Motorcyclists, like cyclists, are vulnerable road users, and there are a number of issues where the two groups have interests in common. For instance, both groups are concerned about drivers who fail to see them, poorly maintained road surfaces and sudden road narrowings (which create conflict between two and four wheeled vehicles). CTC was at one with motorcycling organisations in opposing recent European Commission proposals on Daytime Running Lights, which would require all motor vehicles to have front lights switched on in daylight as well as night time.

However, CTC would also draw a distinction between policies to improve motorcyclists' safety (which we support) and those which would lead to increased use of motorcycles (which we do not believe can be justified).  We believe that, in addition to the risks which motorcycles and other Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs) pose to their riders, policy decisions in relation to motorcycling also need to reflect the threat which motorcycling poses to other road users and to the environment. PTWs are:

• Dangerous to themselves and to others. Motorcyclists place not only themselves at risk, but they are also disproportionately hazardous to pedestrians' and cyclists' safety as well.  Per mile travelled, PTWs are about 1.5 as likely as cars to be involved in collisions which cause serious injury to cyclists, twice as likely to be involved in causing them serious injuries and about three times as likely to be involved in killing them.
• Polluting. Compared with cars per vehicle-km travelled, PTWs emit 11.3 times as much methane, 6.3 times as much carbon monoxide, 9 times as much volatile organic compounds (VOCs other than methane), 7.2 times as much benzene, 12 times as much 1,3 butadeine and 8.2 times as much particulate matter, according to the latest available Government figures*.  They are also a lot noisier.  The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution stated that "Although motorcycles, mopeds and scooters, take up less road space than cars, we have not received any information that would indicate that they would have an environmental advantage over cars in other respects".
• A threat to pro-cycling policies.  Encouraging more motorcycle use will undermine efforts to promote cycling, not only because those switching to motorcycling might otherwise have switched to a healthier, safer and cleaner alternative (e.g. cycling) but also by adding to the risk faced by those who do cycle or who might be thinking about doing so.

CTC view:

• PTWs are a distinct class of vehicle not comparable to bicycles.
• PTWs should not be allowed in bus lanes, cycle lanes, advanced stop lines or vehicle-restricted areas.

For more information, see CTC's briefing on cycles and powered two wheelers (Word, 175KB)

For information on powered two wheelers in bus lanes please see here.

* Motorcycle campaigners have rightly pointed out that these figures date from 2002, and therefore do not take account of changes to emissions standards for new motorbikes which came into force in 2007.  Whilst the improvements in standards are welcome, it will still take several years for Britain's motorbike fleet overall to match the car fleet in terms of noxious emissions (the number of motorbikes sold annually in Britain is roughly 1/8 of the number owned), let alone cycling (which is of course zero emissions transport).  Hence there is still no basis for favouring motorbikes (e.g. by allowing them into bus lanes) on the basis that they are a "green" mode of transport - such claims are untenable and will doubtless remain so for several years to come.