BUS LANE TRIALS - MELBOURNE 1

There earlier blog entries on the Hoddle Street trial permitting motorcycle & scooter riders to use bus lanes in peak hour. The Age ran a story on a report that suggests bicycles be allowed to use bus lanes. It just mentions the motorcycles & scooters trial which seems to be in limbo.

The Age got it wrong. bicycles have been permitted in peak hour bus lanes for more than two years with no trial or study, apparently a stroke of the pen and a bureaucratic opinion is all you need to change regulations if you are a bicyclist.

BUS LANE TRIAL IN THE AGE

Bicycles  are  permited  to use bus lanes. The above picture of the

sign  is  in a 70 kph zone. Few bicyclists, even with enhanced performance, 

can do 70 kph in hilly suburbs like Doncaster. VicRoads changed the rules 

without a trial or  study. See the VicRoads letter below.  It  seems  VicRoads  

did not consult bus drivers, only bus company executives.

The  motorcycle & scooter bus lane trial in Hoddle Street was supposed

to end in June 2012 but seems to be in limbo.

Apparently  VicRoads  did  not consult all stakeholders on the Hoddle

Street trial. Mike McNess bus driver representative at the TWU did not

know  of the trial. It seems VicRoads consulted bus company executives

not drivers.

Documents  obtained  by  the  Independent  Riders'  Group  through the

freedom  of information act indicate the trial permiting motorcycles &

scooters  to  use  bus  lanes  had  a  positive outcome. Motorcycles &

scooters did not appear to slow buses as they can keep up with traffic

and  riders  are  safer in bus lanes with professional drivers than in

peak hour traffic.

www.theage.com.au/victoria/buses-reject-lane-share-with-bikes-20121021-27zhk.html#poll

Please read The Age story on the bicycle report and vote and comment.

Damien Codognotto OAM

Spokesman

Independent Riders' Group

Melbourne