Scheduled to end on July 5, the scheme is seen as a way to reduce rider vulnerability on the road and improve their visibility. So far, it has also led to an increase in motorcycle usage in London, MCI says.
“Given that the July deadline is now quite close, we are surprised that the Mayor has been silent about the future of the initiative. We feel that it is important to point out that allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes is a positive step towards improving transport accessibility for London citizens and in demonstrating the positive effect that motorcycling has in reducing traffic congestion and CO2 levels,” MCI CEO Steve Kenward said in a release.
“It is clear that allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes has been a positive step for motorcycling as a whole and a positive step for London, with increases in motorcycle use demonstrating this.”
However, MCI also asked for greater efforts into publicity and education aimed at making car drivers aware of motorcyclists in bus lanes, while motorcyclists also need to be aware that their speed is important when using bus lanes.
“However, it is now down to the Mayor and TfL to demonstrate that they are willing to apply a fair hand in how they regard the future of the scheme and focus on motorcycle safety education, awareness and positive ‘bill board’ publicity in the same way that they do for cycling – anything else would be both grossly unfair and demonstrate unjustifiable bias against motorcycling,” concluded Kenward.
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