§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment608W he has made of the effect of cyclists using bus lanes in terms of (a) delay caused to buses, (b) danger to other road users due to buses overtaking cyclists and (c) danger to cyclists. [146964]
§ Mr. HillAs part of an ongoing research project, my Department has commissioned a study of the use of bus lanes by cyclists. The emerging results indicate that in bus lanes of less than 3.5m, buses may be delayed by cyclists, but that this is only a significant problem if cycle flows are high. The Department's guidance on bus lanes, Local Transport Note 1–97 "Keeping Buses Moving", is that they should be designed to the recommended width of 4.25m wherever possible. That width allows buses to overtake cyclists safely, and reduces the likelihood of interference from general traffic in the adjacent lane. Pedal cyclists are allowed to use withflow bus lanes because they would be more likely to be involved in an accident if required to ride in the main traffic lane with buses passing on their nearside. Results of attitude surveys of cyclists indicate that cycling in a bus lane was considered to be safer than cycling on a similar road without a bus lane.
§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require cyclists to use cycle lanes where these are provided. [146963]
§ Mr. HillNone. We recommend that cyclists use cycle lanes on the carriageway because of the protection they can offer cyclists from other traffic. However, decisions on whether and when to use cycle lanes are for individual cyclists to take.