Gov't Consultation- re bikers and national bus lane access
Discussion
The Government has just launched a consultation on giving motorcycles automatic access to bus lanes nationally.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/motorc...
This is part of their wider pro-motorist initiatives, launched over the weekend:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/crackdown-on-an...
Obviously, the bus lane consultation is significant from an access perspective and recognising motorcycles / powered two wheelers as a transport solution - cutting congestion and efficiently using road space - it is also an important safety measure, to give riders more space and allow them to focus on the road, rather than having to scan bus lane regulation changes.
For example, in London, bus lanes administered by Transport for London do allow motorcyclists to use them, but many council run streets, do not, with changes often in a short distance, creating confusion and the risk of fines etc.
At the moment, in most places, it is for councils to decide how bus lanes are used. It is time consuming and difficult for motorcycle groups (Motorcycle Action Group etc) to try to get councils to prioritise and see the light on this.
Interestingly, when research has been done on motorcycles in bus lanes, an overall improvement in road safety has been seen, as these two London based trials show:
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2...
https://democracy.brent.gov.uk/documents/s91059/11...
This is the first time in a while I have seen an official consultation on transport that I am keen to support!
Bikers don't generally get much legislative support and would be great if as many people as possible could make their voices heard and reply positively to the consultation!.
There aren't many questions and it only takes a few mins.
Edited by five50 on Monday 18th March 22:23
I’ve done it and was clear in my intention.
In my view, the deference to cycling has come at the direct expense of motorcyclists, a group that pays road fund licence and has at the least, a minimum level of training standards to be on the road. With registration and mandatory insurance, motorcyclists are traceable accountable for their actions, too. However, in addition to being forced out of bus lanes ad hoc, we have road space ever diminished by excess space for cycle lanes — meaning that we cannot safely exercise our right to legally filter without being pushed precariously close to oncoming traffic.
Opening bus lanes would be the bare minimum to making motorcyclists feel as though they aren’t the least represented group of road users, by far.
Spread the word.
In my view, the deference to cycling has come at the direct expense of motorcyclists, a group that pays road fund licence and has at the least, a minimum level of training standards to be on the road. With registration and mandatory insurance, motorcyclists are traceable accountable for their actions, too. However, in addition to being forced out of bus lanes ad hoc, we have road space ever diminished by excess space for cycle lanes — meaning that we cannot safely exercise our right to legally filter without being pushed precariously close to oncoming traffic.
Opening bus lanes would be the bare minimum to making motorcyclists feel as though they aren’t the least represented group of road users, by far.
Spread the word.
Edited by bolidemichael on Tuesday 19th March 00:05
black-k1 said:
Done! To me, this is a no brainer. I believe that all studies into this have shown that use of bus lanes reduces accidents for motorcycles without increasing accidents for any other road user group.
I seem to remember reading something similar - the main stumbling block, IIRC, has been every council wanting to do their own risk assessments and consultations, citing that they're all somehow unique and won't be looking at exactly the same factors that everyone else has already looked at. Really good that central government is finally taking the lead.We have been able to use bus lanes here in Plymouth since an initial trial in 2007.
I think it works really well, although it does sometimes require a different level of awareness in particular where there are breaks in the bus lanes to allow cars to exit, all too often people dive across the bus lanes without a check to see if a motorcycle is there. This is even worse when the traffic is stationary ahead of the exit and people get impatient and pull across early with little notice or indication. Also taxis tend to whip in and out of the bus lanes at short notice rather than just staying in them.
Overall though I think it works really well and definately helps progress on 2 wheels, it also removes the need to filter between traffic at many spots.
I take it for granted now and have to be very mindful when I go to other cities to read the signs.
I think it works really well, although it does sometimes require a different level of awareness in particular where there are breaks in the bus lanes to allow cars to exit, all too often people dive across the bus lanes without a check to see if a motorcycle is there. This is even worse when the traffic is stationary ahead of the exit and people get impatient and pull across early with little notice or indication. Also taxis tend to whip in and out of the bus lanes at short notice rather than just staying in them.
Overall though I think it works really well and definately helps progress on 2 wheels, it also removes the need to filter between traffic at many spots.
I take it for granted now and have to be very mindful when I go to other cities to read the signs.
Strangely Edinburgh allow the use of bikes in bus lanes, however Glasgow reviewed it and this was their response. Basically just use a f
king bus or a taxi.
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/Councillorsandcommittee...
king bus or a taxi. https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/Councillorsandcommittee...
bolidemichael said:
I’ve done it and was clear in my intention.
In my view, the deference to cycling has come at the direct expense of motorcyclists, a group that pays road fund licence and has at the least, a minimum level of training standards to be on the road. With registration and mandatory insurance, motorcyclists are traceable accountable for their actions, too. However, in addition to being forced out of bus lanes ad hoc, we have road space ever diminished by excess space for cycle lanes — meaning that we cannot safely exercise our right to legally filter without being pushed precariously close to oncoming traffic.
