Bikes in London Bus Lanes - not yet permanent, but a new trial is starting

[Greg Masters]

Dear Stakeholder

I am writing to you with reference to the current trial to allow Motorcycles in to most of the red route bus lanes in London. Transport for London (TfL) appointed the Transport Research Laboratory to conduct extensive monitoring of the trial and a link to their final report which is now available on the TfL website, is below. As you may already be aware, this trial is due to finish on the 4th July.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/finesandregulations/10151.aspx

In light of the findings of this existing trial, TfL will be implementing a new experimental scheme which will focus on the key areas identified within the report, speed enforcement and general road safety awareness. The Mayor did not feel that making the trial permanent was appropriate without giving further consideration to these findings.

Under the new scheme, motorcyclists will continue to be able to use the majority of red route bus lanes. In addition the scheme will aim to improve compliance with speed limits and ensure better road safety awareness for all road users, paying particular attention to motorcycles in bus lanes.

I would like to thank you for your continued interest in the existing trial and will be in contact again in the near future with further details of the new experimental scheme.

Yours sincerely


Beverley Hall
Head of Communications & Engagement
Surface Transport
Transport for London

 

[GSmonkey]

Wasn't Boris thretening to end it if the protests into parking charges didn't stop.

As you can only use red route bus lanes and a prohibited from contra flow bus lanes, it isn't the benefit I thought it was going to be anyway, so fuck 'em!

 

[BBB61]

Why are they procrastinating? They have spent years doing surveys and more surveys, yet other cities and towns around the UK have allowed bikes into bus lanes with no problems as a result.

 

[Slowdown]

Conclusions - Collision Rates on Studied Sites
The analysis implied:
Collision rates involving motorcycles significantly increased (at the
95% confidence level) on the Main sites, although some caution is
needed as the sample size is relatively small.
Collision rates involving cycles significantly increased (at the 95%
confidence level) on the Main sites, although, again, caution should
be applied as the sample size is relatively small.
Collision rates involving pedestrians did not significantly change.

I bet the news won't mention anything about the very small sample size.

 

[Charlie George]

Its not only the TFL Bus Lanes that should be made available to motorcyclists it should include all the local london boro bus lanes.


It should be all or nothing, travelling across London you don't know which bus lanes are open to us or not. You can be following a normal A road / trunk road and it can vary so you never know what is what. All you need to do is miss one sign and youve got a fine in the post.

Allowing us in Bus lanes is supposed to be for safety reasons but why is it not consistent.

Anybody going on the long way round demo? [19/06/10 12noon Ace cafe for circumnavigation of the M25]

 

[MMC]

Why are they procrastinating? They have spent years doing surveys and more surveys, yet other cities and towns around the UK have allowed bikes into bus lanes with no problems as a result.

Because the PTW-hating London Cycling Campaign nazis have them by the balls, so they're terrified to make it permanent in case they upset the beardie weirdies.

 

[MMC]

...travelling across London you don't know which bus lanes are open to us or not. You can be following a normal A road / trunk road and it can vary so you never know what is what. All you need to do is miss one sign and youve got a fine in the post.

Yup. That's the idea.

 

[Pauly S]

here here

Its not only the TFL Bus Lanes that should be made available to motorcyclists it should include all the local london boro bus lanes.


It should be all or nothing, travelling across London you don't know which bus lanes are open to us or not. You can be following a normal A road / trunk road and it can vary so you never know what is what. All you need to do is miss one sign and youve got a fine in the post.

Allowing us in Bus lanes is supposed to be for safety reasons but why is it not consistent.

Anybody going on the long way round demo? [19/06/10 12noon Ace cafe for circumnavigation of the M25]

I totally agree, consistency for all boros please,all rules the same, now is a good time.Boris are you listening?

 

[Pukmeister]

I'm forced to drive my company car through London most days due to tools and parts carried etc, the company won't pay for me to go by bike (plus I'm not insured for business travel by bike).

I'm always glad when the filtering bikes get to move into the bus lanes so I don't need to spend as much time scanning for the next filtering rider approaching behind me.

I much prefer to see the riders all making safe progress in the bus lane whilst I am inevitably forced to queue with all the other cage-driving muppets who choose to take their cars.

Come on Boris, do the right thing man !!!