London bus lane confusion

Jan 5th 2009 is that day that many London bikers have been waiting for for a long a time – the day when, following Boris’ election promise, many bus lanes in London will be opened up to motorcycles and scooters.

However, in the days leading up to this watershed many bikers using some currently available bus lanes have been bamboozled by the activities of Transport for London. A pilot scheme has been in place on the A41 and A23 for around four years and the bus lane signs have displayed the outline of a motorcycle to indicate that bus lanes were allowed in those lanes.

However, last week many of the bus lane signs on the A41 and A23 were removed and new signs were put up in their place – but these signs did not show a motorbike. Were these bus lanes to be ‘rested’ for a three weeks before motorcycles were allowed to join or was TfL trying to squeeze out some revenue from fines in the last few days before bikes would be allowed back in the lanes?

Following a number of email and telephone enquiries by MCN readers, the truth came out. In the words of one TfL employee it was a ‘big mistake’. The signs should never have been replaced. Other readers have received email assurances from TfL that motorbikes can ride in these bus lanes. So after some confusion and scratching of helmets, life returns to how it has been for the past few years, until the bus lane riders of the A41 and A23 will be joined by bikers from around London on 5th January.