motorbikes in buslanesTell the Mayor not to endanger the lives of cyclists and pedestrians! The LCC has written to London Mayor Boris Johnson asking him not to make a snap decision to allow motorbikes to use bus lanes. Even Transport for London has said the data the mayor is considering, is ‘not considered sufficiently reliable to inform a decision on such an important issue’.”
If taken, the decision would not only be against the advice of transport officials, but also without the input of cycling and pedestrian groups.
You can add your name to the letter by filling in the form on the LCC website .

London Cycling Campaign

Tags: Environment News, Environmental Campaign Groups

Comments

10 June 2008 - 9:00am — Trevor George (not verified)

Keep motorbikes out of London bus lanes

I live in Bristol where Motorcycles have been permitted in 98% of all Bus lanes in Bristol for the past ten years or so. Several exhaustive six-month trials were carried out before permission was granted to permit Motorcycles to use the Bus Lanes in the City of Bristol. Although there were originally objections from Cycling and Pedestrian groups, they were proven to be unfounded as the use of Motorcycles and Scooters in those lanes has actually improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and of course for Motorcyclists. By having those lanes used more frequently it slowly educates the pedestrians not to jay-walk, as they often do in front of quiet bicycles. The lanes can easily be shared by bicycles and Motorcycles as they can pass without hindering a cyclist. There's nothing more teriifying than being in a Bus Lane on a bicycle with a giant Bus right up your b***side trying to pass. Motorcycles don't do that. The use of Motorcycles in Bus Lanes also educates Car drivers not to zoom into the lane when it ends, without looking, as they often used to do and cut-up cyclists. It seem incredibly odd that the "Capital" of the UK is so far behind when it comes to permitting Motorcycles in Bus Lanes. You don't need to do any more Surveys or Trials. It has worked with 100% success in Bristol for the past ten years, and if it has worked there, you know jolly well it's gonna work in London.

5 August 2008 - 3:09pm — London Sightseeing Tours (not verified)

I am suprised too...

I think London needs to adapt quickly and sort out its Bus Lanes and I am suprised we dont allow Motorcycles in those lanes. I do have issues over the M4 and its taxi lane… but thats a whole other story.

24 July 2008 - 3:50pm — Anonymous (not verified)

Personally i think that

Personally i think that Cycles should be banned from Bus lanes as you consistently do not obey the rules of the road & cause obstruction for buses (primary use of bus lanes is?

Motorcycles were promised use of these bus lanes and he will deliver on this promise as a strong petition is already being signed to get motorcycle access to bus lanes

31 July 2008 - 3:13pm — Lee (not verified)

Buslanes are for busses

If we are to encourage public transport then we must take it seriously. I heard that in Sheffield the Bus drivers had radios to report anyone who tried to use the Bus lane. It could be an idea for London.

1 August 2008 - 8:03pm — Cedders3 (not verified)

Pedestrians do not 'jay-walk'

The Bristol experience is interesting, but it doesn’t necessarily translate to London, and the London Cycling Campaign petition was just asking that it’s looked at properly. I don’t agree that all bikers won’t cause a problem for cyclists, while London buses are usually considerately driven.

There is no such thing as ‘jay-walking’ in this country. Pedestrians have an equal right to the road . I do wonder if you can see motorbikes because they are closer to the pavement, it would be safer for pedestrians – my friend was hit by a motorbike in central London and took nearly a year to get back full mobility. But it’s something the experts need to look at.

4 June 2009 - 1:52am — Anonymous

jay walking

I have lived in London for more than 30 years.I cycle for short trips but frequently use a motorcycle for longer journeys across town. Pedestrians may have a statutory and equal right to the road, however their negligent actions rarely have legal repercussions (unlike in the USA) (Example 1) By far the most dangerous stage of my regular bicycle commute to Hammersmith was Oxford Street. One morning a 'jaywalking' pedestrian stepped in front of me with a walkman in one ear and a mobile phone on the other. I did a complete loop over the bars trying to avoid them wrecking my forks and splitting my lip.. RESULT £150 of damage to my bike, 1 hour late for work, meanwhile the perpetrator of this mayhem disappeared into the crowds as if nothing had happened. (Example 2) Piccadilly circus filtering on the outside of three lanes of stationery traffic on a 1200cc Triumph Trophy I was confronted by a grey haired 80 year old who had somehow found her way past Iron railings and three lanes of vehicles revving for the red light. I might have spotted her sooner if not for the white van I was passing, even at 10mph I locked everything up and my bike ground to a halt on its side at her feet. Although it didn't touch her she lost balance and collapsed over the fairing smashing the indicators and gashing her leg. RESULT:Little old lady goes to hospital I get breathalised by the Police (who were actually very understanding) The £560 damage to my bike is not worth claiming for with My excess, so I have to suck it up!( I end up selling it 6months later at a huge discount!) I even sent flowers to the old dear in hospital £25! My point here is that EVERYONE has a duty of care on the road, it doesn't matter if you are walking, cycling, motorcycling, driving a car or a 40 ton Chieftain tank! My experience of riding a bike (and bicycle) in a bus lane has all been positive, I'm really careful passing bicycles because I know what it feels like. This is a potentially life saving initiative that should be extended nationwide.

5 August 2008 - 6:16pm — HarleyCharlie (not verified)

Motorbikes in Bus Lanes

Motorbike riders are among the safest motorists on the road. Much more responsible than bus drivers or taxis. Our lives are at stake on a daily basis, just like cyclists, and our road using habits are well honed and in the main, safe. Motorbike riders and cyclists should unite to educate other road users, not fight between each other. Don’t force motorbikes to use the wrong side of the road in traffic. Let’s share the bus lanes, and contain buses and cabs to make them aware of our presence collectively. Less congestion is a real bonus. Safety studies suggest that this measure improves collective safety as well – not the contrary.

19 August 2008 - 3:30pm — Anonymous (not verified)

(Motor)Cycles in Bus Lanes

Cycles should not be in bus lanes as they cause more congestions when traffic has to slow down as buses pull out to overtake bicycles. Although I think motorcyles pose a minimal threat to cyclists I do think that cyclists need a dedicated cycle lane, which has priotity over other road users and which no other vehicle can use. Motorcyles should be allowed to use the bus lane as they do not hinder the progress of buses and it is far safer to be in the bus lane than filtering on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.

I agree with a previous comment that having motorbikes in the bus lane helps to educate car drivers not to swing left without looking. More traffic in the bus lane means cars/lorries need to pay more attention as the lane is less likely to be empty.

Cyclists should not worry so much about motorbikes: If a car/lorry hits a cycle they suffer a few dents to their bodywork and the driver has the incovenience of getting it fixed. If a motorbike hits a cycle the rider risks broken bones, gravel rash, a written off bike and has to replace a crash helmet. Which kind of driver is going to take more care around a bicycle?

Users of two wheeled transport should unite and push for road designs geared more towards them to make their travelling much safer.

25 September 2008 - 7:42pm — Brian Ashdown (not verified)

Motorcycles in Bus Lanes

It is patently obvious that Motorcycles should have access to bus lanes in London. There have been numerous surveys carried out in Europe and in Bristol, all have come to the same conclusion.....motorcycles should be allowed to use the bus lanes.Its safer all round. Even the most fashionable bigots must see the common sense in this proposal.

30 September 2008 - 5:13am — Scott (not verified)

Seems like there needs to be

Seems like there needs to be a motorcycle lane too? I think motorcyclists know the risks involved when getting on their bikes and therefore should understand that they will be traveling with other cars that could hit them so I see nothing wrong with making them stay out of the bus lane if they are slowing down the busses.
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