Cyclists try to keep motorcyclists out of bus lanes

A cycling group has launched a bid to block access to bus lanes for motorcycles.

The London Cycling Campaign claims it will lead to more pedestrian and cyclist casualties. The group has launched a petition asking London Mayor Boris Johnson to reconsider his decision to let us use bus lanes in the capital – a move likely to be copied across the UK.

Tom Bogdanowicz, LCC’s campaigns manager, said: “Providing new high speed channels for motorcycles along major roads will inevitably increase motorbike use.

“More motorcycle traffic will spread to all streets in London and will bring with it an increase in casualties for vulnerable road users. We’re asking our supporters to urge the Mayor to consider the safety impact on all London streets for every road user before any decision on allowing high-speed vehicles into bus lanes is made.”

“It is well established that motorcycles are involved in a greater proportion of collisions per kilometre with pedestrians and cyclists than are cars.”

LCC’s petition states: “We, the undersigned, request that London Mayor Boris Johnson does not make a snap decision to allow motorbikes to use bus lanes, a move that could endanger the lives of cyclists and pedestrians, based on data that Transport for London said was ‘not considered sufficiently reliable to inform a decision on such an important issue’.”

Read it here: www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1145