BMF CALLS FOR MOTORCYCLE USE IN HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANES
14 December 2004 - BMF

The British Motorcyclists Federation has written to Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Transport, asking for confirmation that the recently announced High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on the M1 will be open for motorcycle use.

The 120,000 strong BMF, the UK’s largest and most influential rider organisation, point out that two HOVs, the Leeds A647 and South Gloucestershire A4174 Avon Ring Road, already allow use by motorcycles, as do numerous bus lanes.

A long time campaigner for greater use of bus lanes by motorcycles, the BMF say that not only is this a matter of improving traffic flow and reducing congestion, but use of HOV lanes by motorcycle in fact supports the basic premise of HOVs in that even without a pillion passenger, the motorcycle makes far more efficient use of road space than a car with driver and one passenger aboard.

The BMF also point out that recent statistics show improved motorcycle safety on the M4 where they are permitted to use the bus lane, and that Transport for London’s trial of motorcycles in bus lanes also demonstrated increased safety.

Commenting, Anna Zee, the BMF’s Director of Political and Technical Services said: “All the evidence shows from established HOVs and bus lane* use that these are an aid to improved safety. It’s now time to agree, as a matter of principle, that motorcycles should generally be permitted to use high occupancy vehicle lanes and bus lanes in order to minimise their risk while maximising their contribution to congestion reduction.”

www.bmf.co.uk

More News
  For December 2004
  From BMF
  For Travel
  Biker247.com Home Page