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Front Page
Focus On
Parliamentary Terms and Definitions
Behind the Lines
Safer Riding
Compensation Insurance Runs into Opposition
Diesel Spills Kill
Bikes in Bus Lanes
MAG Condemns Callous Behaviour
MAG Foundation
A New Charity the
"MAG Foundation"
MAG Changes
Ian Moore Acting Chair
Resignation of Chief Executive Henry Marks
Statement from Anne Gale on her Resignation
Local Group Meetings
Local Changes
Northern
Ireland News and AGM
Odds and Sods
Motoring Myths
Websites of the Month
Stolen Bike
MAG Events at MAG UK
Previous Issues
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BIKES IN BUS LANES
MAG would like to thank all those who responded to the Activist Email Army request to contact their MP through the Political Wizard on the introduction of a bill to allow access
for motorcycles in Bus Lanes across the UK.
The Ten Minute Rule Bill was introduced to the House of Commons by Mr Bill Wiggin (Conservative, Leominster) on Wednesday 22nd October.
The bill
was supported unopposed by Mr. Don Foster, Angela Watkinson, Mr. Mark Todd, Mr. Stephen Pound, Peter Bottomley, Dr. Brian Iddon, Mr. Robert Key, Mr. Adrian Flook, Mr. Bill Tynan, Mrs. Jackie Lawrence and
Mr. Roger Gale.
MAG turned up the heat on the issue by asking your MP for support.
The bill was to receive a second reading in the House of Commons on Friday 21st November 2003.
Unfortunately this did not take place because of parliamentary time constraints.
You can still read below the action MAG took on supporting the bill.
Background Information
Currently Central Government has delegated decisions on bus lane access to local authorities however the fact that an MP is suggesting a national policy is no bad thing as it
strengthens the probability of Central Government giving a clearer lead to local Government on this issue.
A national policy would negate the situation where neighbouring local authorities operate
different policies where a rider is allowed to use a bus lane in one authority area but has to leave when the authority boundary is crossed.
Access to Bus Lanes would allow the Government to
carry out their commitment to reduce congestion, improve safety and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The bill supports MAG's position on allowing PTW's in bus lanes by arguing that :
1 Bus lane use will help improve safety by moving smaller commuter PTW's such as scooters out of the main traffic flow.
2 Encouraging a module shift from increased car use as part of an
integrated solution to the problems of traffic congestion.
3 Allowing PTW's to play an essential role as the most practical means of personal transportation for those who cannot afford a car
thus alleviating social exclusion for the young person and those on low income.
4 Liberating road space for essential traffic and reducing damage to the roads infrastructure by virtue of the
elementary design and weight advantages of PTW's compared to other transport modes.
Notes:
Bus Lane use by PTWs is already allowed and successful in European cities such as Barcelona, Rome
and Stockholm.
In the UK, PTW access to bus lanes was introduced in Bristol in 1995 and has operated permanently since 1996. Reading's PTW access scheme was made permanent in 1999.
Forward thinking authorities have permitted PTW access Bath, Birmingham, Colchester, Hull, Swindon and the M4 bus lane.
Bus lane access is being trialled in London on the A41 Finchley Road between
Queens Grove North and Platts Lane during normal bus lane operating hours (7-10am and 4-7pm). Two more pilots are planned to follow on the A23 Brixton Road and A13 East India Dock Road.
THE ACTION
You can email your MP direct from the MAG’s Political Wizard from the MAG UK websiter at www.mag-uk.org simply go to the campaigns section type in your post code and the wizard will find your MP’s details, fill in your details and press the send button.
You can write to your MP using the suggested letter on the next page.
Or formulate your own from the information above.
All MPs details are available via the web www.locata.co.uk/commons
Suggested Letter to MPs re Bikes in Bus Lanes Bill
Dear [ Your MP ]
I am a member of your constituency.
I may have contacted you previously on the introduction of a bill under the Ten Minute Rule by Mr Bill Wiggin MP concerning the use of Bus Lanes by Powered Two
Wheelers (PTW's) Motorcycles and Scooters.
The bill was successfully introduced on Wednesday 22nd October and will now receive a second reading on Friday 21st November 2003.
I am
writing to ask if you would be prepared to support the second reading of the bill and offer my sincere thanks for your support so far.
The three main points introduced and argued successfully in the bill were:
1 Motorcycle admittance to bus lanes would improve motorcycle safety, which equals accident reduction.
2 Giving
people the incentive to filter past the traffic gridlock without the risks they currently face will encourage more to switch from their car, which will alleviate traffic congestion.
3 Encouraging
people to use a motorcycle benefits the environment, potentially helping the UK to achieve its ambitious commitment of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. by 2010.
I agree with Bill
Wiggin when he says that access to Bus Lanes would, “mean fewer people in cars, the alleviation of traffic gridlock, more lives saved through traffic isolation, a reduction in environmental damage
and a fulfillment of people's rights. It is a fair deal for motorcyclists.”
I hope you will support the bill and welcome your comments on this issue.
If there is any further information you require please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours Sincerely
[Your Name]
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