Comment: open bus lanes

On the face of it, plans to allow motorcyclists to use bus lanes seem likely to endanger both pedestrians and cyclists. But this has not been the result of a three-year trial in Finchley Road and Brixton Road. A study by Transport for London demonstrated that allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes actually resulted in a reduction in collisions of more than 40 per cent. There have been similar schemes in other areas, including Bristol and Bath, with similar positive results.

Given the evidence it is right that the Mayor, Boris Johnson, has told TfL to go ahead with plans to extend the scheme across London. Obviously, cyclists will worry about the presence of motorcyclists but since the pilot tests have proved that all road users, including pedestrians, are actually safer as a result of opening up bus lanes, that is the right way to go. And if the extension of the scheme does not reduce accidents, then the decision can and should be reversed.