Two bus lanes in Derby were permanently opened to motorcyclists last week.
The move, by Derby City Council follows a year long trial allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes on Nottingham Road in Chaddesden, and on Uttoxeter New Road.
The trial, lasting for a year from May 2005, showed positive feedback from bikers, no casualties or incidents recorded by roadside and on-board bus videos, and a sustained increase in bikers using the bus lanes.
The monitoring showed an average of 54 bikers using the lane during the trial up from an average of 27 before the trial.
However, the results also showed an increase in average bus journey times on Uttoxeter Road in the morning peak of 33% and in the evening peak of 12%.
On the Nottingham Road there was an increase in average journey times of 12% in the morning peak and a decrease of 8% in the evening peak.
The majority of the journey is, however, beyond the bus lane where delays due to congestion are a problem.
The monitoring also showed a surprise rise in cyclists using the bus lanes, something the council had feared would decrease with the motorcyclist’s presence.
The monitoring also highlighted the problem of motorists using the bus lanes, and the police are now monitoring the situation.
Road safety manager, Stan Werbinski, said: ‘The scheme is the only one in the East Midlands, and the council now plans to extend it to other bus lanes in the city as appropriate, especially new ones.
‘Allowing bikes in bus lanes reduces traffic conflict, and promotes the use of two-wheeled transport, which is more sustainable than the car.’
The authority would closely monitor the scheme and review its operation when further data is available, he added.
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