Motorcyclists could get use of bus lanes in Leicester
Motorcyclists could be allowed to ride down some of the city's bus lanes as part of an experiment to cut traffic congestion.
Councillors have asked for an investigation to be carried out to see if bikers could be permitted to take advantage of bus-only zones on main routes in and out of the city – with a view to arranging a trial period.
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Motorcyclists could get use of bus lanes in Leicester
The move results from a request by the Leicester and District Motorcycle Action Group which wants the city to follow the example of other cities and towns in opening up bus lanes to motorcyclists.
London, Birmingham, Belfast, Bedford, Swindon, Reading, Hull and Sunderland have all, to some extent, allowed access to cyclists.
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Action group spokesman Ian Underwood has told the council's transport scrutiny commission he would like bikes to be able to use bus lanes in Hinckley Road, Welford Road, Uppingham Road, Aylestone Road, and London Road.
He told members he thought the step would improve traffic flows and cut congestion and air pollution.
Commission chairman councillor Neil Clayton said: "We listened to evidence from the motorcyclists and felt it would be worth considering a trial period where they could use the bus lanes and see what impact that would have.
"It would be for the city's arterial routes, not the bus gates in the city centre.
"We have passed on a recommendation to the council's executive to consider it."
Coun Clayton said there had been requests from private hire taxi operators to be granted bus lane access. Licensed hackney cabs are allowed to share the lanes with buses.
He said: "They want to be treated the same as hackney cabs but we thought that wasn't a good idea because it will lead to confusion."
Motorcyclist Steven Collins, 37, from Aylestone, said: "I might want to use a bus lane at times when there are not many buses running but I'm not sure how safe it would be in busy periods.
"Buses are big things with poor visibility for the drivers, while bikers are small and hard to see. It's not a good mix."
Biker Glenn Crawford, 40, of Thurmaston, said: "No thanks. "It's not necessary because clever bikers will be able to beat jams by passing between cars."
6 Comments
by 4_Stroke
Monday, February 25 2013, 7:10PM
“Great news. About time too.
It has been tried in London and has proven to be effective.
TFL Quote...Benefits include reduced journey times for motorcyclists and less carbon dioxide emissions. The safety of motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users is unaffected.”
by wayne65
Monday, February 25 2013, 3:00PM
“Motorcyclists already use bus lanes, illegally be it, but they do. On my commute by bicycle to work, the same two or three motorcyclists use the bus lane along Hinckley Rd/King Richards Rd daily!!!
Allowing them to use bus lanes legally is like allowing them a race lane! Will a motorcyclist stick to the speed limit when there is a a clear open road ahead of them , doubtful!!! If you think cyclist are a pain coming up the inside lane, think a bout how much a bigger pain it will be having a similar sized mode of transport with much more speed!!!
Dangerous idea!!!!”
by MrPLeics
Monday, February 25 2013, 2:11PM
“**** That was meant to be 2 hrs a day!****”
by MrPLeics
Monday, February 25 2013, 2:09PM
“What would be a very good idea is to paint the bus lane times on the road.... most bus lanes around the city are only bus lanes for 22hrs a day.... The rest of the time they can be used by all but seldom are.”
by colarrey
Monday, February 25 2013, 10:35AM
“Well there's an accident waiting to happen!
What will be the response of drivers on hearing a siren behind them?
Move out of the way into the empty bus lane to let the emergency service by.
Also, the last time I saw traffic snarled up by motorcyclists was when leaving Donington Park, when 90% of vehicles attending were bikers.
And it didn't take log for them to clear either.”
by phreakdown
Monday, February 25 2013, 9:55AM
“What percentage of Leicester's traffic is motorcycles? less than 1%? and what percentage of that number are experienced motorcyclists and not kids on mopeds and scooters?
Kids on scooters are only going to deter cyclists from using this infrastructure.
I don't see an argument for allowing them into the bus lane with cyclists. I can't think of another city in the UK that allows it?”