27/02/2003 Immediate Release
With increasing numbers of commuters turning to the use of motorcycles,
scooters and mopeds as a solution to our cities' traffic gridlock, MAG
Ireland is urging Seamus Brennan, Minister for Transport to allow these
vulnerable road users access to Bus Lanes.
With more and more bus lanes in the U.K. being opened to motorbikes and
scooters, with very positive effects on accident reduction, the time has
come to allow commuters to beat the gridlock safely by using bus lanes.
Motorcycles, with their smaller size and greater manoeuverability will not
obstruct buses, emergency or other vehicles sharing the bus lane.
"By giving motorcyclists and scooter users the opportunity to use bus
lanes, the Minister has a vital opportunity to make commuting safer for
these road users," says Karen Kiely, Campaigns Officer for MAG Ireland.
"The evidence from areas of the U.K. where bus lanes have been open to
motorcycles for some time is overwhelming. Allowing bikes into bus lanes
will reduce accidents."
"Dublin City Council's Traffic Department, the Gardai and the insurance
industry support MAG Ireland's view that allowing motorcycles access to bus
lanes would both ease congestion and reduce accidents. At our recent
meeting Minister Brennan expressed his wish to reduce the numbers of
accidents involving motorcyclists - allowing bikes into bus lanes will
contribute greatly towards his aim."
She added, "More commuters would be encouraged to make the switch from
single occupancy cars to motorcycles if motorcycles were allowed to filter
past gridlocked traffic without the risks they face at present, thus
greatly contributing to the reduction of current congestion levels in our
cities."
FACTS:
a.. Scooters are as energy efficient as buses per passenger mile
b.. Five motorcycles can be parked in the space occupied by one car.
c.. A typical scooter consumes between 55% and 81% less fuel than a car
for the same journey
ENDS
Background:
MAG Ireland (Irish Motorcyclist's Action Group) was set up in 1985 and
represents the interests of Ireland's 40,000 motorcyclists, scooterists and
moped users.
Areas tackled by MAG Ireland include road safety, training, road
conditions, technical harmonisation, tax issues, consumer issues affecting
riders, licencing and insurance.
MAG Ireland offers a wide range of benefits to its membership of over four
thousand riders including discounts at many retail outlets and events, a
subscription to Ireland's
largest circulation motorcyclist magazine, a health insurance scheme and
information service.
For further information contact
Karen Kiely
National Campaigns Officer
+ 353 1 453 07 97
campaigns@magireland.org
MAG Ireland
1b Ring Terrace
Inchicore
Dublin 8
Republic of Ireland