Fresh guidance urges flexibilty on bus lanes

08 March 2007

Councils have welcomed fresh guidance issued to highways authorities on whether they should throw open bus lanes to motorcycles, but cyclists have criticised it as ‘dangerous’.
The Department for Transport has replaced its decade-old advice that motorcycles should not normally be allowed into bus lanes with a traffic advisory leaflet suggesting that councils ‘examine each case on its merits,’ considering ‘the positive and negative aspects’. The note stresses that the ‘general purpose of bus lanes is to improve bus reliability’ but points out that motorcycles, too, can ‘reduce overall congestion as they generally occupy less space than cars’. It warns that potential downsides – increased risk to pedestrians and cyclists, and from cars turning across the path of motorcycles – are carefully considered before proceeding. Despite this, highways engineers believed it would overcome the wariness in some authorities.
Tony Sharp, Institute of Highways Incorporated Engineers vice-president, said that motorcycles have used bus lanes in cities around the UK for years – for a decade, in Bristol’s case – with no safety disadvantages. He pointed to early evidence from a London trial which resulted in a 19% reduction in powered two-wheeler collisions in just 18 months (Surveyor, 6 October 2005). ‘There is significant potential to reduce crashes by providing motorcycles with access to bus lanes, so why not do it?’ The potential problems flagged up by the DfT were either issues that councils should be considering anyway, such as the potential for right-turning vehicle collisions, or catering adequately for pedestrians crossing. Sharp, who chairs the national motorcycle council’s traffic management group, hoped that the advice would be revised within five years with a more positive stance, in the light of further experience. But cyclists, by contrast, were alarmed at what they saw as a policy switch lacking evidence.
Charlie Lloyd, London Cycling Campaign cycling development officer, said: ‘There’s no evidence that there would be safety benefits from changing the policy. The only statistically-sound trial, in London, was inconclusive.’ Transport for London reported that the 18-month trial provided ‘no clear evidence of any safety benefit for motorcyclists using bus lanes’ (Surveyor, 6 October 2005). It was extended by a further 18 months to provide a more conclusive picture, however, and these results were due to be published ‘imminently’.
Lloyd claimed: ‘The DfT’s saying that councils should alter pedestrian facilities in order to encourage motorcycling, which goes against the protection of the most vulnerable road users.’ • Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/07: The Use of Bus Lanes by Motorcycles. www.dft.gov.uk

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login

Sign In

Fresh guidance urges flexibilty on bus lanes

order biaxin tablets

buying biaxin

ordering clarithromycin

Register now for full access

Login