12/04/2002 Immediate Release
Minister rejects opportunity to alleviate commuting gridlock and reduce road accidents.
With increasing numbers of commuters turning to the use of motorcycles, scooters
and mopeds as a solution to our cities' traffic gridlock, the Department of
the Environment (Housing and Urban renewal) has once again refused to allow
these vulnerable road users access to Bus Lanes.
Responding to representations made on behalf of Ireland's 30,000 Powered Two Wheel (PTW) vehicle users by Motorcyclists'Action Group (MAG) Ireland, Former Junior Minister Mr Molloy's department has decided to ignore the evidence in support of such a measure and will not proceed with a pilot scheme to study the feasability of allowing motorcycles into Bus Lanes.
"Despite overwhelming evidence from the U.K. and other E.U. countries in which bus lanes are open to more environmentally friendly and efficient modes of transport such as motorcycles, the Department of the Environment and Local Government has chosen to defy logic, denying Ireland's harassed commuters any alleviation to the present traffic chaos. Add to this the situation such as on the Lucan By-Pass where a 24-hour bus lane is in operation in the absence of a 24-hour bus service and the former Minister's position on this issue becomes farcical," says MAG Ireland Campaigns Officer Karen Kiely.
"Dublin Corporation, 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."
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. The experience in U.K. towns and cities such as Bristol, Birmingham, Reading, Colchester and Hull where motorcycles are allowed to use bus lanes has been positive, with Swindon following suit this year and schemes planned for London and Glasgow. Why is our government ignoring the evidence and denying Irish commuters the opportunity to travel efficiently and safely to work?"
ENDS
Background:
MAG Ireland (Irish Motorcyclist's Action Group) was set up in 1985 and represents
the interests of Ireland's 30,000 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 call
Karen Kiely, National Campaigns Officer
MAG Ireland Head Office: 01 4530797
Mobile: 086 8632444