Motorcyclist Simon Frampton from Portslade rode into the council chamber last week – not literally – but he parked an idea that will be explored further.
He asked the council to allow motorbikes, scooters and mopeds – also known as powered two-wheelers – to use bus lanes in Brighton and Hove.
Mr Frampton, a leading member of the Motorcycle Action Group, said: “Extensive studies have been done showing time saved, reduced emissions and accident rates.
“Stakeholders will need to be consulted in this process – cyclists, buses, taxis and pedestrians.
“Generally the outcome of these consultations is positive but we still have stakeholders that are not in favour.
“Slowly the majority of these are being won over with the passage of time.”
Councillor Ian Davey, the Brighton and Hove City Council cabinet member for transport, said: “If you look at the Local Transport Plan you won’t see the words ‘powered two-wheelers’ and that’s something we’d like to change.”
He added that, as the A259 seafront bus lane was partly in East Sussex, he would need to work with East Sussex County Council.
He said that he would like council officers to explore the issues and hoped to look at the subject again in more detail in the new year.
Councillor Tony Janio, who represents Hangleton and Knoll for the Conservatives, presented an 800-signature petition to the council on behalf of the Motorcycle Action Group.
I’m in favour of this – lots of space in bus lanes, motorbikes are able to go as fast a taxis/buses and would not hold anyone up. They would also be less of a hazard to cyclists than a taxi or bus using a ‘bus lane’ as they are a lot shorter and slimmer. If bus lanes are about encouraging less emissions as well as reducing congestion – the motor bike does this better than taxis – and probably diesel buses on a per-person basis
i think its ok for a bicycle to use a bus lane Highway code is ok on it ..