Study proves bikes cut rush hour congestion

Everyone benefits from motorcycle commuters

Posted: 23 May 2012
by Visordown News

A STUDY into motorway traffic flow has found that commuters who travel by motorcycle during rush hour help to ease flow and congestion.

Conducted by Belgian transport specialists, TML, the study focussed on a 10-mile stretch of road starting from Leuven into the capital, Brussels. Using sophisticated sensors and a traffic modeling system, this allowed TML to predict the effect on traffic if one in ten commuters switched from a car to a motorcycle.

The research saw that the remaining 90 per cent of car drivers had their journey time decrease by up to eight minutes during the peak time of rush hour. The time wasted per vehicle occupant because of congestions or ‘lost vehicle hours’ was cut down to 706 hours from 1,925 hours in single morning in rush hour.

The understanding behind the findings illustrated that as the traffic came to a standstill bikes are able to filter through stationery vehicles and in effect take up no room on the road, easing traffic flow and reducing congestion.

A previous study found that drivers can waste up to 58 hours weeks of their lives in traffic. Read our top tips for gaining time by motorcycle commuting.



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200Bob
It's nice to have it confirmed but might I observe that these guys at Belgian transport specialist TML must all have degrees in stating the b****y obvious.

Transport and Mobility Leuven appears to be financed by money from the European Commission. If they were a "for profit" business they wouldn't waste time and resources on this study. They could just ask someone.

Posted: 23/05/2012 at 10:58


Maverick Renegade
I wish I got paid for this kind of thing. It's easy:

Study reveals that cars are bigger than motorcycles.

Research shows that tyres worn past the recommended levels will grip less.

Study shows that lights at night decrease the risk of crashing.

Research shows that study and research into very obvious things is a complete waste of money.

Study shows that governments that are completely wasting their money may be in financial crisis!!!

Posted: 23/05/2012 at 11:09


Hugh Jarse

The two posters above clearly haven't enjoyed the pleasures of a university - maybe failed the entry exam? Who knows.

 

Lots of people say this or that is obvious - trouble is you need evidence to change policy etc. It's no good turning up at an enquiry and saying " My mate says red bikes are faster and safer- it's bleeding obvious". You'll be booted out the door. Rightly too.

 

Guys like the two posters above would damage biking if they were let loose. 8 out of 10 bikers who expressed a preference agree with me.


Posted: 23/05/2012 at 11:19


Maverick Renegade
Hugh, it's called a joke. Like your name.. Joke? Geddit?

Of course we understand the need for evidence. University hasn't got anything to do with it. In fact, had I gone to University I'd most likely be worse off now because I would've had to work my way through the conventional hierarchy, rather than going straight to what I want to do. I had that foresight after I got my 3 A's at A level.

Posted: 23/05/2012 at 12:32


Hugh Jarse

Well Mav, I am annoyed you think my name is a joke. That IS my name, and it's made me into a bareknuckle fighter as you can imagine. I had to be.

University certainly isn't everything - I didn't get a degree till my 30s , having been a steel fabricator before. Yes there are wallies in Unis, but everywhere else too.

 

If I had my time again, I'd still do Uni, but I wouldn't like the problems students face now with debt. In fact I couldn't have gone to uni.


Posted: 23/05/2012 at 12:37


Maverick Renegade
Sorry Hugh, that must've been tough.. Yep, I wasn't trying to say Uni is bad, for some people it's great. Wouldn't like starting life with that debt either though!!

Posted: 23/05/2012 at 12:49


Hugh Jarse

Yes I'm old enough just to have got a grant - which I'd paid for with years of taxes.  Otherwise no chance for a degree. My old job (oil construction) was drying up so I had to change.

 

To be honest, I missed the banter of the workshop and construction site. Which is why I have a sense of humour which some just don't get. It's industrial humour which can be quite strong in character. I've been at the receiving end of it too. Stops you taking yourself too seriously,when you get wound up - and then you realise!


Posted: 23/05/2012 at 14:21


Maverick Renegade
I used to do labour work when I was younger and trying to get ahead in music. Completely know what you mean about the banter; brutal and brilliant, I miss it too actually.. Well done on getting your degree though mate, great stuff! Luckily, my girlfriend (believe it or not!) almost replaces the banter.. If I even look like I might take myself too seriously, she rips the piss out of me... :D

Posted: 24/05/2012 at 12:12

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