Motorbikes to use Bus Lanes in Ealing

Bus lanes will be opened up for motorcyclists next year as part of a trial scheme to reduce congestion in the borough.

From January, motorbikes will be able to use all Ealing bus lanes and research will be carried out to monitor the impact on congestion, road safety and the affect on cyclists.

This 18-month trial coincides with a similar scheme announced by London Mayor Boris Johnson last month which allows bikers to use bus lanes operated by Transport for London (TfL) on red routes.

If the scheme in Ealing is successful, it will be made permanent.

Councillor David Millican, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: "There's a whole network of bus lanes stretching across the borough.

"It seems much more sensible to allow motorbikes to use those lanes to help them get through traffic more quickly without having to weave between cars.

"We'll be carrying out research throughout the 18-month period to see what impact the scheme has."

The Cabinet also agreed new criteria for bus lanes such as standardising operation times and ensuring each bus lane is clearly signed.