MOTORCYCLES should be removed from bus lanes and high-powered machines should get speed limiters, according to the Green Party.
The Greens’ transport policy says the party would introduce speed limiters for powerful motorcycles to encourage riders onto small ones such as ‘scooters and mopeds’.
Other measure would include ‘strict noise limits’.
The party says it ‘does not wish to see increased use of motorcycles because they emit pollution and noise and can endanger road users’.
On bus lanes, the policy says: ‘For the safety of other users, the Green Party does not feel it appropriate for motorcyclists to be able to use any priority measures put in for pedestrians and cyclists, including those shared with public transport.’
The policy also advocates speed restrictions for cars, saying: 'Vehicles would not be permitted for road use that had the ability to travel at greater speeds than the majority of EU national maximum speed levels.'
The party has one MP, Caroline Lucas, in the Brighton Pavilion constituency, where motorcycles are allowed to use selected bus lanes.
The Motorcycle Action Group attacked the party in a recent Facebook post, accusing it of being clueless about bikes and posting a link to the policy.
MAG wrote: ‘Oh dear. Despite allowing bikes in bus lanes, in Brighton (which seems to be the exception rather than the rule), the Green Party still seems to not have a clue about bikes.’
A section on motorcycles in the policy, which was last updated in September 2014, says:
‘TR320 Smaller, low powered motorcycles are generally preferable to cars (especially those with a single occupant) as they take up less road space and are more economic consumers of fuel. However, the Green Party does not wish to see increased use of motorcycles because they emit pollution and noise and can endanger road users. The aim is to encourage much less use of high powered machines and for low powered machines to offer an alternative for those who currently use these or cars and could not transfer to more sustainable modes.
‘TR321 The Green Party would take measures to encourage a transfer of motor cycle manufacture and use from larger, powerful machines to less powerful ones including scooters and mopeds. These would include setting and enforcing strict noise limits and, for higher powered machines, speed limiters.
‘TR322 For the safety of other users, the Green Party does not feel it appropriate for motorcyclists to be able to use any priority measures put in for pedestrians and cyclists, including those shared with public transport.’
Some Facebook users said it would affect their vote in the May 7 general election. One wrote on MAG's page: ‘Greens just lost my vote. I ride, I vote.’
A Green Party spokesperson said: 'Green Party transport policy prioritises journeys on foot, by bicycle and by public transport. This is to ensure that wherever people live and whatever their financial situation, they have convenient and affordable access to shops, health services, employment and education.
'Our policy aims to minimise potential harm to others. Motorbikes with smaller engines and mopeds are useful additions to the transport mix in areas where public transport options are scarce, but it is right to prioritise journeys by public transport on foot and by bike as these reduce carbon emissions, reduce danger and keep pollution to a minimum.'
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