mutual respect for all road users regardless of conveyance is what’s required but to achieve that requires give and take. So I’ll stay out of your cycle lane and cycle boxes if you stop jumping red lights and causing me to do an emergency stop in a junction to avoid killing you…

Alternatively, here's an idea, let's make it an 'even playing field' and make all cyclists take a £800, 3-5 day course or even a 1 day course before they're let loose on the road... Maybe that would help save lives.

- Jonathan, London

I was horrified on my commute in by motorcycle this morning to witness a cyclist weaving on the road like a drunken duck, oblivious to the fact that he was impeding the flow of 1.5ton metal slabs on 4 wheels, he was chatting away on his phone! Obey the Highway Code, be insured, use lifesavers, indicate your intentions to change lanes, get off the high horse of cycledom and use the road sensibly. Oh yes, well done Boris!

- Gm, London

I'm a cyclist, and I don't see a problem.

Dr. Porter, can we assume you did not get your PhD in Applied Logic [or spelling]?

- Oscillator, London UK

For those saying that motorbikes are a danger to cyclists, how about the cyclist using more common sense. Removing the MP3 player so that they can sense what's going on around you.
Look left and right to see what is going on around you. Looking over your shoulder before you pull out into traffic.
Signal to other traffic what you are about to do.
Stop at red lights.
Don't ride on the pavement etc etc.
Put lights on, front and rear.
There have been many accidents in london where pedestrians have been knocked over by cyclists and I am one of them and that was at a red light with the green man showing.
As with the green box at the front of a junction, I rarely see any cyclist stopped in them, most ride through the red lights.
And yes, I ride a motorbike and cycle.

- Brian, London

I commute to the West End Monday-Friday on a large capacity scooter.

Almost every day I see cyclists....

Not stopping at red lights
Ignoring no entry signs
Ignoring one way street priorities
Riding on pavements
Not stopping at Zebra Crossings
Riding on the Westway
Riding on the Hammersmith Flyover
Riding on the Hogarth Roundabout Flyover
Not wearing reflective clothing
Not wearing a helmet.
Not using lights
Idiotic road positioning - especially on the Marylebone Rd
Using a mobile phone whilst riding
Nipping up the inside of long wheelbase vehicles, even after the well publicised fatalities over the past few months.

I think we get the point.

For the CTC mob who like to bleat about bikers, try sorting out your own mob first. Most bikers are courteous road users. Boris' decision is a wise one and I welcome it.

- Pilotpaul, Richmond, Surrey

Why are cyclists still complaining about this? The decision has been made, get over it (and while you are at it, stop ignoring left-indicators, get at least one rear-view mirror fitted and please, live and let live.

- St, London

Dan, 'even if large motorbikes obey the speed limit, which they rarely do', prejudice there surely ? Why are pedestrians crossing the road at risk from traffic obeying the speed limit ? Perhaps if they looked (right, then left, then right again) before stepping out, they might be safer.

- Peter Haldane, London

@Dede - the complaint is always that something "nearly" happened, perpetrated by a cyclist. That's a pretty distasteful focus point when set aside the killings and maimings of pedestrians and cyclists which ACTUALLY happen week in, week out, where the motor vehicles are clearly at fault. Open challenge - who has actually been, or even heard of someone being, hospitalised by a cyclist? Thought not.

Mcs in bus lanes shouldn't happen without a MASSIVE crackdown on cyclist box occupancy by motor vehicles - including motorbikes - because it is reduced visibility and aggressive positioning by drivers at junctions that cause the most serious of cyclist accidents in London. For all the driver bleating, the most common profile of a cyclist victim is a law abiding, highly educated women (PhDs and professors amongst recent victims) giving plenty of room to motorists by riding passively. If you note, that is how many motorists posting here require that cyclists should ride - sinister stuff.

Let's have cameras everywhere at road junctions, with multiple viewpoints - it's cheap enough to do with today's technology. Every cyclist I know would definitely vote for this - but would every motorist? Surely, enough drivers would feel deprived of the opportunity to bully more vulnerable road users to make this a close vote indeed.

- Reg, London

What effect will it have on perception of safety?

There were two pilots which showed no decrease in safety for cyclists and an improvement in safety for motor cyclists. It seems to me that it is the cycling lobby is the group that is doing the most to increase the perception of risk.

- Dave, London

The real issue / danger for cyclist are the buses, not the motorcycles.

What this city needs are dedicated cycle lanes. In Germany these are on the pavements (rather than on the street) meaning that it is even safer for cyclist to go around and also reduces congestion.
A bus that overtakes a cyclist, needs to go out of the bus lane and effectively occupy two lanes - making this unsafe and increasing congestion.

If the cycle lanes are well marked on the pavement, pedestrians are safe too. If it works in Germany or France I can't see why it shouldn't work here.

- Enrico, London

The biggest problems on the road being a cyclist.

1. Cars and motorbikes will pass you when you are cycling - forget that they have just passed you - and hang a left into the turning just in front of you.

2. Pedestrians that don't look.

- David, London

I have always said that it will be a motorcycle that knocks me off my bicycle, not a car. Motorcyclists are the most dangerous drivers on the roads and allowing them to use the bus lanes is going to make them like race tracks - it is pure madness and the Myor needs to really consider what he has done.

- Michael Hardware, London

I expect quite a few more collisions between fast moving motorcyclists and cyclists and pedestrians. In bus lanes, cyclists frequently spread out and pass each other (for better or worse/right or wrong), now with motorcyclists also accelerating quickly from behind, jostling for space, I expect a few of these cyclists to be taken down.

