Motorcyclists to be allowed in red route bus lanes

MOTORCYCLISTS are to be allowed to use most bus lanes under plans by Boris Johnson.

From 5 January motorcyclists will be able to share red route bus lanes with buses, cyclists and black taxis.

The move, to start on an 18-month trial basis, has been condemned by cyclists and the London Cycling Campaign has written to the Mayor warning him it could endanger the lives of cyclists and pedestrians.

If Transport for London and the Mayor see positive effects from the trial the measure will be made permanent. It will cover motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and tricycles but exclude motorcycles with sidecars. Mr Johnson said: "I am determined to make it easier to get from A to B in our great city. I have long been staggered that while motorcyclists can use bus lanes in other cities and some of our boroughs they were not allowed to use the red routes that crisscross the capital.

"One of the ways we can ease congestion is by encouraging people to get on their bike, whether pedal or powered," he added.

It follows a three-year study in which motorcyclists used the bus lanes in Brixton Road and Finchley Road. The number of collisions fell by 42 per cent. Cyclists questioned the results after former mayor Ken Livingstone dismissed the study, claiming it was misleading.

Tom Bogdanowicz, the cycling campaigns manager, said: "More motorcycle traffic will bring with it an increase in casualties for vulnerable road users."