Riding in bus lanes

Bus lanes here in London come under the Mayors office via tfl (transport for London).

I'd say more than 95% of bus lanes are open to bikers. A quick glance to see the blue and white sign at the start, to see if it includes the motorcycle symbol, will tell you if it's ok to be riding in it.

I say check, (v. important) because there are a few bus lanes where bikes are still banned. eg. up near Elephant & Castle, where the bus lane runs contra to a one way street, and that could be problematical. I think it also excludes bicycles and taxis.

But other than these few exceptions, which would no doubt remain under any change, its a great boon to us bikers in London to have this facility.

So when in London, always check the sign at the start of the bus lane.
 
On the gov website is a form to be filled in as part of a consultation. If places don't allow bikes in bus lanes then this is our way of stating whether or not we want it.

I don't recall the last time I went anywhere with bus lanes.
 
I got points on my license for driving a minibus and not using the bus lane!!!
Is it the same for bikes. Must you use them if it says you can?
 
Further to Dave and Michael's replies this consultation is on whether to make access to bus lanes the default position. While motorcyclists have been able to use some bus lanes for some time, access is neither universal or consistent across local authority boundaries.

Therefore you wouldn't need to look for signs as you would have the right to use them if the consultation is positive.
 
More on pay per mile and 20 limits;
freedomfordrivers.blog

London Assembly Report on Road User Charging - Freedom for Drivers Foundation

The Greater London Authority have published a report on road user charging (or “pay per mile” as it is known), after a public consultation. They got over
freedomfordrivers.blog freedomfordrivers.blog
freedomfordrivers.blog

Crackdown on anti-driver road schemes and blanket 20mph limits - Freedom for Drivers Foundation

The Department for Transport has published draft statutory guidance for councils on low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), setting out that they must gain buy-in
freedomfordrivers.blog freedomfordrivers.blog
 
The following press release was sent out to MAG members earlier today

2024-03-18

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

Act now: Motorcycles in bus lanes consultation.

​

The Government has launched a consultation on default access for motorcycles in bus lanes. MAG has been fighting for policy consistency on bus lane access for many years and urges all riders to respond to the consultation.

As part of the Government’s Plan for Drivers a consultation has been launched asking for opinions on allowing default access for motorcycles in bus lanes. The announcement was made on Sunday 17th March and the consultation is open until 9th June.



The Government’s news story led on other elements of the broad announcement. Mainstream media reported on these other issues including LTN’s and 20mph speed limits. MAG will be commenting on these issues separately. However, MAG was quick to spot the launch of the long-awaited bus lane consultation.



MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement said:

“It is perhaps not strange that a key policy for motorcycling slips past the headlines. But for motorcyclists throughout the country this really is an opportunity that must not be missed. The fight for motorcycle access in bus lanes has been fought one authority at a time for over three decades. A consistent national policy is long overdue. I would urge every rider in the country to spend five minutes responding to the consultation survey.”



The Government is suggesting two options. Option 1 is to do nothing and continue with the patchwork approach currently in place. Option 2 is to allow motorcycle access by default in all ‘with-flow’ and ‘contra-flow’ bus lanes in England and Wales. Scotland has devolved powers and cannot be included in this consultation, but MAG will push the Scottish Government to follow suit to create a UK-wide consistency. Northern Ireland already allows motorcycle access in all bus lanes.

Since the promise of this consultation was made last autumn, MAG has been seeking to get the consultation extended to cover bus gates. Disappointingly, the Department for Transport has not accommodated what we consider to be a logical extension to the discussion. MAG will continue to push for motorcycle access through bus gates and other traffic filters. We are therefore advising riders to mention bus gates and other traffic filters in the final question in the consultation survey.



ENDS

Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org





Notes for Editors



The full Plan for Drivers news story can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...anket-20mph-limits-to-put-local-consent-first

The motorcycles in bus lanes consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/motorcycles-in-bus-lanes

MAG resources including suggested consultation points will be published shortly on the MAG Let Us In campaign page here: https://mag-uk.org/let-us-in/
 
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