Long Way Round M25 Mega demo against bike parking tax is a Roaring Success!!!!

Sometimes it’s great to be proved wrong. I have learned this more during the evolution of the NTBPT campaign than ever before. Like a number of people in the UK motorcycling world I have seen more than my fair share of hopes for progress, within the worlds of riders’ rights groups and related policy shapers, cut back or dashed. And, like some of my seasoned colleagues who have done all sorts over the years to improve government responses to rider’s issues, I have had moments of grave doubt about the advisability or even possibility of plans for action made by the NTBPT – under the passionate leadership of it’s chairman Warren Djanogly and his extraordinarily dedicated and multi-talented supporters.

And one of those moments was when I first heard about the idea of a mass demo ride all the way round the M25.  I can’t remember exactly what I said to Warren and his committee but I think it went along lines like these:  “You must be mad mate, that is one helluva an undertaking for an experienced rider’s rights organisation – let alone a new single issue campaign group.” And, like others, I added a few words of caution on the basis that the whole thing could go horribly wrong and do far more damage to the image of riders than good for our cause – and especially those with the courage or temerity to stand up and be counted in opposing a new and potentially nationwide tax on using scooters and motorbikes in the UK.

But the fact is that there was a spectacular demonstration of rider power to object in a legal and peaceful protest on Saturday – and it did not go wrong as various films show – with more to follow. In fact it all went right, it went right out of London and right round by The 120 mile Long Way Round, and right into the centre of the capital where the regressive and unjustifiable bike parking tax is currently in place. I can also report as an eye witness that it was given the thumbs-up by the police at every stage of the whole epic journey.

It is of course impossible to say what impact that particular demo will have on those who are still trying to find reasons to persist with a new tax on scooter and motorbike use. But one thing is sure for me. Every one of the thousands of riders who took part in this latest demo, on every type of scooter or motorbike imaginable, will have a stunningly clear picture of what is possible. And, the boundaries of what riders can know is possible have just been extended by miles.

Obviously, we will now have to wait and see what the three judges at the High Court make of the case against Westminster’s use of Traffic Orders to impose a new tax. But whatever the outcome from their first ruling after 2-3 days of deliberation, riders in Britain now know there is yet another way to make a legitimate and hugely impressive demonstration of their dissatisfaction with a step in the wrong direction, in this case by a few misguided souls who want to pioneer and spread a new ‘motorcycling policy measure’ under the cover of Traffic Management Act legislation, even though – as we all know – it is really just a TAX.

Great news for UK riders! Boris gives go-ahead for new bikes in bus lanes trial!

Finally I can report what I regard as great news from the Mayor of London regarding the bikes in bus lanes trial, and explain why it’s such good news. As I was told last week during recent talks with the Mayor’s transport advisor, Kulveer Ranger, but sworn to keep under wraps, Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, has commissioned a new trial to look at the evidence for a permanent bikes in bus lanes ruling.

So, despite his controversial face to face clash with the No To Bike Parking Tax protesters in Trafalgar Square on 2nd June, in which he appeared to be “threatening” bikers, as the BBC reported, by saying that motorcycle access to bus lanes would end unless their protest against the Westminster bike parking tax stopped, the mayor has now decided to sanction a new trial of the bikes in bus lanes measure.

The important thing about this decision is this. The results of the most recent 18 month trial, which ends on 5th July, were too mixed and thereby limited to be sure if there is an overall benefit to all road users from allowing motorcycle riders to share use of bus lanes with cyclists and taxis. But now, after extensive analysis by Transport for London (TfL) of results from the latest trial,  Boris has announced that a new experimental scheme will start on July 5th July and run for another 18 months in order to gather enough evidence to reach conclusions that TfL and other transport authorities can rely on to make a conclusive decision about whether to make bike access to bus lanes a permanent measure or not.

Basically this is what’s happened and where we are now. An independent report of the most recent 18 month trial, which ends on 4th July, found positive results including that fears of an increase in collisions with cyclists have proved unfounded. However the Mayor has decided some important questions remain; particularly in relation to an increase in collisions between motorcyclists and cars turning in or out of side roads where motorcycles have access to bus lanes.
Now, the new experimental scheme will start in July and run for eighteen months, in order to gather more safety evidence for the Mayor to be able to make a conclusive recommendation about whether to make bike access to bus lanes a permanent measure or not.

