Pilot scheme lets bikes in bus lanes

Transport for London (TfL), Mayor Ken Livingstone’s transport thinktank, has just begun an important new pilot scheme which could see the opening of all the capital’s bus lanes to bikes.

From this week (September 9) motorcyclists will be allowed to use the bus lane on the A41 Finchley Road between Queens Grove North and Platts Lane. Two more pilots will follow later in the year along the A23 Brixton Road and A13 East India Dock Road.

A statement from the Mayor’s Transport Strategy Street Management (TfLSM) reads: ” The Mayor’s Transport Strategy recognises that motorcycles offer quick, relatively low cost private transport. It also notes concern at the high number of accidents involving motorcycles.

” TfLSM has been working with motorcycle groups to design this bus lane usage pilot to ensure it is safe for all road users, including cyclists who are already allowed in bus lanes. ”

There are now eight bus lane schemes running countrywide: the M4, Bristol, Birmingham, Colchester, Hull, Reading and Swindon.