Site Map You are here: Home > Bike insurance news > June 10 > London biker bus lane use 'should become permanent'
London biker bus lane use 'should become permanent'
Breaking news provided by MotorCycle Direct - specialists in bike insurance.
Written by Fran Newton, 02/06/10
Looking for a bike insurance quote?
The London mayor should extend the scheme that has allowed motorcycles to use bus lanes in the capital, an industry body has suggested.
Boris Johnson has been called on by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) to make bus lane use by motorcyclists a permanent fixture following the successful pilot scheme, which is due to end on July 5th.
The initiative, introduced in January 2009, has potentially meant reduced journey times for bike insurance policyholders in London and has been shown as helping increase use of two-wheel transport.
Under the scheme, riders have been able to use most red route bus lanes, which are also used by cyclists and taxi drivers during their hours of operation.
Steve Kenward, MCI's acting chief executive officer, commented: "Given that the July deadline is now quite close, we are surprised that the mayor has been silent about the future of the initiative."
He suggested that allowing bikers to use bus lanes is a positive step towards improving transport accessibility across the capital and also demonstrates the positive elements of motorcycling, such as reducing congestion and helping to cut CO2 emissions.
However, he went on to stress the importance of motorcyclist safety when using bus lanes and has called on Transport for London (TfL) to raise awareness of the issue among other drivers.
While the scheme means bike insurance policyholders are more visible, riders need to beware other road users pulling across bus lanes from side roads, the MCI said.
The association commented that TfL has a duty of care to ensure motorcyclists are safe on the roads, which means "putting more effort into educating both car and motorcycle users about safety and bus lanes".
Concerns had previously been raised about the safety of bikers using the lanes alongside cyclists, yet a recent study discovered that both road users were happy to share the space.
Bicycles will be allowed to continue using bus lane when the scheme ends and the MCI has called for the same rights to apply to bikers to promote road safety.
Mr Kenward called for positive thinking on the issue and suggested that TfL and the mayor use "a fair hand" when considering the future of the scheme, allowing for rider safety in the same way they are addressing cyclist safety.
Failure to do so will be "grossly unfair and demonstrate unjustifiable bias against motorcycling", he concluded.
Bookmark with:
What are bookmarks?
Previous Bike Insurance News
Suzuki riders to get exclusive parking at TT
'Businesses benefit from bikes'
Govt releases helmet safety ratings and new website
Bike Insurance News
08/02/12 - Triumph takes award for Motorcycle Live exhibition. Triumph is celebrating after being named the best exhibitor at Britain's leading motorcycle show.
08/02/12 - Yamaha extends low-finance offers. Yamaha has extended the range of motorcycles covered by its Street Wise finance promotion.
01/02/12 - David Robb leaves BMW post. The man responsible for transforming the BMW Motorrad motorcycle brand has left the company after 18 years.
