Cyclists’ barrage of objections to motorcycles in bus lanes

Cycle groups have stirred up a barrage of complaints about motorcycles in bus lanes while motorcyclists themselves aren’t showing support.

We risk losing access to London’s bus lanes unless we make our views known to the capital’s transport authority, according to the Motorcycle Industry Association.

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Spokesman Craig Carey-Clinch said Transport for London (TfL) had received “very few comments from motorcyclists” while “cyclist campaign groups are steadily orchestrating a build up of resistance to the measure”.

“TfL have already received large numbers of submissions from cyclists opposing motorcycles in bus lanes,” he said.

Motorcyclists have been allowed to share London’s red route bus lanes with cyclists since January 5 in an 18-month trial. But Carey-Clinch fears a campaign by a cycle group to derail the move will be successful.

He said: “We don’t want to see a situation where 5,000 cyclists have protested and 200 motorcyclists shown support. It’s this kind of thing that would shift the political balance against us.

“We risk losing the scheme at the end of the 18-month period unless the motorcycle world demonstrates widespread support for the measure.”

He urged motorcyclists to complete an online TfL survey here

Carey-Clinch added: “Failure of the scheme in London will be likely to cripple our chances of getting motorcycles in bus lanes elsewhere.

“Cycle lobby groups are motivated and determined. They see denying motorcycles access to bus lanes as a number one key goal. They have a strong and well motivated campaigning local network.

“They will do all they can to achieve their goal. Unless we respond to this, we risk seeing this hard won concession denied to us after the experimental period has finished.”