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Scots champion the motorcyclists' cause
Executive believes bikes are 'beneficial transport mode' - By Robin Mannering.
Scottish highways authorities have been advised to open up bus lanes to motorcyclists and promote powered two-wheelers as a legitimate and beneficial' transport mode in local policy.
New Scottish Executive guidance urges authorities to recognise the benefits of motorcycle use, in terms of transport planning issues, and consider the role of powered two-wheelers in helping reduce congestion and emissions.
As such, it advises councils to consider motorcycle access in bus lanes "where cyclists and pedestrian safety is not an issue', such as the priority bus lane on the A90 Edinburgh to Fraserburgh road. It cites Department for Transport guidance issued in March (Surveyor, 8 March), which places the onus on the individual authority to 'weigh up the benefits and dis-benefits of permitting use'.
Pointing to DfT and Transport for London trials, the executive's guidance says there is no evidence of increased accidents 'to substantiate the perceived higher risks of allowing PTWs into bus lanes'.
Councils are challenged to maintain and improve their roads with motorcyclists in mind, who are especially vulnerable to poor highways design. 'It is imperative that laid-down design criteria are fully complied with for the benefit of all road-users,' the guidance states.
It seeks to address a 'gap in the advice available to road engineers' regarding requirements for the safety of motorcyclists.
Elsewhere, councils are advised to provide secure parking facilities at transport interchanges and other areas where demand is high, to mitigate the likelihood of theft and minimise unofficial parking.
Local authorities should also engage in 'frank examination' of the drawbacks to motorcycling, such as safety and noise and vehicle pollution concerns.
www.scotland.gov.uk
From the ‘Surveyor July 2007’
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