Congestion Charge

[NAPA121]

A work colleague heard that Ken Livingstone wanted to roll out the congestion charge to Motorcycles.

He sent the Mayors office an email asking the question and they responded below.

I was going to post it before but I forgot. Sorry!


Our Ref: TfL 42332

Dear Mr Taylor

Thank you for your e-mail to the Mayor concerning the congestion charge and motorbikes. I have been asked to reply on his behalf.
I would like to confirm that both motorcycles and scooters are exempt from the congestion charge because they do not cause congestion. Mr Livingstone also wishes to make it crystal clear that he has absolutely no intention whatsoever of making scooters and motorcycles pay the congestion charge.

Indeed, despite the increase in numbers of motorbikes and scooters in the
zone, there continues to be a decline in the number of accidents involving
powered two-wheelers since the introduction of the scheme.
In terms of letting motorbikes use bus lanes, there are concerns about the
impact on other vulnerable road users; notably cyclists who currently use bus lanes, and pedestrians crossing the road. At the same time, TfL are very concerned at the high numbers of powered two wheeler users involved in road crashes.

There are locations where motorbikes share bus lanes outside London, but
there is a lack of sound monitoring information and as little is known about the impacts, it was decided to undertake trials.
TfL received approval from the Department for Transport (DfT), in September 2002, for three trial schemes to allow powered two wheelers to use London's bus lanes during the hours of operation, which have been operating for just over a year.

The locations of the three trial bus lane schemes include the stretch of road you refer to, as follows:

· The A41 Finchley Road (between the junctions of Queens Grove
/Marlborough Place and Platt's Lane/Fortune Green Road).

· The A13 East India Dock Road (between Abbott Road and Butcher Row
East).

· The A23 Streatham High Road/Brixton Hill (between Streatham Common
South and Camberwell New Road).

A thorough evaluation of all of London's bus lanes took place before deciding to use these three sites. TfL agreed a methodology and monitoring regime, in consultation with the DfT, to help to inform both the London and national debate on this issue.

Since the schemes implementation TfL has been closely monitoring the
impacts that the trial schemes have on casualties, vehicle speeds, journey
times and usage. A review is due to take place in the summer where it is
anticipated that there will be sufficient data for determining the potential
benefits and disadvantages. At this time a decision will be made on whether it is appropriate to make the schemes permanent and whether wider application should be considered.

Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard
Central Customer Services

[Noufy]

Wasn't there an article about congestion charge for bikes in the veening std a few months ago and was later denied by the authories, ie they had no intention of introducing CC for bikes. Not sure about this argument that the use of Bus lanes is a danger to Bicycles, the buses are prolly a BIGGER threat to cyclists :roll:

[sharriso74]

Hmm East India Dock Road, got a penalty notice for riding in that 2 months ago, finally got the letter today saying it'd had been cancelled

[Diveboy]

So outside of london I can ride in bus lanes and no car lanes is that correct?

[Noufy]

So outside of london I can ride in bus lanes and no car lanes is that correct?


Huh?? I had 3 fines in June for being in Bus lanes in N London :cry:

[Jabba]

So outside of london I can ride in bus lanes and no car lanes is that correct?


Huh?? I had 3 fines in June for being in Bus lanes in N London :cry:

It's different in every local authority area and sometime different within that area :?

The only sure way is to check the signs.

[Noufy]

I knew it wasn't allowed fo bikes, but have been using the bus lanes for 2 yrs and suddenly in June they decided to start issuing fines, may be its cuz too many of us were using the Bus lanes and they figured they could get a handsome amount of money!

[neimad2k]

LOOK AT THE SIGNS

[lynw]

Depends on the authority. Though I read on another forum Westminster have begun to allow bikes in bus lanes and are now signing accordingly with a view to all authorities allowing it.

Never got a ticket on the A13 in over a year using the bus lane between 7 - 10 am or 4 - 7 pm.

[Noufy]

LOOK AT THE SIGNS

I take it you "respect" all signs you see on the roads.

[jonhunt]

motorcycles should be able to use Most if not all bus lanes and the cycle lanes and front of trafic lights

and all cycle in london should have a hi viz jackit and red rear light flashin so ya can see the ****s oh and look over there sholder be4 pullin out

[rigor]

Came up the A23 to the Soho meet on friday, saw the signs, so thought "OK, I'll give this a try" and pulled in to the bus lane.

Not a huge amount of fun though, as the default setting for most drivers in London seems to be "Can I see a big red bus? Nope? OK, I'll pull out into the bus lane and wait for a gap in the traffic" :evil:

That and the police vans parked in the bus lane, giving tickets to people parked in the lane as well, and pulling away without looking, I quickly popped back into the "car" lane.

In theory it's a good idea I think, but in practice, with people only looking for buses and taxis, I felt more vulnerable in the lane than out of it.

[Sholay]

motorcycles should be able to use Most if not all bus lanes and the cycle lanes and front of trafic lights

and all cycle in london should have a hi viz jackit and red rear light flashin so ya can see the ****s oh and look over there sholder be4 pullin out

I thought, but could easily be wrong, that the bit at front of traffic lights marked for cycles had no legal standing and that you could not be done for using it. In any case everyone seems to do so with impunity!

[Warren]

i never use bus lanes . . . the only one i go past on a regular basis has nob head cagers cutting across it without even looking straight into their drive ways and side roads.

[wheelnut]

LOOK AT THE SIGNS

I take it you "respect" all signs you see on the roads.

Look at the signs :!:

Its amazing how many people dont read the information. How many times do you see a line of traffic in the outside lane because they didnt read the sign.

Some bus lanes only operate in a morning, or sometimes just an evening and at other times are free to use.

[Stig]

Depends on the authority. Though I read on another forum Westminster have begun to allow bikes in bus lanes and are now signing accordingly with a view to all authorities allowing it.

Never got a ticket on the A13 in over a year using the bus lane between 7 - 10 am or 4 - 7 pm.

Careful there Lyn. I was having this very same conversation with Greg and the rest of the gang in Soho one night. I had been using the bus lanes up and down the A5 for the best part of 18 months, without any problems what so ever. No sooner had I made this statement I had a fine pop through the door the very next day. :roll: :roll: