BIKES SHOULD SHARE CARPOOL LANES SAY BMF
30 March 2005 - BMF

News that Transport Secretary Alastair Darling is considering a new ‘congestion-busting carpool lane on the M25’ has led to the British Motorcyclists Federation asking that motorcycles be included in such a scheme.

Following approaches from the BMF over the trial of a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on the M1, the Highways Agency confirmed that motorcycles would be allowed in these lanes, so despite the subtle name change to ‘carpool lane’, the BMF still expects the same rule to apply.

Speaking after contacting the Highways Agency, BMF Government Relations Executive, Richard Olliffe, said that he was awaiting official confirmation but fully expected that motorcycles would be able to use such lanes.

His main concern now was that the apparent renaming of HOV lanes to ‘carpool lanes’ may mean that only vehicles registered to a national carpool system will have legal access to carpool lanes with enforcement carried out by automatic number plate recognition systems. Richard said: “It’s important that we get this clarified because if electronic enforcement is used, either all bikes will need to be registered as well, or more likely, exempted but allowed access.”

The Highways Agency is to look at whether a carpool lane could be installed on the M25 between junctions 12 - 15 (M3 - M4), to encourage drivers to share cars, reduce congestion, and help the environment.

The section of motorway under consideration is already being widened to provide either five or six lanes in each direction and the carpool lane could help make the best possible use of this additional capacity say the Highways Agency.

www.bmf.co.uk

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