Governments generally make decisions supported by popular support – but not always. For example, opinion polling currently suggests a majority of the UK public would like to see Brexit reversed, and certain forms of capital punishment also often fare well in polls. Neither of those policies seems likely to make it onto the statute books, though, for various, complex reasons.
Motorcycles using bus lanes is also popular, according to the government’s own consultation on the matter. Indeed, the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) says that there was over 95% support in that consultation for bikes using bus lanes by default when it is safe to do so. But this much less contentious policy change has been shelved alongside ‘rejoining the EU’ and ‘hanging child killers’, for reasons that remain unclear. In November, the Department for Transport announced that it wouldn’t be changing its policy, meaning local authorities will make their own decisions, leading to a patchwork of approval across the country.
The rationale is strange – the department says the government has ‘no policy to encourage greater use of motorcycles’, suggesting that it wants to deliberately make motorcycling harder (or at least, no easier), even when it comes to changes which could improve safety. Allowing powered two-wheelers into bus lanes mostly improves bikers’ safety, according to a broad range of research, and has no impact on the safety of other road users.
Craig Carey-Clinch, NMC executive director, said: “It is extremely concerning that the government has ruled out a measure that could contribute notably to motorcycle safety. With ministers stating a commitment to a new Road Safety Strategy, this announcement gives rise to concern that the strategy will not consider the more creative and supportive actions that are needed to improve motorcycle safety. Continuing the current approach to motorcycle safety, with a lack of support for strategic motorcycling policies, will do nothing to reverse the decline in casualty reduction rates that has been the picture since 2013. The NMC calls on ministers to think again and to fully engage the motorcycle sector as it develops its Road Safety Strategy.”