[sustran] Motorbikes get to use bus lanes (London)

Sudhir sudhir at cai-asia.org
Thu Jan 8 10:03:44 JST 2009


Readers may find this interesting ( Source - BBC)


*Motorcyclists are now allowed to use some of London's bus lanes.*

>From Monday, motorcyclists will be able to ride in the restricted lanes for
an 18-month trial period.

Transport for London (TfL) said it hoped the measure would cut accidents and
traffic in the capital. The change will only apply to TfL bus lanes.

Pedal cyclists, who already use the lanes, have been against the scheme
claiming it would not improve safety or reduce congestion.

*Vulnerable road users*

The scheme is one of London Mayor Boris Johnson's election pledges.

He said: "I have long been staggered that while motorcyclists can use bus
lanes in many other cities and some of our boroughs they were not allowed to
use the TfL routes that criss-cross the capital.

"One of the ways we can ease congestion is by encouraging more people to get
on their bike, whether pedal or powered, and I believe they should be able
to share our bus lanes successfully and safely. "

In June last year the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) presented the mayor with
a 3,000-name petition asking him to reconsider the plans.

In a letter to the mayor, LCC's chief executive Koy Thomson said: "While we
would support measures to make motorcycling safer, such as a 20mph speed
limit, there is no clear environmental, safety or congestion reason for
allowing motorcycles into bus lanes."

Jeff Stone, of the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF), said allowing
motorcycles in bus lanes would make it safer "for all vulnerable road
users".

Read More : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7811062.stm &
http://www.mcia.co.uk/Public/Bus.aspx?OBJ_ID=1321720


-- 
Sudhir Gota
Transport Specialist
CAI-Asia Center
Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower,
ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
Tel: +63-2-395-2843
Fax: +63-2-395-2846
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia
Skype : sudhirgota
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