BMF: Boris keeps his promise: BMF welcomes London bus lane decision

Monday, 27, Oct 2008 05:17

The British Motorcyclists Federation have welcomed today's announcement that motorcycles and scooters are to be allowed to use London's bus lanes.

A persistent and long-term campaigner for wider bus lane use by powered two wheelers, the BMF say that it is pleased that London Mayor Boris Johnson has honoured his earlier commitment to allow motorcycles, scooters and mopeds into Transport for London's (TfL) bus lane network.

In a meeting with the BMF in February this year, Mr Johnson had said that: "Allowing motorcycles into bus lanes would ease congestion and increase traffic speed" adding "I want to get London moving and this is one of a raft of initiatives that I will take."

Making this announcement today, Mr Johnson kept to this theme when 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."

The decision follows a three-year TfL study of trial routes in which, despite the number of motorcycle collisions falling by 42 per cent, the previous Mayor, Ken Livingstone, had dismissed the trial as unsound.

Welcoming today's announcement, BMF spokesman Jeff Stone said: "This really is good news and although only a trial, we are confident it will be a success. We have been campaigning for UK wide bus lane use since the mid nineties and now have over fourteen towns and cities successfully and safely operating such systems. We look forward to London joining them."

Note 1: From 5th January motorcyclists will be able to share red route bus lanes with buses, cyclists and black taxis on an 18-month trial basis.

Note 2: In March 2007 the Government issued a new Traffic Advisory Leaflet (TAL02/07) to Local Authorities that specifically encouraged a more objective assessment to be made of bus lane use by motorcycles.

Note 3: Existing Bus lane access sites: Bristol has operated a permanent bus lane access since 1996 and Reading since 1999. Other sites are in: Northern Ireland, Birmingham, Colchester, Derby, Bath, Hull, Plymouth, Swindon, Sheffield, Richmond on Thames, Newcastle on Tyne, Sunderland and the M4 bus lane. Still being trialled in London are the Finchley Road (A41) at St John's Wood to Hampstead, the A23 to the South and A13 to the East.

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Issued by Jeff Stone: t: +44 (0)121 709 1040 f: +44 (0)121 705 8784 e: jeff.stone@bmf.co.uk

Details on this and other BMF activities can also be found on our web site: www.bmf.co.uk