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Motorcycles in bus lanes

Motorcycle in a bus lane Following the completion of two trials, motorcycles will be given permanent access to bus lanes on the majority of the Capital's red routes from 23 January 2012.

We will now make a permanent traffic regulation order to reflect the decision.

Benefits include reduced journey times for motorcyclists and less carbon dioxide emissions. The safety of motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users is unaffected.

It also helps achieve a key strand of the Mayors Transport Strategy - helping to smooth traffic flow.

Read the independent report from the trial and appendix:

Listen to our radio safety advert highlighting the importance of looking out for motorcycles in bus lanes.

Motorcycles in bus lanes sign

Maps

To check which bus lanes can be used by motorcycles, use the maps below and look out for road signs.

Information about the second trial

Read questions and answers about the second trial (PDF 66KB)

Information about the first trial

Read the full independent report into the first trial (PDF 1.64MB)
Download appendix A (PDF 2.4MB)
Download appendix C (PDF 4MB)
* Note - all other appendices are included in the main report

Emissions study:
Download the Evaluation of journey time and emissions of motorcycles in bus lanes report (PDF 3.9MB)
Download appendix 1 (PDF 38KB)
Download appendix 2 (PDF 288KB)
Download appendix 3 (PDF 179KB)
Download appendix 4 (PDF 1.42MB)
Download appendix 5 (PDF 233KB)

Evaluation criteria:
View the evaluation criteria used to analyse the success of the initial trial (PDF 66KB)

Initial data for the first six months of the trial shows little variation in casualty figures or commuter habits:
Motorcycles in bus lanes interim report November 2009 (PDF 4.7MB)

View the first and second phases of customer research undertaken as part of the trial:
Motorcycles in bus lanes: customer research report - wave 1 (PDF 937KB)
Motorcycles in bus lanes: customer research report - wave 2 (PDF 943KB)