Category: Organisations

1. Bus Lane Use - Nearly but not Quite say bmf

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 17th Jun 2010

   News that a new ‘motorcycles in bus lanes’ trial will be run in London’s red route bus lanes has been met with a cautious welcome by the British Motorcyclists Federation.

   Having actively campaigned for wider bus lane use for over fifteen years, London’s current eighteen-month trial, ending on July 5th, followed a commitment from Mr Johnson given to the bmf in the run up to the Mayoral elections, so while pleased at the trial’s qualified success, the bmf is nevertheless disappointed that yet another trial is being introduced and the effective this will have on other local authorities.

   The bmf knows that many local authorities with bus lanes are already cautious over opening them up to motorcycles and this further trial will do nothing to encourage them to introduce bus lane use. The independent report on the existing trial, carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), found that ninety-three per cent of motorcyclists and 51 per cent of cyclists and car and van drivers supported the ‘Motorcycles in Bus Lanes’ trial and that fears of an increase in cyclist collisions with motorcyclists were unfounded.

   The report actually found that there was a fall in the cyclist collision rate across trial bus lanes and despite 51 per cent of motorcyclists switching to bus lane use, there were no fatal accidents over the period of the trial. It was also found that motorcycle journeys were now more than 10 per cent quicker than those not using bus lanes and 36 per cent quicker than cars.

   Against the positives, the report found that there was a slight increase in the rate of motorcyclist collisions, predominantly with cars turning into or out of side roads, hence says Transport for London, the need for a new trial with greater education of other road users.  Driver awareness is blamed as a key factor and says the bmf, if bus lane access was more widespread across the UK, drivers would become more aware and thus reduce accidents.

   Commenting on the report the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said that the initial trial has shown some positive results and that “the chaos that was predicted by some doomsayers has clearly not materialised and, as I suspected would be the case, we have found substantial support for the measure.”

   The bmf’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder commented: “While we’re pleased with a continuation of bus lane use, the bmf are keen for other local authorities to allow motorcycles access to bus lanes and therefore to change expectations of who or what might be there. We are however pleased to see that the Mayor has decided to address this problem with a better awareness advertising campaign."

   For the TfL report
   

2. London Mayor Extends Motorcycle Access to Bus Lanes

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 17th Jun 2010

   Mayor Boris Johnson has today announced he will continue to allow motorcycles to use bus lanes, operated by Transport for London (TfL), for the time being. Johnson observed, ' The chaos that was predicted by some doomsayers has clearly not materialized and, as I suspected would be the case, we have found substantial support for the measure."
   
   An 18-month experiment was carried out to see if a permanent arrangement would improve road safety and the various studies reveled:
   
   .       More than half (51 per cent) of motorcyclists switched from riding on the outside of the road to the bus lanes   
   
   .       Fears of an increase in cyclist collisions with motorcyclists were unfounded  
   
   .       Journeys made by motorcycles using bus lanes were, on average more than 10 per cent quicker than those not using bus lanes and 36 per cent quicker than cars
   
   Rides are Voters (RAV) welcomed the news but warned that riders, TfL and other road users must all play their part in making bus lanes safe for riders everyone
   
   The Mayor has done the right thing after taking this opportunity to look at the real causes of collisions. Once again it has been shown that allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes has created no greater risk for riders and other vulnerable road users.
   
   "However, the findings seem to show that both motorcycle users and pedal-cyclists may be bearing the brunt of falling driving standards." said MAG General Secretary, Nich Brown
   
   RAV supports TfL advice that drivers need to be sure they are not putting anyone at risk, especially when turning across bus-lanes at junctions. However, the group warned that simply relying on an appeal for better driving and enforcement of motorcycle speeding offences will not address the fundamental problem of poor junction design where collisions have increased.
   
   Riders are Voters are calling on TfL to investigate low-cost improvements and new junction designs. Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motor Cycle Industry commented " This news of continued access to bus lanes is a positive step in the right direction.  Bus Lane access has worked well across the country and if TfL are willing to look at improving junction design on some of the busiest roads in the UK, then riders and other road users outside of the Capital will also benefit.."
   
   Chris Hodder of the British Motorcyclists Federation (bmf) said. "Continued access to bus lanes for riders in London is fantastic news.  The comprehensive refutation of many of the claims of those opposed shows that arguments against allowing motorcycles into bus lanes are rapidly evaporating under close scrutiny.  Obviously there is still a problem with driver awareness, but we are pleased to see that the Mayor has decided to? address this with better advertising as a first step."
   
   RAV has also called on the DfT to support the extension of motorcycle access to bus lanes everywhere. Nich Brown said:  "The efforts made by TfL to get things right should be supported by all local councils who operate bus lanes. In particular, those London boroughs who currently deny access for motorcycles should consider the adverse effect they are having on road safety by creating confusion and lack of consistency. Road safety will be maximised once all road users know to expect to see bikes legitimately using all bus lanes"

3. Westminster Residents And Businesses Launch Petition Against Motorbike Parking Charges

   Posted on 12:00am Friday 11th Jun 2010

   Residents in Westminster have shown signs of losing patience with the Council over its insistence on retaining motorcycle parking charges in the face of massive opposition from the biking community.
   
