Bikes in bus lanes petition. Govt response

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#1 Post by **Kwackerz** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:35 pm

A while back there was a petition put up to ask that the Prime Minister "Allow the use
of "Bus Only" lanes by scooters and motorcyles throughout the UK." It had 10,584 signatures to it.

It made it through to the end without being deleted! Makes a change..

The PM's Govt has issued this response to that petition.

The Government recognises that motorcycling has become increasingly popular and offers a number of benefits.

Bus lanes are the responsibility of the relevant highway authority. In February 2007, The Department for Transport issued new guidance in the form of a Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/07 on "The Use of Bus Lanes by Motorcycles". This makes clear to local highway authorities that it is open to them to decide whether or not to allow motorcycles to use bus lanes and encourage them to make an objective assessment of the issue.

The new guidance revises the previous Department for Transport's advice on bus lanes, Local Transport Note 1/97: Keeping Buses Moving, which recommended that motorcycles should not normally be permitted to use bus lanes.

A step in the right direction. So! Now you know. Petition the relevant highway authority!

D-Rider · #2 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:23 pm

Yeah - I guess, in reality, it is our local councils that we need to lobby. I think the key thing is that the government have stated in black-and-white the policy that motorcycles should not normally be permitted to use bus lanes has been superseded.
This must mean they recognise the benefits of allowing bikes in bus lanes or they would just have maintained the status quo.

The harder thing may be getting things going on a local level - I think that most biker forums tend to serve people from all over the place with a common interest - usually the make or model of bike. We need to strike while the iron is hot .... just have to work out how to contact and mobilise people.

Maybe this thread could focus our thoughts as to HOW we may mobilise things on a local basis.

Suggestion Number 1:
Write in to your local paper with a letter praising the government in recognising the benefits and, as a result, changing their advice to local authorities. Implore other motorcycle and scooter riders to write to the appropriate person on the council (you'll need to research this) - maybe their local councillor - to urge the council to encourage this environmentally friendly and congestion-busting means of transport in a way that reduces risk to these vulnerable road users.

Hopefully this will get printed on the letters page - which will be a result in itself - and also encourage others to write in.

#3 Post by **Kwackerz** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:35 pm

Indeed! I shall sit here in a bit and write out a letter for my local area, see what I can come up with. I'll also have a look, see what is needed to contact the 'relevant highways authority' as well

Gio · #4 Post by **Gio** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:07 pm

I wouldn't say local gov D-R, but county councilas they are responsible now for all roads in a county unless advised.

#5 Post by **Kwackerz** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:34 pm

Well this I feel will be my initial shot over the bows.

Kwackerz
GPZ Towers
Etc…

<Insert Head of Dept Here>
<County Council Hwy Dept>
<Full Address>

10 August 2007

Sir

The Use of Bus Lanes by Powered Two Wheelers

I am a motorcyclist living within the County of <Insert County Here>.

I would like to ask as to the current position of the Highways Department upon the use of the current bus lanes within <Insert place here> by Powered Two Wheelers and to whether your Department are doing any research into the use of Bus Lanes by Powered Two Wheelers in light of the Government’s change of stance as revealed in February in Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/07, "The Use of Bus Lanes by Motorcycles”.

I look forward to your response.

Kwackerz

Gio · #6 Post by **Gio** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:51 pm

Using a name like that at the end will consign it to the waste bin

#7 Post by **Kwackerz** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:00 pm

Well clearly I would be using my full name.. however for the sake of the internet, the names have been changed to protect the guilty..

Gio · #8 Post by **Gio** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:53 am

D-Rider · #9 Post by **D-Rider** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 10:28 am

Woo Hoo - just been wondering if there are any local biking web forums (never thought to look before). Stuck "Coventry Bikers" into Google and up comes a biking forum called "Coventry Bikers"!
Seems very active too!
I've filled out the registration and am waiting for my account to be activated - soon be mobilising the troops in Coventry to lobby for bus lane access.

falcomunky · #10 Post by **falcomunky** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 10:49 am

Is it only me who doesnt get why so many bikers are wanting to use bus lanes?

Maybe its a 'Big City' issue, (glad I dont live in one then)...?

#11 Post by **Kwackerz** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 11:04 am

Indeed FM, but it's also a filtering issue. It's much safer to ride in a Car free lane than battle thru the traffic, having to filter, or sit and let the bike overheat.

Cambridge is a nightmare, as is London, Norwich .... etc, etc

Trumpeteer · #12 Post by **Trumpeteer** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 3:14 pm

Kwak, I disagree, only because some years ago I was forced into riding a pushbike as a result of misplacing my licence (ahem!).

As you know I lived in S London and there are many bus lanes.
Bus Lanes would be great if Buses were excluded from them! The trouble is, I found, that you regularly have to go round them as they stop so regularly, and drivers really do NOT check for "filtering" on their left.
I fear sadly there would be many casualties before drivers began to get re-educated.

Samray · #13 Post by **Samray** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 3:29 pm

What's a bus , and why do they need lanes?

D-Rider · #14 Post by **D-Rider** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 4:07 pm

We've got loads of bus lanes ..... almost never see a bus in them though. They even have their own traffic lights that gives them priority over the rest of the traffic. Can't wait to use them - spend less time in town and get out on those country roads more quickly. Keep my kids out of the traffic just that bit more too (TBH that's what I'm more keen on)

Gio · #15 Post by **Gio** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 9:07 pm

Samray wrote:What's a bus , and why do they need lanes?

A bus is a device invented for Pakistani/Indian/Dark coloured people, they are the only people who know how to drive one (Suicidal 3rd world maniacs), which brings us to the bus lane!
They can't drive in ordinary lanes as they are unable to associate with normal people.