This year’s opening up some of London’s bus lanes to motorcycles has been a welcome development says the British Motorcyclists Federation, but experience over the first four months has shown many riders have incurred penalty notices through inadvertently using ‘closed’ bus lanes.

The BMF, instrumental in persuading Mayor Boris Johnson that opening up London’s bus lanes to motorcyclists would improve safety, say that because the only bus lanes opened up are on those ‘red routes’ governed by Transport for London (TfL), this has caused confusion amongst motorcycle users, especially newcomers to the system.

With the other bus lane routes under the control of London’s 33 local councils not being open to motorcyclists, bus lanes can change designation, sometimes on the same stretch of road, without riders always being aware, say the BMF.

The Old Street roundabout for example, has the bus lane on one side open to motorcycles, while on the other side it is not. Also the A5 changes several times along its length, as does the Euston Road.

The BMF have unsuccessfully tried to determine from the councils involved the level of infringement recorded, but from reports received from members, it is a significant problem.

The BMF is now proposing that:

TfL should take control of all of London’s bus lanes
Recognise a bus lane’s strategic importance and make them all red routes
The BMF say that this is a logical extension of TfL’s management of, and responsibility for, London’s bus service as a whole and it is therefore nonsense to split bus lane designations in this way.

Note 1:In March 2007 the Government issued a new Traffic Advisory Leaflet (TAL02/07) to Local Authorities that specifically encouraged a more objective assessment to be made of bus lane use by motorcycles.

Note 2: Existing Bus lane access sites: Bristol has operated a permanent bus lane access since 1996 and Reading since 1999. Other sites are in: Northern Ireland, Birmingham, Colchester, Derby, Bath, Hull, Swindon, Richmond on Thames, Newcastle on Tyne, Sunderland, Plymouth and the M4 bus lane. Still being trialled in London are the Finchley Road (A41) at St John's Wood to Hampstead, the A23 to the South and A13 to the East.

Spring is sprung and it is six months since we unveiled the all-new fuel-injected Bullet Classic to the British public at the NEC Bike Show. Since then we have taken delivery of the first batch of these machines and launched them to the British press. Road tests have recently appeared in Motor Cycle News, Motorcycle Sport & Leisure and The Classic Motorcycle, to name a few, and all agree that the new Classic combines authentic period styling with an exciting new engine.

“Ten percent extra power might not sound like much but it’s certainly made a difference to the Bullet” writes Peter Henshaw in Motorcycle Sport & Leisure. “It feels more sprightly from take off, more responsive and revvy … it’s now fast enough to keep up with modern traffic, able to cruise at 60mph and even hold an indicated 70 without feeling as if it’s flat out.”

James Robinson of The Classic Motorcycle has a similar impression; “And, for the first time perhaps, the firm now has a machine that while still looking old actually performs how a ‘modern’ motorcycle is expected to and does.”

Our initial batch of black Classics sold out immediately – green and red machines have followed and are now finding their way into the dealer network, so contact your local dealer to see one up close and don’t forget that the new Bullet Classic doesn’t just look good, it sounds good too.

“It’s the sort of noise someone needs to put on YouTube for everyone to appreciate” commented Peter Henshaw. So we did. 

Fourth annual Royal Enfield Open Weekend 20th and 21st June 2009

Four years ago we decided to host an official Royal Enfield event at our factory in the Cotswolds. We felt that it would be nice to offer existing and potential customers an opportunity to see the complete model range and to take one out for a test ride, but nothing could have prepared us for the crowds that descended on Blockley that first year. Since then the Open Weekend has gone from strength to strength, with many of our dealers and bike clubs organising ride outs to visit.
Held at the historic Watsonian-Squire sidecar factory close to Stratford-on-Avon, there is plenty to see and do at this relaxed event, with the added attraction of free entry and parking. Awards will be given for the best bike ridden to the Open weekend (one for each day - judged by Real Classic magazine) and all makes and models are welcome to enter. Jim Reynolds will be master of ceremonies over the weekend, providing a running commentary along with technical talks and celebrity interviews. Plus there will be IAM-escorted rides available on the new fuel-injected unit construction Classic and Electra models.

Other attractions include a sidecar factory walkabout, the famous food tent (serving excellent value freshly cooked food), live insurance quotes, spare parts counter and a chance to see the new collection of Royal Enfield branded casual clothing.

Really important information about test rides

If you want to take a machine out for a test ride then you will need to bring both parts of your driving licence, a road legal crash helmet and adequate riding gear. Rides will be accompanied by IAM instructors and are allocated on a first come first served basis. Watsonian Squire Ltd reserve the right to refuse test rides to anyone without giving a reason, (which sounds tough but we have to say it).

Dirty Beast gets an Injection

We will be launching the new Trials bike in May. Powered by the same unit construction fuel injected engine as the Electra, the Trials EFI is designed to capture the sprit of the ‘unstoppable Bullet’ in a package that will be comfortable to ride on today’s roads. In addition to the new engine the Trials gets vintage pattern block tread tyres for 2009, as well as a mini luggage rack to which a pillion pad seat may be attached. Watch out for press tests in May/June and see it up close at the Open Weekend.

Britain’s leading road safety charity, the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists), is set to offer Lancashire motorcyclists a short series of new Rider Assessment Days, with the support of RideSafe BackSafe.

The day-long courses will include both theory sessions and practical on-road assessments with fully qualified IAM Instructors, before finishing with constructive feedback and open discussions about road safety and issues of greatest concern to motorcyclists. RideSafe BackSafe Project Lead, Shelby Williams explains:

“RideSafe BackSafe is constantly promoting the benefits of rider skills training and we are delighted to be working closely with IAM on a project that sits at the heart of our own road safety initiative for bikers. The courses are focussed on the needs of motorcyclists as vulnerable road users and can open the door to more in depth skills training with IAM“.

The courses will all be held at Lancashire Police headquarters at Hutton, near Preston, on Saturday 23rd May, Saturday 13th June and Saturday 18th July. Each day will start at 9.30am with light refreshments and an introduction to the day’s timetable of activities and the final sessions should finish at around 3.30pm.

The cost is just £20 per person for one day. Any motorcyclist who wishes to attend should register in advance by eMailing their full name, address and day time telephone number to Shelby Williams at [email protected] with ‘IAM Rider Assessment Days’ in the subject box.

Visit www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk for more information about this training course and other options for motorcyclists in the North West and Greater Manchester regions.