Opening bus lanes would be the bare minimum to making motorcyclists feel as though they aren’t the least represented group of road users, by far.
Spread the word.
Please don’t use this sort of logic in any argument submitted in the consultation as it will undermine any salient point you might include.In my view, the deference to cycling has come at the direct expense of motorcyclists, a group that pays road fund licence and has at the least, a minimum level of training standards to be on the road. With registration and mandatory insurance, motorcyclists are traceable accountable for their actions, too. However, in addition to being forced out of bus lanes ad hoc, we have road space ever diminished by excess space for cycle lanes — meaning that we cannot safely exercise our right to legally filter without being pushed precariously close to oncoming traffic.
Opening bus lanes would be the bare minimum to making motorcyclists feel as though they aren’t the least represented group of road users, by far.
Spread the word.
Edited by bolidemichael on Tuesday 19th March 00:05
FFS.. Road fund? That thing abolished in 1937! The argument that cyclists don’t contribute to the funding of roads has been debunked so many times! road funding comes from general taxation and there are more journeys and km travelled by cycle than motorcycle; no one cares about your/my feelings, we are under represented because there are less of us, and for those still riding it is increasingly a leisure activity. You’re targeting the wrong villains, rightly or wrongly the winning argument will be about reductions in congestion and the increased environmental and health benefits of this reduction. We need more cycling not less.
Re standards: I’d agree some riding provision as part of national curriculum for cycling would be a good idea, it is provided in a lot of schools and is far more comprehensive than a CBT; no-one in their right mind would attempt to legislate for the registration or insurance of bicycles, as much as red light jumping by my 2 wheeled bredrin irks me, they don’t cause huge amounts of damage or injury in the event of a crash, and where it occurs they can and have been prosecuted.
Volume of traffic, poor road surfaces, drivers distractions e.g. from mobile phones, lower driving standards, lower awareness of motorcyclists, deliberate blocking and the ever increasing size of cars has had a much bigger contribution to making filtering a pain in my experience. When I use routes where there are more bikers there seems to be more courtesy e.g. my route which takes the A1 all the way into London in the mornings is pretty good with drivers making space more often than not.
There was a consultation in Cambridge re motorcycle use of bus lanes; unfortunately it was combined with a trail of allowing EV powered cars. There were 86 objections overall but only only a few objections (3 or 4 from memory) were raised concerning motorcycles citing the vulnerability of cyclists in shared lanes, riding standards of moped couriers and the inappropriate speed of motorcycles. 1 intellectually challenged moron cited the ‘fact’ that motorcycles have the same mass as a car and therefore presented the same risk ( I checked - the lightest production car was still far heavier than the heaviest production motorcycle ( not even sold in the UK). Despite a lot of support in the consultation for motorcycling it still isn’t permitted in the bus lanes and doesn’t form a part of travel plans in Cambridge,,
https://cambridgeshire.cmis.uk.com/CCC_live/Docume...
Motorcyclists have an image problem. we’re perceived as unsafe, loud, and reckless.
There may be an image problem - but I think it is more perception than reality. For every one person with a straight through pipe revving up at the zebra crossing or fight on Brighton beach in the 1960's, there are loads of commuter bikes quietly going about their business that no-one notices.
And if one wants to think about this in virtuous terms, each one is another person using a vehicle that solves congestion, uses less energy than a car, creates less exhaust and PM emissions etc etc.
And frankly, it is not like cyclists dont have an image problem. When open, non-directed feedback is sought in urban situations (certainly situations I have been involved with in London), the main thing which comes back from the public is cyclists riding recklessly, running red lights at every opportunity etc. People generally aren't seeing powered two wheelers as the problem.
Bikes in bus lanes examples like the Cambridge and Glasgow provided above - re bikes not being allowed in bus lanes for non-objective reasons - are why it would be great if could be a strong positive response to the consultation and for the Govt to open bus lanes to bikes nationally.
Fingers crossed.
And if one wants to think about this in virtuous terms, each one is another person using a vehicle that solves congestion, uses less energy than a car, creates less exhaust and PM emissions etc etc.
And frankly, it is not like cyclists dont have an image problem. When open, non-directed feedback is sought in urban situations (certainly situations I have been involved with in London), the main thing which comes back from the public is cyclists riding recklessly, running red lights at every opportunity etc. People generally aren't seeing powered two wheelers as the problem.
Bikes in bus lanes examples like the Cambridge and Glasgow provided above - re bikes not being allowed in bus lanes for non-objective reasons - are why it would be great if could be a strong positive response to the consultation and for the Govt to open bus lanes to bikes nationally.
Fingers crossed.
Done, and have suggested that rather than making things worse this will have a positive effect on pedestrian safety. The most common accidents/near-misses I see are pedestrians not looking for filtering motorcycles when crossing roads through queuing traffic.
I now look forward for motorcycles to not be allowed in any bus lanes and banned from filtering.
I now look forward for motorcycles to not be allowed in any bus lanes and banned from filtering.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff