Bus lane trial for bikers
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
13/01/2009
A new trial scheme allowing motorbikes and scooters to use two of the borough’s busiest bus lanes has begun.
The pilot was launched on Monday January 5 and coincided with a similar trial being run by Transport for London (TfL).
It means that motorbikes and scooters will have unrestricted access to the bus lanes on Fulham Palace Road and Uxbridge Road, between Askew Road and Wood Lane, allowing bikers to use the lanes 24 hours a day.
The three-year trial aims to reduce the number of accidents involving motorbikes on these roads. In the past three years, 142 people have been injured in 126 accidents on Fulham Palace Road, with 34 per cent involving motorbikes. One person has died and eight have been seriously injured in these accidents.
On Uxbridge Road in the same period there were 111 accidents between Askew Rd and Wood Lane where people were hurt. Motorbikes were involved in 30 of these accidents and four people were seriously injured.
Councillor Nicholas Botterill, deputy leader of H&F Council and cabinet member for environment, said: "This trial ties in with TfL’s own across London and aims to make our roads safer for all motorists and bike riders. We will be monitoring the situation closely and hopefully it will help to cut the number of motorbike and scooter accidents on the roads without disrupting buses and cyclists."
