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Motorbikes now allowed in London's bus lanes

The London Cycling Campaign is highlighting the "disbenefits" of letting motorbikes mix it with cyclists in bus lanes

"It's behind you!" warn London Cycling Campaign's panto dames at the launch of Bus Lane Watch.

To mark the start of an awareness and monitoring campaign, London Cycling Campaign posed a pair of cycling panto dames bearing placards warning fellow cyclists "It's behind you!", advising them to watch out for motorbikes in bus lanes.

The publicity campaign is in response to the start of an 18-month trial permitting motorbikes into many London bus lanes. The trial is was a mayor campaign pledge by Boris Johnson, a cyclist.

LCC is warning cyclists and pedestrians to 'Be Aware, Take Extra Care' in bus lanes and have a chance to report any incidents involving motorbikes.

Bus Lane Watch cards started being distributed to cyclists in London this morning, informing them of the experimental trial of motorbikes in red route bus lanes and providing them with a web address where they can report experiences and incidents to the LCC.

During the trial, which started today, motorbikes are be permitted to use most of the bus lanes on the Mayor's red routes.

Koy Thomson LCC's chief executive said: "Putting motorbikes in bus lanes will not reduce motor traffic and will likely undermine the Mayor's targets for growth in cycling. The Mayor has set this up as a trial and it is vital that it is properly monitored and evaluated. We want to give cyclists and pedestrians an opportunity to report their experiences and to record incidents that take place in bus lanes."

More than 3500 people signed a petition presented to the Mayor in the summer of 2008 asking him to reconsider his decision on the issue. Previous trials of motorbikes in bus lanes have not, according to Transport for London, provided clear evidence of benefits to motorcyclists, but have the potential for 'disbenefits' to cyclists and pedestrians.

Transport for London will be running a consultation on the trial for a period of six months ending in July.

Published Monday 5 January 2009