Vol. 526 No. 4
297 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has considered the regulations in respect of allowing motor cyclists to use bus lanes; if he is in a position to give approval in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27025/00]
The primary purpose of bus lanes and quality bus corridors is to facilitate mass transport in urban areas. Accordingly access to bus lanes has been restricted to omnibuses, large public service vehicles and, in relation to with-flow bus lanes only, taxis.
Pedal cyclists have been afforded access to with-flow bus lanes since the inception of such facilities, inter alia, in view of road safety considerations. A more pro-active promotion of cycling as a transport mode has been advanced through the more recent introduction of quality bus corridors which are commonly provided with associated dedicated cycle tracks for pedal cyclists.
The view has been taken that access to bus lanes for motorcyclists is not necessitated on road safety grounds and could compromise the safe cycling environment for pedal cyclists which bus lanes and quality bus corridors aim to provide. I understand that the UK authorities have recently conducted several pilot schemes to study the safety benefits to both motor cyclists and cyclists alike of the use of bus lanes by motor cycles. These studies have proven to be inconclusive and the UK authorities are maintaining their policy that motorcycles should not be allowed to use bus lanes.
While there are no specific proposals to extend the use of bus lanes to motorcycles at this time, I have indicated that consideration might be given by the appropriate authorities to the possibility of practical pilot tests in this country with particular regard to the safety aspects of the proposal.
Question No. 298 taken with Question No. 289.
