[Twincam]

BUS LANES OPEN TO BIKERS

18-month trial lets motorcyclists enter bus lanes

Motorbikes will be allowed in most of London’s bus lanes from today. The move is part of an 18-month trial set up by Transport for London and it is hoped it will help to cut congestion and accidents.


Boris Johnson had pledged to test the scheme as part of his election campaign. He said: ‘I have long been staggered that while motorcyclists can use bus lanes in many other cities and some of our boroughs they were not allowed to use the TfL routes that criss-cross the capital.

‘One of the ways we can ease congestion is by encouraging more people to get on their bike, whether pedal or powered, and I believe they should be able to share our bus lanes successfully and safely.’

However pedal cyclists have criticised the scheme and the London Cycling Campaign has petitioned the mayor. The LCC's chief executive Koy Thomson wrote in a letter to the mayor: ’While we would support measures to make motorcycling safer, such as a 20mph speed limit, there is no clear environmental, safety or congestion reason for allowing motorcycles into bus lanes.’

The trial only applies to TFL lanes and bikers have been told to check the lanes are open to them before they enter.

(Taken from Pistonheads)

Finally, they have seen the light!

[firebladeking]

Originally Posted by Twincam

BUS LANES OPEN TO BIKERS

18-month trial lets motorcyclists enter bus lanes



(Taken from Pistonheads)

Finally, they have seen the light!

[dicknose]

We have that here in Sydney.

We are allowed in transit lanes (as are bus, taxi, bicycle and other vehicles with a min number of passengers, usually 2 or 3 - marked as either T2 or T3 lanes!)
Bus lanes then allow bus, motorcycle, taxi, bicycle.
We also have "Bus Only" which is just for buses - but they are changing many of those to Bus Lanes. Mostly they are in/out of bus areas (especially at traffic lights where there is a bus stop near the light and the bus would be in a turn lane) But they are generally very short - the Bus Lanes are typically longer - including things like the Harbour Bridge.

So Im glad you guys get to experience it as well!

Now if only they would fix the bloody tolls here (we pay the same as a car and with several electronic only toll roads its a pain as the etags dont work well on bikes)

[Surffrog]

Originally Posted by Twincam

BUS LANES OPEN TO BIKERS

Finally, they have seen the light!

Nice. Life might get better for you for a while, Twin. Though I didn't like the tone of the complaint from the LCC's chief executive, Koy Thomson. I fear that one won't go away

[Destructo]

About time too, typical response from the cycling community though....

Lets hope our fellow bikers in London treat the privilege responsibly and give no reason to revert back after the trial!

[Stu748R]

Good old Bo Jo and well done.