M-way lane win for bikes

Riders will be allowed to use Britain’s first car-pool motorway lane whether or not we carry pillions.

The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane is being trialled on the M1 between St Albans, Herts and Luton, Beds (Junctions 7-10) from Autumn next year. If it works it will be extended up to Junction 13 (Milton Keynes South).

And while car drivers going solo will find themselves barred from the lane, bike riders can continue to use any lane we wish – with or without a passenger on the back. And with potentially five per cent less cars on the road as a result (according to the Government), riders should find more space, too.

The Government is keen to encourage car sharing to “make better use of existing road space,” according to Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.