Motorbikes excluded from London’s bus lanes
Excluding motorbikes from bus lanes could make it less dangerous for cyclists (AFP/Getty Images)
Currently most such lanes are reserved for the use of buses, taxis and cyclists
with only a few open to powered two wheelers but a recent study by Transport
for
However, their report published today - based on what is claimed to be the definitive analysis of a trial scheme - has concluded that there is no clear evidence of significant safety benefits to motorcyclists while pointing towards potentially increased risks for cyclists and pedestrians.
Mayor of
“The final published report shows only a very small safety benefit for motorcyclists against a larger disbenefit for other vulnerable road users. On this basis I do not propose to further allow motorcyclists to use bus lanes.”
TfL Managing Director of Surface Transport, David Brown said: “We undertook this trial to see if we could improve road safety for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. The results to date do not support a change in policy in this area.”
What do you think? Perhaps TfL should
go further and consider banning taxis from bus lanes, especially if
User Comments
There are 5 comments on this post
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 comments
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PeteinSQ
Posted Wed 12 Mar, 2:18 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
Well given that motorcycles and scooters already routinely use bus lanes I don't see this making a great deal of difference. Experience has taught me that the police are very keen on enforcing the law when cyclists break it but couldn't care less about drivers of cars and the riders of motorbikes.
They're not supposed to use the advanced stop lines either and they always do; I have even seen police motorbikes use the advanced stop area that is supposed to be the preserve of cyclists.
As to the question "should they ban taxis from bus lanes?", of course they should. It makes no sense to me that they are allowed to use bus lanes. Taxis actually produce more harmful pollution than many cars and are something that are really only restricted to those with plenty of money or those on expense accounts. What makes a taxi any more "worthy" than a car?
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blorg
Posted Thu 13 Mar, 11:54 am UTC Flag as inappropriate
Pete- what makes a taxi more "worthy" than a car is that is a more efficient use of a resource. I don't own a car myself but do make use of taxis and certainly think they should be allowed in bus lanes. I'm not wealthy but I do save a pretty packet by not owning a car!
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wurzel2
Posted Fri 14 Mar, 2:58 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
Firstly I hold my hands up, I am a biker and a cyclist. I am a member of the Motorcycle Action Group and live in Reading where we have had motorbikes in bus lanes since 1999. I regularly attend council transport forums with members of CTC etc and we have few conflict issues. Bus lane use here has definately cut accidents and as of last week when I checked this with the head of Transport strategy there had been no reported collisions between PTW's and Cyclists in the 8 years.
Before crowing about this report it might be useful for people to read the origincal before Ken had it re-written. The evidence showed massive reductions in accidents for motorcycles AND cyclists. It was thought that the increased 2 wheel traffic meant peole entering from side roads were not just looking for big buses.
The British Motorcycle Federation has actually made a formal complaint about Ken for his changes
http://www.politics.co.uk/press-releases/lives-at-risk-in-bus-lane-trial-cover-up-say-bmf-$484828.htm
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wurzel2
Posted Fri 14 Mar, 3:03 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
Might want to read this from the Telegraph as well which mentions the advantages to cyclists
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2008/01/26/mflane126.xml
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Doom
Posted Tue 8 Apr, 12:09 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
I would agree to the use of Taxi's in Bus lanes but only if and when they had passengers otherwise they are just normal traffic and should act like it.
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