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Does Reg also agree that we should have STRICT enforcement for not stopping at red lights? Tell me, do these cyclists, from whom I distance myself from at every opportunity, also not stop at pedestrian crossings, level crossings, fire stations, ambulance stations…

I am a motorcyclist, but also a member of the CTC, Audax UK, British Cycling and my local club. There is enough ignorance, selfishness and lack of consideration on the roads already without cyclists contributing to it. Every road user should consider their own safety, as well as that of others and not live life in their own little bubble. Hopefully that way we’ll all just get to where we’re going without the stress and preferably in one piece.

- Simon, Maidstone, Kent, 18/02/2009 08:53
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I think that if motorcyclists become a hazard in the cycle/bus/taxi lanes then as a cyclist I'll have to resort to taking up a car lane to myself. I'm not bothered if cars have to queue up behind me.
What cyclists really need are new lanes exclusively for cyclists, without blockage by courier vans parked in the way, or cars parked in front of shops for deliveries.

- Blake, London, 05/01/2009 15:41
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As a biker of some 45 years' experience, I am delighted that this move could restore some of the mobility and freedom gradually removed from motorcycling by traffic growth and, of course, the spread of bus lanes themselves.
It will get us out of the way of cars and their frustrated drivers in heavy traffic; and cut down the need to filter between lanes and to the offside of stationary traffic. So motorists should welcome the change - and cyclists, please don't worry - just keep reasonably to the left and you will be passed calmly and safely. Consider fitting a decent mirror - and please use a rear light when it's dark.
I am dismayed at the negative tone of media reporting of this matter. Often it panders to a nasty prejudice against bikers which has its root in envy of the motorcyclist's enhanced mobility. You don't have to ride fast to travel quickly, if you see what I mean, and that seem to upset some folk.
There are dangerous antisocial elements in every category of road user; and I am astonished at some of the fatuous, bitter, ill-founded bleatings of cyclists and their representatives in various interviews. London cyclists have had millions of pounds spent on their lanes and routes; their reported selfish attitude ill becomes them when Boris cuts us bikers a bit of slack.
I hope all motorcyclists will enjoy and respect the new arrangements - I certainly will; and I feel much safer with them in place. Claims that the preceding research was flawed are absolute tosh.

- Stephen Wood, Hartfield, East Sussex, UK, 05/01/2009 10:21
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It's no use Alex, you'll always get these ignorati who bang on about road tax. The damage caused by motor vehicles due to the massive concentrated weight of their engines and parts necessitates repairs to the roads, the cost of which dwarfs road tax. I'm fed up with subsidising these motorists - bunch of scroungers, worse than benefit cheats. They'd better not hold out their caps for further donations when I walk by, because I won't contribute a rusty penny except what is stolen from me through general taxation.

Perhaps John Whitby and Andi-M would care to explain their views on low-polluting cars which are categorised as zero tax vehicles?

- Reg, London, 05/01/2009 10:02
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Andi-M, you have a wrong understanding about so-called 'Road Tax'.
Cars are taxed not to pay for road repair (which is paid for out of the general budget) but to pay for the costs of pollution.

- Alex, n19, 04/01/2009 22:17
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So the cyclists genuinely believe that allowing motorcyclists to use all of the bus lanes (as opposed to just some of them, as previous) then they are 'less safe' than they were before whilst riding with just the buses and taxis??

Perhaps when the majority of cyclists start paying road taxes (no, there is no such thing as the 'road repair fairy'), having third party insurance policies, obeying the rules of the road and becoming genuinely accountable in law for any contraventions of regulations or accidents that they cause then just maybe the motorists who pay for the roads (and pavements!) that these cyclists ride around on would start to pay a bit more attention to what they have to say!

- Andi-M, London, England Innit!, 02/01/2009 18:08
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Its a trial - The evidence will only be proved one way or the other once the trial is over. Cyclist have had buses, taxis and fellow cyclists to look out for, far less than if there was no bus lane at all. Now they have motorcyclists to look out for too.

If cyclist and motorcyclists use the lanes in the proper way, looking out for each other, being considerate to each other, then the trial should be a success.

I am a relative new motorcyclist of only 2 years and have never travelled to London because of the amount of main road traffic. Now the journey is potentially easier and safer, I might start to use my bike for work instead of the car and public transport.

- Jond, Hayes, 02/01/2009 17:46
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A victory for common sense, at last.
And I can't imagine what the push bike yobbos are whingeing about -- they'll just ride on the pavements, as usual!

- Tim Bartlett, Upwell, Norfolk, 02/01/2009 17:45
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I disagree with allowing motorcyclists into bus lanes. In Italy the motorcycle, especially the moped, has for years been a common feature on roads in towns and cities in Italy. The problem is that here they have been given too much freedom. What is is next for London? Police ignoring them when they use the pavements, as in Italy?