   The petitioners say: “We are sure that very few have escaped having their daily commute in Westminster blighted by the recent series of demonstrations by angry motorcyclists campaigning against the introduction of parking charges for motorcycles. Whilst originally infuriated, and initially assessing their complaint to be selfish and inconsiderate, we took it on ourselves to look more closely at the basis of their complaint and, having seen irrefutable evidence of a total lack of genuine justification for the City Council to impose a levy where there has never historically been the need, we have compiled a petition on our website” 
   
   www.wccpetition.co.uk
   
   Warren Djanogly, Chairman of the No To Bike Parkign Tax Campaign, said: "It seems that residents are now more aware than ever of the way in which this Council has blatantly ignored thousands of bikers, and are continuing to line the pockets of the private companies contracted to enforce these charges, at a cost to the rate-payer of over £400,000." 
   
   Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said; “There is massive opposition to Westminster Council’s motorbike parking charges from residents, commuters and local businesses. There is no justification for charging motorbike owners to park on the street. No other Council charges. The Westminster motorbike parking tax is all about raising money for Westminster Conservatives so that they can plug a big hole in the Council’s finances.” 
   
   “This is a time for common sense to prevail. The motorbike parking charge is Westminster’ s ‘poll tax on two wheels’ and like the poll tax it is hated and should be scrapped” 

4. MCI Calls on The Mayor to Make Motorcycles In Bus Lanes Permanent in London

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 1st Jun 2010

   With the experimental scheme which allows motorcycles to use bus lanes in London due to end on July 5th, the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) has today called on the Mayor and Transport for London to make the initiative a permanent feature on London's roads.
   
   Allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes helps commuters gain easier access to areas of London without the need to mix with other traffic on certain key routes. This helps to reduce rider vulnerability on the overall road space and improve their visibility. The scheme has led to an increase in motorcycle usage in London, with more miles travelled in 2009 compared to other years. An interim report on the initiative (Nov 2009) noted that the scheme did not impact negatively on bicycle safety and against the expectations of cycle lobbyists, a majority of cyclists were happy to share bus lanes with their motorcycling brethren.
   
   However, motorcyclists need to be aware that they are still vulnerable to cars and other traffic pulling across bus lanes from side roads and MCI is today calling for Transport for London to put greater efforts into publicity and education aimed at making car drivers aware of motorcyclists in bus lanes - in the same way that they do for cycling. Motorcyclists also need to be aware that their speed is important when using bus lanes - too fast and avoiding a car that pulls out becomes more difficult. This is where enforcement and the police-led 'Bikesafe' has a key role to play.
   
   Steve Kenward, MCI's Acting CEO said: "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.
   
   "Industry is also saying that TfL has a duty of care to ensure motorcycle safety. In this case, duty of care policy needs to be applied in the same way that it is towards cycling. This means putting more effort into educating both car and motorcycle users about safety and bus lanes. Precisely the same issues affect cyclists in bus lanes and on other London roads... as witnessed by the noticeable increase in cycling casualties (up nearly 8% in 2008) which has occurred since efforts were made to promote cycling in London, but cycles continue to be allowed into bus lanes in recognition of their role as an important transport mode.
   
   "Given that it is clear that cycling has been shown coexist in a safe way with motorcycling in bus lanes, we consider it to be paramount that the positive thinking that is applied to reducing cycling vulnerabilities in bus lanes is also applied to motorcyclists. Safety must not be used once again as an excuse to deny motorcycling equal treatment with cycling. Such a policy would be unbalanced and would actually sustain poor motorcycle safety records and deny Londoners transport choice.
   
   "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, 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."

5. Pack your riding skills for a safe staycation

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 27th May 2010

   With so much talk about disrupted flights, deficits and difficult times ahead, road safety officers are expecting many more people to take a ‘staycation’ this year. This will undoubtedly mean more people driving long distances, but a particular concern is for motorcycle riders who will load their bikes with pillion passengers and luggage, to ride to holiday destinations as far afield as Cornwall and Scotland.

   Warwickshire’s Road Safety Unit is expecting to see increased numbers of motorcycle tourers travelling from – and through – the county during June, July and August, as Road Safety Officer Stephen Rumble explains; “Many local motorcycle riders will pack up and head for popular UK holiday destinations, as well as big motorcycling events such as the Isle of Man TT races, European rounds of Moto GP races and Superbike championships. Most probably don’t travel with a fully laden machine for 95% of the year and don’t regularly ride long distances, so a few hints and tips would help for safer long distance travels. Now is probably the best time to take a day off and polish up your riding skills. A perfect solution is offered by the county councils’ own ‘Take Control’ scheme; which includes a dedicated one-day assessment for full licence holders at a subsidised rate of just £30“.     

   The Road Safety Unit is also recommending that motorcyclists service their bikes before they go, check that their road tax, MOT and insurance are all valid for the trip and adjust their tyre pressures to allow for the extra weight. Stephen Rumble continues; “Take Control is tailored to individual riders needs and our experienced and friendly instructors can help with touring tips for a safer journey.”

   Information about the free and subsidised Take Control scheme for motorcyclists who live in, or travel through Warwickshire, can be found at www.takecontroltraining.co.uk Bookings can also be made seven days a week by calling 0845 370 91 91.