Motorbikes will be allowed in most of London’s bus lanes from today. The move is part of an 18-month trial set up by Transport for London and it is hoped it will help to cut congestion and accidents.
Boris Johnson had pledged to test the scheme as part of his election campaign. 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.’
However pedal cyclists have criticised the scheme and the London Cycling Campaign has petitioned the mayor. The LCC's chief executive Koy Thomson wrote in a letter to the mayor: ’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.’
The trial only applies to TfL lanes and bikers have been told to check the lanes are open to them before they enter.
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