Tag Archives: bus lanes

News

Motorcycles in bus lanes trial extended

Leave a comment

Motorcyclists can now use more bus lanes in Melbourne indefinitely under an extension to an already six-year bus-lane trial.

The Victorian Government started a “six-month trial” in Hoddle St in 2011 allowing riders to use the bus lane in peak periods. The trial was extended in 2017 with the Fitzgerald St bus lane added, but still no report has been issued.

Now the trial will be expanded to include the Eastern Freeway inbound from the Chandler Highway to Hoddle Street, and Victoria Parade between Hoddle Street and Brunswick Street.

It is believed the trial bas been extended to five years but calls to VicRoads and the government could not clear up the time period.

Three-year battle

Victorian Motorcycle Council media spokesman John Eacott says they have battled three years to get the trial extended.

“I fronted one of the senior VicRoads guys at the Minister’s Motorcycle Expert Advisory Panel after he said they were unsafe,” John says.

“I tackled him about using statistics from outside the bus lane times and he was sent away to do further research.

“At least we’ve now got this.”

However, John is concerned that the trial is being funded by the Motorcycle Safety Levy to which the VMC has long objected.

“No other section of the road-using public has to fund their own safety. It’s appalling,” he says.

Bus lanes

Bus lane in use in London lane filtering happiest commuters A British survey has found that riding a motorcycle makes you safer on a bicycle and vice versa, while other surveys show riders are the safest motorists. kerb motorists lanes
Riders can use bus lanes in London

Riders can only legally ride in bus lanes in NSW and the ACT in Australia. In most states, only bicycles, taxis, limousines and emergency vehicles can use these lanes.

However, in several major cities around the world, including London and Tel Aviv, riders are allowed to use bus lanes.

Western Australia also started a one-year trial for motorbikes and taxis in bus lanes in South and Beaufort streets, Perth, from March 2015. There has been no official report issued since.

If there are concerns about safety, why are cyclists allowed to use these lanes in most states?

Surely they are far more vulnerable because of the speed differential with motorised transport and their smaller profile on the road.

Levy package

The Victorian Government says the bus lane trial is part of a $1 million road safety package for motorcyclists funded by their levy.

They also include:

  • A learner and novice rider pack will be developed containing tips, resources, a high-visibility vest and other “safety” equipment;
  • VicRoads surveillance officers will be trained and equipped to better identify road imperfections and other potential hazards for motorcyclists; and
  • The MotoCAP motorcycle protective clothing star rating system will be “further promoted to help riders make better choices when it comes to buying safety gear”.

The Motorcycle Safety Levy was introduced in October 2002 to provide specific funding to reduce motorcycle-related road trauma.

Motorcycle Riders Association Victoria spokesman and former MEAP member Damien Codognotto says MEAP was ignored in this “government million dollar PR stunt”.

“The whole thing is aimed at the rider being to blame for all or most of the 2019 rider casualty rate,” he says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Motorcycles should use bus lanes in trial

Leave a comment

A trial of motorcyclists using bus lanes should be introduced in Melbourne “to improve motorcycle safety and allow more efficient traffic movement”, says Shadow Minister for Roads and Infrastructure, David Hodgett.

Riders can only legally ride in bus lanes in NSW and the ACT in Australia. In most states, only bicycles, taxis, limousines and emergency vehicles can use these lanes.

However, in several major cities around the world, including London, riders are allowed to use bus lanes.

Ahead of tomorrow’s state election, Hodgett says Melbourne’s population growth is “putting enormous stress on roads and traffic congestion and that negatively impacts everyone’s quality of life”.

Under the Liberal Nationals’ trial, motorcycles would initially be permitted access to south-bound bus lanes along Hoddle St between Victoria Parade and the Eastern Freeway and on the inbound bus lane of the Eastern Freeway.

Hodgett says they would add more routes in future.

melbourne bus lanes

Bus lanes trials

The plan follows a six-month VicRoads trial in 2011 where riders were permitted to use bus lanes on Hoddle Street during peak periods.

A report is now more than seven years overdue and riders are still not allowed in bus lanes.

Western Australia also ran a one-year trial for motorbikes and taxis in bus lanes from March 2015. The trial was extended to include Fitzgerald St bus lane up to October 2017.

Similarly, no report has been released except to say that there were a few minor crashes.

If there are concerns about safety, why are cyclists allowed to use these lanes in most states?

Cyclists in bike lanes ride to work day lane filtering bus lanes
Cyclists often get their own lanes anyhow

Surely cyclists are far more vulnerable because of the speed differential with motorised transport and their smaller profile on the road.

Allowing motorcycles and scooters to use bus lanes is not just another free kick for riders.

Like lane filtering, it would free up the rest of the road for other traffic, so it should be supported by all motorists.

And motorcycles would not hold up buses as would slow-moving cyclists who are allowed to use them.

The option of using a bus lane would give lane-filtering riders an alternative to the sometimes dangerously small gaps between lanes of traffic.

Cities that allow riders to use bus lanes

Bus lane in use in London lane filtering happiest commuters A British survey has found that riding a motorcycle makes you safer on a bicycle and vice versa, while other surveys show riders are the safest motorists. kerb motorists
Riders can use bus lanes in London

Motorcyclists have been allowed to use bus lanes in London, Bristol, Belfast and the Netherlands for many years. Aberdeen in Scotland is now trialling their use.

Many other cities are not included simply because they do not have bus lanes.

In 2016, Tel Aviv opened its bus lanes to riders after a six-month trial. It showed that motorcycles, buses and taxis can coexist in the same lane.

“Under all circumstances examined, including at corners and next to bus stops, the new arrangements did not substantially change or aggravate the ‘conflict’ between two-wheeled vehicles and other vehicles. All potential conflicts were resolved without incident,” the report said.

Israel is now rolling it out throughout the country.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com