Mayor Johnson exclusively told me as transport policy consultant to MAG and columnists for MSL: “I am honouring my pledge to let independently gathered evidence and analysis be the deciding factor about the overall impacts of the bikes in bus lanes measure.” He added that motorcycle and scooter riders “have made a persuasive case to be able to use TfL’s bus lanes, and if the prospect of quicker, easier journeys encourages more people onto two wheels then that will be for the good of everyone using our roads.”

Lastly he says that “the initial trial has shown positive results and the chaos that was predicted by some doomsayers has clearly not materialised.”

As far as I’m concerned, I am really delighted by the Mayor’s decision. Unlike his predecessor Ken Livingstone, to Bojo has had the balls to place hard evidence above political expediency and I genuinely believe that all concerned now have an invaluable opportunity to discover the full potential of this measure. It is also great to see that the new trial will be examining potential environmental and traffic flow benefits in addition to the key aim of researching and developing ever better ways to enhance safety for all for all vulnerable road users.

I was also briefed on the results of a separate study by TfL that used police traffic officers to study journey times in bus lanes. It  indicates that journeys made by motorcycles or scooters using bus lanes are, on average, more than 10 per cent quicker than those not using bus lanes and 36 per cent quicker than cars.

And Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London’s transport advisor, told me this. “One of our key policy areas is smoothing traffic flow and allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes can contribute to that aim. We already know people on two wheels can get around London more efficiently than those using four and believe they should be able to do so in bus lanes without affecting the safety of other road users. Kulveer went on to say: “Our trial has seen a number of successes but we want to tackle the issue of collisions with cars going in out of side roads. That is why the Mayor has advised that we run a second trial alongside a road safety campaign and training for motorcyclists. We also want to urge the motorcycle community using bus lanes to ride with respect and with a focus on reducing speed and increasing safety.”

Boris Johnson filmed ‘threatening’ to stop bus lane use by motorcycle and scooter riders – unless protest against WCC bike parking tax is called to a halt

In an extraordinary outburst from Boris Johnson, London’s Mayor, broadcast by BBC news, he makes what NTBPT protesters have called a “threat” to stop motorbike access to bus lanes – unless they stop protesting against Westminster’s highly controversial motorcycle parking charging scheme. This episode has now also been reported by Guardian blogger Dave Hill

The mayor can be clearly seen and heard saying: “Do you want to stay in bus lanes?” To which the rider at the protest says “of course we do” – with the Mayor replying: “Well stop this protest”.

In response, Warren Djanogly, Chairman of the No To Bike Parking Tax group,   said: “This would seem like a thinly veiled threat, bordering on blackmail.”

A fuller report of the incident was aired on BBC London News as the headline story for their lunchtime bulletin today.

The bikes in bus lanes measure to which the mayor refers is being run as a trial throughout the whole Red Route network of strategic roads in the capital.

But as it happens and with a bizarre coincidence of timing, the trial version of the measure is due to end with an independent report on the results due for submission to TFL this month.

Up until today, the Mayor had made it clear that the decision to keep bikes in bus lanes would depend entirely on the results of the report which is being conducted by TRL. Sources tell me that the trial results are likely to show that casualties involving cyclists have dropped in bus lanes which are shared with motorcycle and scooter riders. If so, that result alone should make it very difficult for our avid cyclist mayor to turn the clock back and stop motorbike access to bus lanes – as it may well cause a rise in casualties to his fellow riders.

As ever, we will have to wait and see what happens next. But my hope is that the Mayors’ newly focused concerns about the bike parking tax protest will now be focused on discussions about the real cause of that problem, namely the Westminster City Council scheme – which is not only hugely unpopular and has no demonstrable traffic management benefit – but according to the council is now running at a shocking loss. As it also happens I will soon be meeting with the new Westminster City Council Cabinet member who has inherited responsibility for this ill-conceived scheme and will be hoping to find a way forward that is truly sustainable and good for all concerned – including our colourful mayor!