BMF welcomes bikes in M4 bus lane

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Eamonn Townsend

BMF welcomes bikes in M4 bus lane

Post by Eamonn Townsend »

Yesterday's announcement by Transport Minister John Spellar that the M4 bus lane is to be opened to motorcyclists has been warmly welcomed by the British Motorcyclists Federation.

As the sole motorcycling representative on the Highways Agency's Road User Committee, the BMF has called for wider use of bus lanes by powered two wheelers (PTWs) for many years and sees the M4 decision as yet another positive step forward.*

The decision to also raise the bus lane speed limit from 50 to 60 mph between junction four and the elevated section at Chiswick has also been welcomed by the BMF.

Accepting that the Highways Agency will now consult widely on these changes, the BMF nevertheless hopes that the target date of summer 2002 will be met. In the meantime the BMF asks that PTW users do not jump the gun and instead await the new electronic and metal signing that will signify the change.

Commenting on the proposed changes, BMF Chief Executive Simon Wilkinson said:
"This is good news for all PTW users. The Highways Agency has recognised that separating PTWs from main stream traffic can have real safety advantages, but we also see it as an incentive for more people to take to two wheels and literally beat the traffic."


*The M4 proposal brings to seven the number of bus lane schemes now running or trialing PTW access. The others are: Bristol; Birmingham; Colchester; Hull; Reading and Swindon.
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