Boris extends bikes in bus lanes

LONDON MAYOR Boris Johnson has granted motorcycles continued use of London bus lanes, despite a reported increase in accidents involving cyclists and motorcycles.

The initiative, which allows bikers access to all Transport for London (TfL) bus lanes, had raised concerns over the safety of cyclists. But despite an increase in accidents involving motorcyclists and pedal cyclists in London bus lanes Mr Johnson said the move had "substantial support".

Research published by Transport for London found that in 10 months, the collision rate rose by 273 per cent for cyclists using bus lanes and 133 per cent for motorcyclists. But the results involve collisions with four-wheelers, rather than between the two groups of two wheelers.

"The chaos that was predicted by some doomsayers has clearly not materialised and, as I suspected would be the case, we have found substantial support for the measure," said Mr Johnson.