- Mark Wright, Milan, Italy, 02/01/2009 17:02
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Cyclists - the scourge of just about everyone except them selfish selves.

Can't see what harm motorcyclists in bus lanes could do, they don't slow anything down and abide by the road rules as do cars - quite unlike (these awful) cyclists !

- Rg, london, 02/01/2009 16:36
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Why is it controversial?
Let motorcyclists in the bus lanes and cut accidents. It's hardly rocket science.

The cycle lobby are behaving like spoilt brats over a toy that no one else is allowed to play with.
For goodness sake GROW UP!

- Dave, London, 02/01/2009 16:09
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I bet those people who commissioned and conducted those extensive road tests feel pretty dumb now - they should have just asked Koy Thompson. Other "facts" according to Koy; the earth is flat, the sun travels around the earth and electricity is the work of the devil!

- St, UK, 02/01/2009 15:26
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I ride both a motorbike and a bicycle. Only an idiot would think that cyclists will be greater endangered if motorcyclists share the bus lanes with them. Undoubtedly the greatest danger on the roads are black cabs (who do what they want no matter who they kill) and big vehicles like buses and trucks.

Motorcyclists have every right to use the bus lanes. They are in as much danger and suffer as serious injuries as cyclists, so let's not be selfish. Let's instead start the New Year on a note where we look out for every road user and endeavour to keep everyone safe.

- Susan De Sousa, Chelsea, England, 02/01/2009 14:47
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Typical reaction from the cycling lobby.
They do seem to think that they have the right to do whatever they wish on the roads and no one else has the right to use the roads that we pay tax for.
Motorcycles won't hold up buses, nor will they put cyclists at any more risk that they are now, especially if they stop riding with personal stereo's on on going through red lights or down one way streets the wrong way!

- John Whitby, Peterborough, Cambs, 02/01/2009 14:39
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Could a member of the cycling lobby explain how it is safe to have a double-decker bus roaring past you at top speed in a bus lane but manifestly unsafe to have a motorcycle trundling past you in the same section of the road?

- Richard, London, UK, 02/01/2009 14:29
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A victory for common sense at last.

Now lets Boris scrap the congestion charge, ah but he can't because Capita and Siemens have very tight penalty clauses??.

- Steve, London, 02/01/2009 14:05
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Defeats the object really, why have a bus lane lane at all?

- Triifidqueen, Desk in London, 02/01/2009 12:54
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An excellent idea. I use the Fincley Road where this was trialled and it is much safer for everyone. An extra lane provides motorcyclists with safer passage through traffic and as long as cyclists stick close to their routes it should prove safer in the long term.

- Jon, London, UK, 02/01/2009 12:16
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So all we have to do now is to mark cycle lanes within bus lanes, which will take care of both the motor cycle 'problem' and also the fact that bus lanes 'close' down' at times, leaving cyclists with no recognised lanes.
And then we must have proper enforcement of no parking in cycle lanes - 76 parked cars in the cycle lanes counted on the 3 mile (or so) stretch between Ealing and Shepherd's Bush the other day. Fining motorists outside Blockbuster Video could clear the Nation Debt!

- David, Ealing UK, 02/01/2009 12:10
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Oh here we go again. The good old cycling lobby wanting the roads for themselves. Start paying some form of road tax, have registration plates and insurance and most importantly of all start obeying the laws yourselves and you might start to be taken seriously.

- Jl, London, 02/01/2009 11:58
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Good work Boris. Cars next. Buses are big, dirty, smelly metal boxes full of poor people that make this great city look awful. They certainly shouldn't be given their own dedicated lane. However, I am willing to ride the new Routemaster which is a wonderful British addition thanks to our new mayor.

- Charles James-Fanshaw, London, 02/01/2009 11:34
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It won't make an awful lot of difference as moped and scooter riders already seem to use bus and cycle lanes.

- Bob, Cheam, 02/01/2009 11:25
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Time will tell whether this represents a serious threat to cyclist safety, but it certainly represents a diminution of cyclist rights in a road infrastructure with only third world facilities for non-motorised transport by comparision to European capitals. There is also no doubt that it will increase the perception amongst the 80,000 cycle-owners of London too afraid to use their bicycles that their fears have grounds.

For these reasons, STRICT enforcement of the speed limit in bus lanes and STRICT enforcement against any four+wheeled vehicle protruding into cyclist boxes should accompany this trial. Exemplary prosecutions should be made with evidence collected by mobile police officers as early as possible, and this publicised.

- Reg, London, 02/01/2009 10:40
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