This is yet another cyclist unfriendly move by BoZo, the motor king and speudo cyclist

- Mcw, London

Motorcycles shouldn't be dangerous for pedestrians when passing on the left as long as pedestrians stick to the allocated crossings. That would be safer for everyone. We do need to stop the ridiculous situation with mopeds being allowed to drive on L-plates though. They are the most dangerous thing on the roads.

- Mark, London

Cycles in bus lanes slow down buses.

I welcome motorbikes in bus lanes - they won't affect buses too much.

- Bob, london, wandsworth

I cycle to work everyday, motor bikes are always driving on the wrong side of the road (especially Hackney Road) to overtake, they weave in and out of traffic, cyclists will not stand a chance. They are polluting the atmosphere and come into the congestion area for free, so why do they need the bus lane. For a green environment Motorbikes should pay 50% congestion charge and stay out of the bus lanes

- Sally Smith, london,united kingdom

"It is difficult enough to weave around the buses and there will be more accidents." Don't weave around then, muppet. Behaviour breeds behaviour - arrogant, selfish cyclists who push to the front of a queue and then hold everyone up engender road rage in other road users, whilst sedate, considerate riders usually - not always, admittedly - receive consideration in return. You are not in a race to get to work or home, and others, even those using powered transport, also have a right to use the roads.

- The Gene Genie, Croydon

A typical reaction from selfish sanctimonious cyclists, who only obey traffic laws when it suits them.

- Arthur J Motorcyclist, London

The data on which Boris based his decision is flawed.

The claim that on the trial routes the "number of motorcycle collisions fell by 42%" is wrong.

Not even the report rejected by Transport for London made such a claim.

That leaked report calculated a changed 'rate' of collisions by using traffic data estimated on only one day in a year, those estimates varied wildly by over 100% year by year. Any conclusions drawn from such dodgy data are dangerous nonsense.

Motorcyclists pose a danger to cyclists twice that of cars- that's the hard fact. Mixing slow, light vehicles with faster, heavier machines is never a good idea.

- Dr Susan Porter, Bow

This survey has proved that it is safer for motorcyclists to use the bus lanes not only for the motorcyclists themselves but also car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. It will encourage sensible commuters like myself to use a scooter to travel around London and the more prople that do that the greater the effect to reduce traffic congestion around the city. Well done to Boris for approving this measure and shame on you Ken for knowing that this was the right move for everyone but denied the results of this study for so long.

- Dominic, London

As a cyclist myself I encounter more cyclists than motorcyclists causing a danger to my safety, although moped and scooters users seem to leave their brains elsewhere when they board their vehicle. Only once in 12 years have I been cut up by a motorcylist and he waited at the next set of lights to apologise and say that he hadn't seen me.

- Bob, Cheam

Doctor Porter, are you really saying that it is preferable to have motorcyclists made less safe in order to pander to a perception of risk in the cycle lobby? Nice attitude.

- Pete, London

This is a very problematic decision for pedestrian safety. Even if large motorbikes obey the speed limit, which they rarely do, having them shooting past stationary traffic on the left at 30mph will be lethal for pedestrians.

- Dan, London, UK

I am a motorcyclist and cyclist and feel really angry at the cyclist who believe m/c should not use the bus lanes. It's not the vehicles that are the problem it is the people who use them, a cyclist nearly took out a man and young boy at red traffic lights last week, should he be allowed to use a bus lane or any part of the road? If I can use a bus lane I feel slightly safer as I do not feel the need to weave in and out of traffic so much also it is actually getting really hard for m/c and scooters to get through the traffic. Why cant all of us sensible people who use two wheels work together and not against each other. There will always be people who are not safe behind the wheel of any vehicle don't put us all in the same box.

- Dede, London

I'm a cyclist in London, but I don't have a problem with motorbikes in bus lanes.

Most cyclists concerns relate to what is behind them, in the direction of where they can't see. Thus, motorbikes constitute a threat because they can't be seen. However, motorbikes are equally vulnerable on two wheels, and are quite capable of seeing what is in front of them, cycles, buses etc, and don't want to hit anything.

Cyclists tend to overestimate the danger from behind, but underestimate the danger from ahead. Most accidents happen at junctions, not from being rammed up the rear (which is very rare), so perception is at odds with reality.

Cyclists should calm down on this one. People on motorbikes are just like us, they want to get to work safely as well and motorbike riders have ten times more road sense than the average muppet in a car.


However, I do have issues with motorbikes in the advance boxes. If there are bikers reading this, PLEASE stay out of them as you tend to crowd pushbikes out, and increase the danger if cyclists can't actually reach the relative sanctity of the ASL box because there is a motobike blocking the way into it. When this happens, it makes people on cycles very uncomfortable. Its illegal, and you know it, and its also dangerous for more vulnerable road users, so don't do it!

- George, London

cyclists will only be happy when they are the only road users ! i wonder what they will moan about then ?

- Peter, Hartlepool

This story ignores what I think is a very important point that has been missing from all debate on this:

What effect will it have on perception of safety?

London (and most other places) are trying to increase levels of cycling dramatically - if the perception of people who might be pursuaded/are inclined to consider cycling is that the motorcycles make it more dangerous - this might seriously go against the grain on a strategic policy level. Nobody seems to have explored the potential of its affect on opinion and the potential for something like this to have a knock on effect which leaves growth in London cycling stagnant.

- Dr Susan Porter, Bow

Add your comment