The Government has announced that, following a consultation, it will not change policy, meaning that universal access for motorcycles to UK bus lanes will not become the default position.
This means that decisions on bus lane access for motorcycles will remain with local authorities.
The DfT’s decision has been met with anger and dismay by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) and National Motorcyclists Council (NMC). NMC’s Craig Carey Clinch decribed the decision as ‘extremely concerning’, while MCIA’s Tony Campbell says it is ‘shocking and disappointing’.
In announcing its decision, the DfT says the safety benefits of allowing motorcycles into bus lanes ‘are not clear’, adding that ‘where data is available, the evidence varies’.
It goes on to describe the response rate to the consultation by local authorities as ‘low’ and as such ‘did not provide a robust evidence base to amend current policy’.
The DfT consultation, conducted between March and July this year, sought the views of the public and local authorities on granting motorcyclists default access to all bus lanes, and attracted more than 14,000 responses.
NMC says that although responses from local authorities were ‘low in number’, over half who responded agreed that there are benefits in allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes. NMC goes on to say it is ‘likely that the low response rate was due to non-responding authorities having no clear concerns about the measure’.
However, of most concern to NMC is the DfT’s statement that “At present, the government has no policy to encourage greater use of motorcycles.”
Craig Carey-Clinch, NMC executive director, said: “It is extremely concerning that the Government has ruled out a measure that could contribute notably to motorcycle safety.
“With ministers stating a commitment to a new Road Safety Strategy, this announcement gives rise to concern that the strategy will not consider the more creative and supportive actions that are needed to improve motorcycle safety.
“Continuing the current approach to motorcycle safety, with a lack of support for strategic motorcycling policies, will do nothing to reverse the decline in casualty reduction rates that has been the picture since 2013.
‘The NMC calls on ministers to think again and to fully engage the motorcycle sector as it develops its Road Safety Strategy.”
MCIA says the consultation results reveal that 98% of individual respondents (13,885 out of 14,089) and 93% of stakeholder organisations (185 out of 198) supported the measure. The industry body goes on to describe the decision as ‘a stark departure from the previous government’s vision to embrace light, sustainable vehicles as part of achieving net zero emissions by 2050’.
Expressing ‘deep disappointment’, Tony Campbell, CEO of MCIA, said: “This decision is as shocking as it is disappointing. It flies in the face of clear evidence and overwhelming public support. It contradicts years of work promoting powered light vehicles (PLVs) as a sustainable transport solution.
“By rejecting default bus lane access, the Government has hindered the transition to lighter vehicles, sending a confusing and discouraging message to prospective users. This policy is not just a blow to riders but to Britain’s broader ambition to modernise its transport network and achieve net-zero goals.
“MCIA and its stakeholders will continue to advocate for policies that encourage the adoption of PLVs and deliver benefits to all road users.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The Government’s decision on universal access to bus lanes by motorcycle can be found here:
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