Motorbikes and scooters in bus lanes

[ZXR]

Can somebody tell me if motorbikes and scooters are allowed to use bus lanes during their hours of operation. A link / quote to the relevant bit of the highway code would be most welcome.

[Ethel]

No

http://www.brent.gov.uk/faqs.nsf/0/50683b4403d 1dc4c80256f380049cbf2!OpenDocument


But a trial is due to start in London:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article -23578218-details/Motorcyclists+to+be+allowed+ in+red+route+bus+lanes/article.do

[Ethel]

You may find this useful - it shows the different signs applicable to bus lanes - some are bus only; some bus and taxi; some bus, taxi and pushbikes


If motorcycles or scooters were allowed the sign would have to make it very clear:

http://www.ticketfighter.co.uk/bus.htm

[ZXR]

Many thanks for that info Ethel, much appreciated. This was a discussion at work over the rules and someone showed us this website which seem to claim that motorbikes are allowed to use bus lanes during the hours of operation. It's a website for civil enforcement of traffic regs outside of London.

http://www.patrol-uk.info/site/scripts/documen ts_info.php?documentID=10&pageNumber=2

Quote
A bus lane is a dedicated lane on a roadway separated by a thick white line and marked as a bus lane with signs that indicate the times during which - or at any time - only buses may use the lane and other vehicles are restricted from entering it - with the exception of taxis and motorcycles.

[Ethel]

No - it's with the exception of taxis and pushbikes, and as you have seen, that does not apply to all bus lanes -some are solely for buses.

It's worrying that such an error should appear on a website.

[nogginthenog]

London Mayor Boris Johnson has instructed Transport for London (TfL) to ensure that motorcycles are allowed to use the capital�s bus lanes before the end of the year.

Sign our petition to open bus lanes to motorcycles
Johnson issued the instruction as part of a series of measures he wants to see introduced to cut congestion in the city, after a TfL report showed traffic flow in London remains poor despite the introduction of the congestion charge in 2003.

Allowing motorcycles access to bus lanes could reassure motorcyclists who have been worried the Mayor might go back on a pre-election pledge to open up bus lanes to motorcycles.

Johnson�s commitment to the plan appears to have wavered in recent weeks, following strong protests against the scheme from cycling lobby groups.

Johnson said the congestion charge had been successful in cutting the number of vehicles entering London, but had failed to cut congestion. �I am therefore introducing a more comprehensive approach to easing congestion in London,� he said.

The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) was quick to welcome Johnson�s move. �A TfL report proved the safety benefits of motorcycles using bus lanes, and we�re very pleased that Mr. Johnson has stuck by his word,� BMF spokesman Chris Hodder said.

[Toureman]

Good answer by The Nog !

One point he missed was that if bus lanes in London are opened to Motorcycles it is highly likely that a lot of local councils will follow London and open theirs to Motorcycles.

The former London mayor suppressed a report that accidents in bus lanes were reduced when they ran a trial opening of them in London due to thinking if he opened them to Motorcyclists he would lose the next election which he lost anyway!

[=rizla=]

It depends, some area's you can, ie bristol, bath, reading etc. http://www.parkingforbikes.com/news-info/bikes -and-bus-lanes-96-motorcycle-use-closer-say-bm f

If motorbikes can use them then it states it in the sign http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/motorcyclesbuslanes