Bikers in Bes Lanes N.I.

Reposted from ni.motorcycles, thanks Tants. Way to go and interesting about
Paisley Jnr.

http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/news.asp

Motorcyclists across Northern Ireland were jubilant at the announcement in
the press this month that bikers in the province would be legally allowed to
ride in Bus lanes from March 22nd 2004. The announcement was embraced by the
motorcyclists and riders groups who have campaigned endlessly for access to
bus lanes since 1996.

The Northern Ireland Motorcycle Action Group welcomed the statement from
Alan Keys of the local Roads Division, which will see bikers granted access
to numerous bus lanes for an experimental period of 18 months. Northern
Ireland Regional MAG Rep, Barry Barr comments, "For a long period of years
MAG has been involved in the campaign to give riders this accessibility and
freedom in our towns and cities. There are over 100,000 motorcyclists in the
province, many of which will benefit from the ability to ride their bikes in
selected bus lanes. We would urge bikers to respect the concession made by
the Roads Division and benefit from it where possible. It is important that
we are not seen to be abusing our new right to ride and as ever ride with
caution and respect to other road users."

Three years ago Ian Paisley Jr's Democratic Unionist Party took on board the
issue of bikers in bus lanes on behalf of riders rights
groups. A keen biker and MAG member Mr Paisley comments, "In power we have
delivered for bikers in Northern Ireland. In the
Department for Regional Development Gregory Campbell and Peter Robinson MP
supported to ensure that motorcycles were at long last given access to bus
lanes. In the Assembly Sammy Wilson and myself have vigorously campaigned
for the interests of Powered Two Wheelers. But there are other issues which
the Motorcycle Action Group is campaigning for which the DUP intends to
deliver on, such as ensuring resources for the continuation of Road Racing
in Ulster and backing inspirational groups such as MAG 100% on the issue of
secure motorcycle parking."

The government's objective is to make the most efficient use of road space
and to encourage other modes of transport, those more
environmentally friendly than the car. The project is however experimental
and the behaviour of motorcyclists and scooter riders
alike will be monitored in bus lanes over the next year and a half. A
decision will then be made to whether or not bus lanes are
made available to bikers on a permanent basis.

NI Rep Barry Barr concludes, "Other major cities in the UK have granted
access to bus lanes for many years such as the successful scheme operated in
Bristol. There are many other pilot projects in operation throughout the UK
and it is up to motorcyclists to react sensibly to ensure that the trial
operations become permanent."

 

I see they've finally got the "bikes only" bit in the sea-front
car-park in Bangor now.

I remember the DIY one...

 

don't lorries, vans, ambulances, steam-engines, traction-engines,
fire-engines, pantechnicons, juggernauts, horse-drawn-carriages and
badly-drawn-boys use them too?

 

I'm still waiting to find out what a 'Bes' is.

 

Don't download the posts so often you sad sack!
See, I withdrew it and posted it again up there ^^^ within about 10
seconds

 

*snort*

your sig sep is fucked....

 

I'll tell you on Monday when you're happier.

 

Yes, Please

 

I believe they banned the dog carts after several instances of dogs being
eaten by natives, if that helps.


--
Nidge
ZX6R J2 Stunning in zit yellow. KX 125 MX 'I'm snot green -fly ME'. A few
bits of CB500S in Norwegian Parrot blue. BOTAFOT#63

'Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand'.
Homer (Simpson).