Default Bus Lane Access: Sign the petition now!

[Lincsman]

For what use it will do.
Default Bus Lane Access: Sign the petition now!

MAG has launched a petition calling for the motorcycles in bus lanes consultation outcome to be reversed.  Sign the petition now!

Last year’s motorcycles in bus lanes consultation resulted in a decision against adopting a national default policy.  MAG vowed to mount a full campaign to get the outcome reversed.

That campaign launches today with the publication of a government petition.  The petition was raised by MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown.

The petition format allows for only a very brief description, so MAG has also published three supporting documents.

The first is a longer version of the petition wording, better laying out the argument of the petition.

Secondly there is a detailed analysis of the consultation responses from 46 key stakeholders.  These consultation responses were provided via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request lodged by MAG.  These responses allow us to see the detail of arguments against the default policy.

Finally, the third document is a detailed argument for the reversal of the outcome decision.

MAG is urging all riders to sign the petition.  It also calls on all rider organisations and the motorcycle press to promote the petition.  Whilst the government will respond at 10,000 signatures, MAG want to hit the 100,000-signature target.  This has the potential to trigger a vital parliamentary debate.

MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said:

“The petition is only a part of our campaign to get this default access policy across the line.  It will be pivotal though, supporting the direct engagement with politicians that will be going on behind the scenes.  We are actually a lot closer than you may think to winning this campaign.  If you read right to the end of the consultation outcome the Department for Transport (DfT) says that they will do three things.  First, they will update their guidance document.  This will advise local authorities to work together to get consistency of provision across boundaries. Secondly, they will work with the metro mayors and combined authorities to encourage a joined-up approach to motorcycle access. And thirdly they will take comments into account in future changes to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.

This amounts to a default access policy in all but name.

We just need to make sure they follow through on these promises. And then they must openly state that this is a default policy position to avoid confusion and continued arguments.”

We can get this across the line.  Act now to sign the petition which can be found here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712763
 
View and share the YouTube petition video here:

 

[The Doctor 46]

 I signed up years ago. It works in Plymouth, it's safer for all and it keeps the motorcyclist going when cars can't. Busses are not using them to a capacity that makes them viable without support from motorcyclists, taxis and emergency vehicles. We all fit nice and safely. I don't know what the argument is? It's obvious to the ones who are right.

So, please tell me in simple words, why can't we use buss lanes? Beats me? 
 

[Lincsman]

My guess is the Saviours of the Planet don't want us in there. And lets face it, they get everything they want, as long as everyone else pays for it.

[Asmith61]

Signed 👍

We used the bus lanes in London on Saturday going to the ace cafe, and there were buses in it too 🤣🤣

[The Doctor 46]

I rode on a bus, taxi and motorcycle lane on my way to the Ace Caffe too. It was the outside lane which I thought strange. I had to wave with both hands for ages to persuade my mate to join me rather than sit in traffic with panniers fitted. 


 

[Lincsman]

Bit of an update, about this petition.

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)
Over 10,000 support new bus lane petition in first week
Over 10,000 people have supported MAG’s new bus lane petition in its first week. The Government will produce a written response soon, but MAG warns that it is likely to be dismissive.

MAG launched the petition on Monday 3rd March, and it has attracted over 10,000 signatures in its first week. At this point a written response is a given. MAG is warning the 10,000 supporters that the response is likely to repeat the outcome of last year’s consultation. MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, has said that a dismissive response is entirely expected. We will not allow this to put off further people from signing the petition.

Colin said:
“I am delighted by the level of support for the petition in its first week. I have said from the start that the initial written response is most likely to be negative. This should not concern us in the slightest. Our target is the 100,000-signature mark which should trigger a Parliamentary debate. This is where we will have the opportunity to get the result we are looking for.”

MAG is also laying out a programme of activity to run in parallel with the petition.

Help us make more riders aware of and to sign the petition. We need at least 100,000 signatures.
Contact your local MP to ask if they will speak in favour of default access at the hoped for debate.
Put pressure on the Department for Transport (DfT) to invite MAG to collaborate on the promised revised bus lane guidance document.
Ask the DfT what action it plans to take to work with Metro Mayors, Transport for London and others to deliver consistent bus lane access.
Put every local authority on notice that they will need to comply with the new guidance.
Colin said:

“This campaign is far more than just a petition. If we want the best outcome we cannot simply rely on signatures; we need action. MAG is already working behind the scenes on this five-step plan. Every rider, every organisation and the media can help achieve this win by playing their part. A simple email to your MP or local councillor will join others if you take the time to do it. If you have more time why not speak to them face-to-face for a more direct conversation? I have yet to meet anyone who can understand how the consultation outcome bears any relation to the responses. We need to correct this Government misstep and get this policy change over the line.”

We can get this across the line. With your help we will get this across the line.


Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or central-office@mag-uk.org

The Government petition can be found here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712763
The full motorcycles in bus lanes consultation outcome can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consu...motorcycles-in-bus-lanes-consultation-outcome

The extended version of the petition can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/f/fd/Default_bus_lane_access_petition_full_text.pdf

MAG’s analysis of the consultation responses can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/7/79...s_consultation_responses_-_MAG's_analysis.pdf

MAG’s rebuttal to the consultation outcome justifications can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/c/ce...consultation_outcome_needs_to_be_reversed.pdf



Central Office
The Motorcycle Action Group Limited
Tel: 03300 560 886

www.mag-uk.org

[The Doctor 46]

Thank you for your work on this and for keeping the thread alive. As I previously mentioned, I signed up for this ages ago but I signed in again just now. The signature count now is only 10,100 and odd so it seems to be stalling?

100,000 signatures shouldn't be such a tall order as I can't think of a reason why motorcyclists and even scooter riders wouldn't sign up. Hopefully they will get to learn about this and all will be well. 

[Lincsman]

Thanks for that 

[Cartejo5]

Signed.

[2112]

I can't get an email back to register? Tried our 3 address and nothing? Not in spam, junk or quarantien? Very frustrating...

[Lincsman]

Bit of an update for you.

[The Doctor 46]

I received this email today.

   
You’re receiving this email because you signed the petition: “Allow motorcycles in bus lanes as default”.

Dear James

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Allow motorcycles in bus lanes as default”.

Government responded:

Local authorities are best placed to understand the needs of their road networks rather than central government. The consultation did not find enough evidence of the safety benefits for change.

The Department understands that the outcome of this consultation will have been a disappointment for some motorcyclists and associated organisations.

Local authorities are best placed to understand the needs of their local road networks, rather than central government. In the absence of robust data from the consultation, there is little justification for moving away from a position of local authority choice to one in which allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes is the default.

The safety benefits of allowing motorcycles into bus lanes are not clear. The consultation aimed to gather up to date, robust evidence, primarily from local authorities. While a very large number of individual responses was received, there were not enough from local authorities to provide the information needed. Although many individuals responded in favour, the vast majority did not provide any supporting evidence of the benefits or risks.

The Department acknowledges that some questions received a high number of responses, but whilst the number of responses illustrates the prevalence of each response, a consultation cannot be seen as a ‘vote’. Conclusions cannot and have not been drawn based solely on the number of people offering positive or negative comments about a particular suggestion.

Research on the potential safety impacts for cyclists, and the impact on bus services would be needed to form the evidence base for any change in policy. Whilst there is evidence of this working locally, this is quite different from a national policy of default access.

Furthermore, the cost to local authorities of new traffic signs and Traffic Regulation Orders mandating such a change for existing bus lanes would be considerable. Without strong evidence of the benefits, this cannot be justified. The existing policy of local authority discretion also aligns well with our policies on bus service improvements, encouraging walking and cycling, and devolving powers to local government, which is at the heart of our transport ambitions.

The Government remains committed to supporting efforts to improve the safety of motorcyclists and this policy will be kept under review.

Department for Transport

[Lincsman]

Same for me too. Translated means, "We don't give a stuff about motorcyclist's, that is until we want the money for the pot hole tax, then we care about you".
Politicians aren't worth the that drops out of their arse.

MAG's response.
Bus lane petition written response: no surprise and will not stop us
The Department for Transport (DfT) has today published the predictable and expected written response. MAG says the response is no surprise and will not stop us. It should serve as motivation to collect 100,000 signatures.
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) was expecting the negative written response triggered by the petition reaching 10,000 signatures. The Department has repeated claims that “Local authorities are best placed to understand the needs of their local road networks”. A default policy does not impact local authority autonomy. They also state that “Research on the potential safety impacts for cyclists, and the impact on bus services would be needed to form the evidence base for any change in policy.” But the Department has previously ruled out any intention to do such research.
Petition author, and MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement said:
“The Department has once again displayed its total lack of interest in the welfare of riders. We are not in the least surprised by this, and it is exactly why we will not let this drop. We ask all riders to continue signing and promoting the petition until we pass the 100,000-signature goal we set from the outset. Riders have a choice – they can either roll over at the first sign of rejection - accept that they don’t matter; or they can sign the petition and send a strong message to the Government. What choice will they make? I hope it is the right one.”
MAG will continue to promote the petition as well as its programme of work to get this outcome reversed. You can sign the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712763
MAG thanks IAM RoadSmart, BMF, NMC and others for their support in getting the petition past the 10,000 signatures. But MAG is also asking whether politicians will stand with riders and publicly support the petition.
The motorcycle press is also being urged to actively support the petition rather than just reporting its existence.
Change and progress don’t come without effort. Now is the time to put the effort in.
Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or central-office@mag-uk.org

[UK_Vstrom650]

...
Research on the potential safety impacts for cyclists,

Impact on cyclists? I probably do more cycling than I ride the Strom and I'd much rather be overtaken by a motorbike than a bus, especially when they proceed to stop and box you in.

The real issue is probably the second paragraph above. If the govt tells them to do it, they're probably on the hook for providing cash for the councils to upgrade the road signs.
Also, it they want to encourage walking/cycling and using buses, they really ought to ban taxis from bus lanes too