Motorcycling in the 21st Century
The largest survey ever of motorcycle use in the United Kingdom is being undertaken by Alan Tilly, author of the 'Sandwell Strategy for Powered Two Wheelers' and honorary life member of the Motorcycle Action Group. The survey is being conducted as part of Alan's part-time PhD at the University of Southampton researching 'The Role of Motorcycling in the Twenty First Century'.
The reason for this work stems from the 1998 Transport White Paper in which it became apparent that the Government was unclear as to their position regarding motorcycles. They accepted that motorcycles are an affordable
mode of transport but were unsure whether they offer benefits for the environment and for congestion. It mentioned that this 'depends on the purpose of the journey, the size of motorcycle used and the type of transport that the rider has switched from. Mopeds and small motorcycles may produce benefits if they substitute car use but not if people switch from walking, cycling
or public transport'
The purpose of the research is to find out in what circumstances motorcycle use is 'good', that is when it is helping to alleviate traffic congestion, cut carbon dioxide emissions and provide people with access to jobs, healthcare and education. When this has been identified, the next stage is to produce advice as to how this can be achieved, in other words, how to
get the right sort of people, riding the right type of motorcycle for the right sort of trips. To do this Alan needs to understand what are the factors
that determine a person's decision to ride a motorcycle and he can only find this out by asking riders themselves, hence the survey.
Alan says, "For example, from the survey I will be able to understand why somebody who used to drive a car to work started to ride, say, a scooter. I will then be able to produce advice upon the 'buttons that need to be pressed' in order to get others to do the same. The target is to generate 10,000 replies, but with your support I hope to beat that."
MAG supports Alan's survey. The bigger response he receives, the better this analysis of the data will be to help the Government and Councils make informed decisions upon how they can make motorcycling safer and more convenient.

The Sandwell Motorcycle Strategy is available at http://www.network.mag-uk.org/documents/Sandwell_Motorcycle_Strategy.doc

Bus lanes - London trial begins
persistent campaigning pays off

After years of campaigning by MAG, the nation¹s capital city has opened a bus lane to motorcycles. 
The pilot scheme, which began on September 9, covers the A41 Finchley Road between Queens Grove North and Platts Lane during normal bus lane operating hours (7-10am and 4-7pm). 
Two more pilots are planned to follow later in the year on the A23 Brixton Road and A13 East India Dock Road. 
The Mayor's Transport Strategy planners (TfLSM) have accepted MAG's argument that motorcycles offer quick, relatively low cost private transport. 

TfLSM has been working with motorcycle groups to design this bus lane pilot to ensure it is safe for all road users, including cyclists who are already allowed in bus lanes. 
Ahead of the pilot, TfLSM has collected many hours of "before" survey data, through the use of roadside and on-board bus cameras. Monitoring will take place throughout the pilot to assess the impact of allowing motorcycles into bus lanes on the safety of all road users, and also on speeds and journey times of existing bus lane users. Monitoring will include attitudinal surveys of all user groups. 
The pilot study will be reviewed within two years, but could be amended or withdrawn earlier if circumstances demand it.

MAG are advising all riders making use of the bus lane to remember that it is crucial that no-one, cyclists in particular, have any cause to complain about motorcyclists using the bus lanes. 
Cycle groups have fiercely opposed the extension of their privilege to motorcyclists and it is crucial that their fears prove unfounded.

MAG Director of Public Affairs Trevor Baird said - 

"This has been the biggest breakthrough yet in the campaign to earn preferred transport mode status for motorcycles. This decision reflects the success of our long-standing Bikers Are Voters campaign which identified the use of bus lanes as one of its prime objectives".