Bikes in bus lanes starts in Swindon

Swindon Borough Council has become the latest authority to start allowing Motorcycles to use bus lanes.

The council has started the scheme as a part of twelve-month trial on selected routes and intends to extend the scheme if it is successful.

Motorcyclists will only be able to use bus lanes where the sign specifically includes use by bikes. Signs should start to go up on March 10. The council has warned however that not all bus lanes are included and motorcyclists found using bus lanes not included in the scheme will be dealt with in the normal way.

Swindon council got the go-ahead for the scheme from the Department of Transport but asked bikers to use the lanes safely and with due consideration for other traffic and pedestrians to make sure that the scheme can be extended.

Other authorities already experimenting with similar schemes include Reading, Hull, and London, while Bristol is allowing bikes to use bus lanes on a permanent basis. Norwich and Cheltenham have already rejected the proposal.

The Association of British Drivers agrees with motorcyclists being allowed to use bus lanes but thinks that the scheme should be extended to allow high occupancy cars and other essential services, such as Doctors, Nurses or Midwifes, breakdown services, and ‘meals on wheels’ providers, to use the lanes as well.

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