Motorcyclists could be enjoying smoother journeys through Brighton & Hove if a trial allowing two-wheelers in a key bus-lane proves successful.
The city council is staging an 18-month trial permitting mopeds, scooters and motorbikes in the A270 Lewes Road, starting May 6. They will be allowed in the bus lanes between the Vogue gyratory and Stony Mere Way near Sussex University.
It follows the successful introduction in 2014 of motorcycles into two other main bus lanes in the city – on the A23 London Road and the A259 Rottingdean road.
The council stresses only these three bus lanes are open to motorcycles. They are marked with special signs depicting both a motorcycle and a bus. Riders should stay out of all other bus lanes in the city.
Junctions have been given distinctive red markings warning drivers to expect moving traffic in bus lanes. Lane changing behaviour, speed and safety impacts will be monitored throughout the trial, with an emphasis on motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Three-wheeled vehicles and motorcycles with sidecars are excluded from the Lewes Road trial.
Chair of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, Cllr Gill Mitchell said: “We’re trying to see if we can safely improve journey times for motorbikes, scooters and mopeds. Allowing motorcycles in bus lanes seems to have worked well elsewhere in the city. Riders have appreciated the difference and there appears no serious disruption to bus services. We very much welcome feedback on how people think it is working during the trial.”
Anyone can respond to the traffic order setting out the changes by clicking here.
Motorcyclists can use bus lanes on parts of the A23 and A259 on a permanent basis. These are between Carden Avenue and Preston Drove on the A23 and from Telscombe Cliffs Way to the Ovingdean roundabout on the A259. Again, three-wheelers and sidecars are not permitted in the bus lane.