Association calls for permanent motorcycle access on bus lanes

Current experimental scheme due to end soon.

The Motor Cycle Industry (MCI) Association has called for an experimental scheme, which allows motorcycles to use bus lanes, to be made permanent.

The current scheme, which ends July 5, allows motorcycles to use bus lanes and helps commuters gain easier access to areas of London without the need to mix with other traffic on certain key routes. This helps to reduce rider vulnerability on the overall road space and improve their visibility.

The scheme has led to an increase in motorcycle usage in London, with more miles travelled in 2009 compared to other years.

An interim report on the initiative found that a majority of cyclists were happy to share bus lanes with their motorcycling brethren.

MCI is calling for Transport for London to put greater efforts into publicity and education aimed at making car drivers aware of motorcyclists in bus lanes – in the same way that they do for cycling.

Motorcyclists also need to be aware that their speed is important when using bus lane.

Steve Kenward, MCI’s Acting CEO said: “We feel that it is important to point out that allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes is a positive step towards improving transport accessibility for London citizens and in demonstrating the positive effect that motorcycling has in reducing traffic congestion and CO2 levels."

"It is clear that allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes has been a positive step for motorcycling as a whole and a positive step for London, with increases in motorcycle use demonstrating this."

Further information:
Motor Cycle Industry Association