(18-03-24, 10:14 PM)b1k3rdude Wrote: Evening all

The Government has launched a consultation on default access for motorcycles in bus lanes.  MAG has been fighting for policy consistency on bus lane access for many years and urges all riders to respond to the consultation.
Motorcycles in bus lanes consultation

As part of the Government’s Plan for Drivers a consultation has been launched asking for opinions on allowing default access for motorcycles in bus lanes.  The announcement was made on Sunday 17th March and the consultation is open until 9th June.

The Government’s news story led on other elements of the broad announcement.  Mainstream media reported on these other issues including LTN’s and 20mph speed limits.  MAG will be commenting on these issues separately.  However, MAG was quick to spot the launch of the long-awaited bus lane consultation.

Colin Brown of MAG said:

    “It is perhaps not strange that a key policy for motorcycling slips past the headlines.  But for motorcyclists throughout the country this really is an opportunity that must not be missed.  The fight for motorcycle access in bus lanes has been fought one authority at a time for over three decades.  A consistent national policy is long overdue.  I would urge every rider in the country to spend five minutes responding to the consultation survey.”

The Government is suggesting two options.  Option 1 is to do nothing and continue with the patchwork approach currently in place.  Option 2 is to allow motorcycle access by default in all ‘with-flow’ and ‘contra-flow’ bus lanes in England and Wales.  Scotland has devolved powers and cannot be included in this consultation, but MAG will push the Scottish Government to follow suit to create a UK-wide consistency.  Northern Ireland already allows motorcycle access in all bus lanes. Since the promise of this consultation was made last autumn, MAG has been seeking to get the consultation extended to cover bus gates.  Disappointingly, the Department for Transport has not accommodated what we consider to be a logical extension to the discussion.  MAG will continue to push for motorcycle access through bus gates and other traffic filters. 

TfL report that you guys can include in your responses - https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2011/december/motorcycles-to-be-allowed-permanent-access-to-bus-lanes

UPDATE:

So the reponse is in, but there is more work to be done. The video by MAG on YT has already hit 112k views, and is is needed is for the same ampunt of peoiple to sign the petition which is currently at 16.2k - https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712763

The full motorcycles in bus lanes consultation outcome can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consult...
The extended version of the petition can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/f/fd/D...
MAG’s analysis of the consultation responses can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/7/79/M...
MAG’s rebuttal to the consultation outcome justifications can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/c/ce/W...
Government refusal to carry out research can be seen here: https://questions-statements.parliame...
Details of MAG’s programme of work to complement the petition can be found here: https://mag-uk.org/let-us-in/