IHIE Guidelines for Motorcycling

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

You would however require a change in the law to

a) Allow motorcyclists to use Bus Lanes.

b) Allow motorcyclists to have access to ASL zones.

c) Create motorcycle "lanes" to access the ASL zones.

Everything in the docs would be welcomed, but they people writing them, being knowlegeable about these things are not the policy makers.

yes, you are right, specific changes such as these require a change in the law, that's not what the IHIE is about though, they aren't a political lobby group, they are an institute of professional engineers whose goal is to make the roads a better, safer, as well designed as possible place for every user. things like siting covers away from motorcycle paths and improving information for motorcyclists in corners will do just as much, if not more, for motorcyclists safety than single gestures such as the ones you mention. this is about attitude towards motorcycling in general, and designing roads to accommodate a mode of transport that is alien to most designers...

Xan173, thank god there's someone else here who understands what i'm trying to say, i was starting to think i was talking to the walls. yes, the BMF and MAG are great organisations pushing for better accommodation of motorcycling within the highways system, but unless you get the message through to the people on the ground who design the roads, the junctions, the people who choose the location of road signs, covers, and repair the roads and services you can complain/campaign all you like but nothing will happen on the ground

rictus, my cynical comment was aimed directly at you, not the BMF or MAG - if you really believe the only result to come from liaising with people involved in designing, building and maintaining the the roads you use every day is that they tip off the police to any illegal activities you may currently be doing then although i sympathise with you as a motorcyclist if the police give you a hard time in london, as a highways engineer it makes me want to say ******** to the lot of you, NO designer would willingly put his name on a road scheme that he knew was dangerous to a particular road user, there is no conspiracy against bikes, just ignorance, and sometimes it seems that isn't confined to just one side

Originally Posted by rictus01

or of course making rash generalizations based on assumptions.

we would want to be doing that now would we

I totally agree Rictus, and would add sarcasm to that list as well.

[Stu]

This no longer makes any sense. Why the delete Wolf?

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Stu

This no longer makes any sense. Why the delete Wolf?

i posted this link to the IHIE guidelines for highways engineers with regards to motorcycling:

motorcycleguidelines.org.uk

i kind of hoped it would provide people with an insight into how companies like the one i work for get their guidance for highways design, and allow the people who use the roads (ie: us) an opportunity to get in touch with them and suggest modifications or improvements to the guidelines, to make the roads safer for motorcyclists in general

as it turned out it ended up as a bit of an argument, and as i was having a ****ty day at work i decided it wasn't worth the hassle, in retrospect perhaps a somewhat rash decision, hence the link above, but if we (as bikers) aren't interested in getting involved with professionals who actually want to help us then it just makes me wonder why we (as highways engineers) bother

I didn't actually find the bit that told us how we could submit our comments.
Can you do a link please lone wolf?

[Stu]

The forum's down at the mo'

TLW, thanks for the link.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Xan173

Can you do a link please lone wolf?

Just look up the "Contact Us" section[link], i didn't mean there was specifically a page to submit your comments, as the website is designed primarily for highways engineers to seek guidance and it's still in beta stage, but if you find something that isn't quite right, or needs elaboration, then send them a letter or email and see where you get. i expect the majority of the information they have received has come from the BMF and MAG, so you could also try discussing it with them and asking them to take a comment or suggestion to the IHIE for you

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

Some stuff

rictus, my cynical comment was aimed directly at you

Arh I see, so those of us that actually do something rather than just talk able it are the cynics, Hmmm interesting take on the subject, ever thought of politics.

Cynical of how much benefit these things are, now that I am, especially if they claim legitemisy for organisation that aren't supporting them , I don't support you view but instead rely on my own 30 years involvement with motorcycling, I tend to concentrate on the practical and tangible, not something in some report that has no teeth to implement anything anyway, my points aren't just valid, but historically correct.

If or course you're trying to tell me this is aimed at teaching other highway design engineers about motorbikes to bring them into line with the goverments stratergy, then why don't they know already? I would have thought it part of their job to be fully aware of the needs of all road users or you're not doing your job right.

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by Xan173

I totally agree Rictus, and would add sarcasm to that list as well.

Arh my appologies I hadn't realised you were icon blind.

Cheers Mark.