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BIKES IN BUS LANES – COMMONS DEBATE
In brief:
Basically sets out the future for motorcycle use in bus lanes.
The Conservative shadow Transport Minister Owen Paterson but forward a new clause to the bill to open all bus lanes to motorcycles.
After a debate although the motion and clause were withdrawn there was some firm commitment from Dr. Ladyman on motorcycles in bus lanes but it would be down to local authorities with positive guidance from government.
The guidance that is mention is included in LTN 1/97 "Keeping Buses Moving", produced in 1997 it says, that motor cycles should not normally use bus lanes.
The National Motorcycle Council group on Traffic Management, Planning & Transport Policy is meeting in the last week of June and will be looking at a revision of LTN 1/97 "Keeping Buses Moving" to make it less 'negative' to motorcycles and reflect current practice/experience.
Road Safety Bill Commons Committee Stage Morning Session 20 April 2006
The other proposals that were withdrawn included a new Conservative clause that would allow motorcycles to use bus lanes.
'There is convincing evidence that the use of bus lanes by motorcycles reduces the vulnerability of motorcyclists without affecting the vulnerability of other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists', Conservative shadow Transport Minister Owen Paterson said.
Dr Ladyman replied that it was likely that the Government would be changing the guidance to local authorities in order to recommend that motorcycles should be allowed in bus lanes.
The amendment was withdrawn.
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