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

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"

The sixth edition of World Ducati Week, the massive event that unites and excites the Ducati community, has finished after four incredible days with a record-breaking attendance of 60,000 motorcyclists. Held at the Misano World Circuit on the Adriatic Riviera, the celebration - entitled the ‘Red Planet Returns’  - ran in soaring temperatures from Thursday, 10th to Sunday, 13th June to become one of the best ever in the event’s history.

While Italian Ducatisti made up 60% of the total attendance at WDW2010, the remaining passionate Ducati fans travelled from 28 nations and five continents to underline the huge international appeal of the Ducati brand. Owners from Europe, USA, Australia, Russia and India, united with those from Brazil, China, Malaysia and even Gabon and Nepal to celebrate their shared passion and loyalty to the Ducati brand.

Four sun-drenched Ducati days peaked on Saturday, 12th June when the full program of events climaxed in a spectacular knock-out drag race competition that featured Ducati MotoGP and Superbike team riders aboard asphalt-ripping Ducati Streetfighters. True to form, the eight riders – Battaini, Bayliss, Byrne, Checa, Fabrizio, Haga, Hayden and Stoner - put on a fantastic show from the moment they left the pit garages, playing to the crowds that filled Misano's paddock terraces. World Superbike Ducati Xerox Team rider, Noriyuki Haga won the photo-finish final, just  fractions of a second ahead of American former MotoGP Champion and current Ducati MotoGP Team rider, Nicky Hayden, with Troy Bayliss in 3rd and Casey Stoner in 4th.

Immediately after the all-star drag race, the riders joined Ducati’s top management - Gabriele Del Torchio, Claudio Domenicali and Filippo Preziosi – on stage before a stunning light and sound show pushed the evening’s excitement even further into the red.

The packed four-day program provided both entertainment and interaction for the 60,000 visitors, including events on the track and courses in the “Ducati University” presented by Ducati engineers, riders and managers from the Bologna-based manufacturer. While the Mangusta helicopter aerobatics display provided an incredible show in the air, stunt shows, vintage bike shows, motocross freestyle displays, dragsters and race track demonstrations by the Ducati Xerox Team provided the same on the ground. The event also staged concerts by four Ducati Bands, chosen from a list of local artists submitted by Ducatisti in the run-up to the event.

The massive WDW event has now become so big, it attracts sponsors and partners happy to  associate their name and image in such a dynamic environment. In addition to the Generali group, who already enjoy the prestige of being a Ducati MotoGP Team sponsor, AMG-Mercedes also took the opportunity to use the event for the presentation of their new Mercedes SLK ‘Naked’, a model inspired by the Ducati Monster, the icon of naked motorcycles.

 
Other significant brand names and companies involved in the success of WDW2010 included, Finance Planet Compass, who are part of the Mediobanca group and provided individual financial consultation for those wishing to buy their dream Ducati.

Italwin displayed and provided a testing area for their range of new Ducati licensed electric bicycles including the ‘Ducati City Pearl’ and  NCR presented their stunning new ‘NCR Millona 16’ alongside a range of NCR Ducatis and special parts produced in sophisticated materials such as titanium and carbon.

Taft, a dynamic range of Testanera professional hair products, organised a competition called ‘Style 'n' GO!’, while Toshiba presented the ‘Ducati Edition’ range of laptops and video cameras. Cartorama, the Italian leader in the field of stationery and school items, and Colombini, Italy's largest producer of children’s furniture both displayed their ‘Ducati range’ of products alongside KeyLine SpA, the leader in key-making technology, and DHL the world-famous package delivery service.

While WDW was entertaining people in Misano, Italy, the rest of the world enjoyed a virtual WDW online by connecting to the official website www.wdw2010.ducati.com, where more than 200 official photographs and 30 videos were uploaded in real time from the event. During the four days of WDW, a record 400,000 visits were also recorded on Ducati’s official Facebook page and over 60,000 people watched the action moment-by-moment by viewing videos on Ducati’s YouTube channel, making it the world’s most followed automotive channel that week.

WDW record-breaking numbers over 4 days:

•    60,000 visitors!
•    38 million km covered by Ducatisti in order to reach Misano - 80 times the distance between the earth and the moon!
•    21,000 traditional ‘piadinas’ eaten!
•    1.2 tons of sausages eaten!
•    8,600 litres of cold drinks and over 50,000 litres of mineral water consumed!
•    56,000 photographs taken by staff photographers!

The 2010 Isle of Man TT races finished in grand style today - quite literally, as the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Team came to town to celebrate Suzuki's 50th anniversary of International Racing, with Italian legend Loris Capirossi and the GSV-R 800 MotoGP machine.

With Capirossi making his maiden visit to the Island, the MotoGP rider, who started his 300th Grand Prix in Qatar at the start of the season, arrived on Thursday to acclimatise himself with the Isle of Man before riding the 37.73 mile course.

On the final, Dainese Senior Race day, Capirossi lead away the Suzuki parade on a Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 for his first ever lap of the famous TT course and afterwards commented, "This place is incredible. I've seen the TV footage before, but nothing prepares you for the TT course. The surface is much bumpier than I imagined and when you see the speeds that these guys run at, it is simply amazing. It's a fantastic event that you could never replicate anywhere else in the world."

As the final race of the week concluded, Suzuki signed-off the 2010 racing fortnight, with the first ever lap of the TT course by a MotoGP machine, with Relentless Suzuki by TAS TT racer Cameron Donald riding the GSV-R and setting a fastest top speed down Sulby straight at 202mph.

Donald commented, "Man, that was just amazing. I thought the bike would be really difficult and twitchy to ride, but it was great. I was expecting to ride a steady lap, but it was so good that I was able to get a great rhythm going and pick up a fast pace. In fact, it was so good, I reckon we need to get some regulation changes for next year as this thing with a few more laps on it, would really fly here."

Despite not looking to smash any records, Donald still managed to set a highest top-speed, with 202mph recorded on the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R down Sulby straight.

The Auto Cycle Union regret to announce that Paul Dobbs, 39, from Onewhero, New Zealand, was killed during the Supersport 2 race at the TT races in a racing incident at Ballagarey.

Paul was an experienced TT competitor with a best finish of sixth in the 400cc lightweight TT race in 2000. He first competed in the Isle of Man TT Races in 1999.

He was married with two children. The ACU wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to the rider’s family and friends.

Jim Parker, Chairman, ACU, commented: “Paul was a really popular rider in the paddock and was a great competitor. He was a very talented rider who made many friends in the racing community. He will be sorely missed.”