Bikers gain entry to the bus lanes

MOTORCYCLISTS will be allowed in bus lanes from Monday but the move has created safety fears.

For the next 18 months, motorbikes will be allowed to share most red route bus lanes with buses, cyclists and taxis in the capital. If the trial is successful, Mayor Boris Johnson will make it a permanent feature.

Cycling groups have been campaigning against the move, arguing that it will put them at risk.

To date, 4,000 people have signed a petition and on Monday representatives from the London Cycling Campaign will be handing out leaflets to cyclists in Hyde Park warning them of the new rules.

A three-year study concluded that when motorcyclists used the bus lanes in Brixton Road and Finchley Road, the number of collisions fell by 42 per cent.

But cyclists have questioned the results after former mayor Ken Livingstone dismissed the study, saying it was misleading.

A code of practice, which has been approved by Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police, has been compiled by the motorcycle industry for the safe use of bus lanes by motorcyclists.

Mr Johnson said: "The new code of practice shows that motorcyclists are taking the privilege seriously."

But Koy Thomson, LCC's chief executive, said: "Putting motorbikes in bus lanes will not reduce motor traffic. The Mayor has set this up as a trial and it is vital that it is properly monitored and evaluated."