Motorcycles in Bus Lanes
This article is a draft.
Background
The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF), together with pro-motorcycling elements within Transport for London, the Metropolitan Police and Croydon Council, are pushing for powered two wheelers (PTWs, aka motorcycles and mopeds) to be allowed to share bus lanes with pedal cyclists. The BMF is claiming that this will improve safety for PTW users without compromising the safety of vulnerable road users such as pedal cyclists and pedestrians.
Tactics of BMF and allies
The tactics employed by the pro-motorcycling forces is to use local trials of PTWs in bus lanes to "prove" that "there isn't a problem". These trials are far too small scale to produce statistically meaningful accident data [information to be added]. Meanwhile they are purposely ignoring [information to be added] the Department for Transport's national accident data, which shows clearly and consistently that motorcycles are, in fact, extremely dangerous to vulnerable road users; in fact, significantly more dangerous than cars.
This page and its linked pages explain the true picture, referencing solid data from authoritative sources.
Why shouldn't PTWs be allowed in bus lanes?
Motorcycles and mopeds should not be allowed in bus lanes for multiple reasons:
Safety: The BMF suggests that PTWs are not a serious danger to vulnerable road users. Yet DfT road accident data shows conclusively that PTW use is almost twice as hazardous to pedal cyclists as car use, and at least 3 times as dangerous to pedestrians. The BMF also suggests that PTW users are as much victims of pedestrian and cyclist behaviour as vice versa. Yet DfT road accident data shows the true risks are appallingly one-sided.
Air quality: DfT measurements show that PTWs are far more polluting than cars. Croydon Health Authority and the Greater London Authority have both said that poor air quality kills many Londoners each year. Therefore, measures that may lead to an increase is the use of PTWs, and which will bring PTW exhausts nearer to both cyclists and pedestrians, should be avoided.
Policy: Permitting PTWs to use bus lanes is likely to discourage the take-up of pedal cycling. This flies in the face of local and national government objectives to encourage green forms of transport.
These issues are covered in more detail, with references, on other pages - just follow the links.
