Riders across the UK are rallying behind MAG’s motorcycle bus lane access UK petition to demand fair, consistent rules for using bus lanes. Last November, under former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, a key consultation to make motorcycle access the default was rejected, leaving us stuck with confusing local policies. Now, with Heidi Alexander as Transport Secretary, could her London experience change the game? MAG’s Director of Campaigns and Political Engagement, Colin Brown, is leading the charge with our petition. Let’s unpack Alexander’s past, spotlight MAG’s decades-long fight, and call every rider to join us.
The Haigh Setback: A Blow to Motorcycle Bus Lane Access
In March 2024, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation on motorcycle bus lane access that gave riders hope. With 14,327 responses—thousands from our community—it felt like momentum was building. MAG has long championed consistent bus lane access, pointing to TfL’s Red Routes, where motorcycles have cut journey times safely since 2012. Yet, on November 21, 2024, Haigh’s DfT halted progress, citing “insufficient evidence” on safety and low council feedback. For MAG, it was a bitter pill—riders deserve clear rules to reduce risks, not a postcode lottery. Our motorcycle bus lane access UK petition is fighting to fix this.
Heidi Alexander: London Roots, Untapped Potential
Heidi Alexander became Transport Secretary on November 29, 2024, after Haigh stepped down. Riders might see promise in her role as Deputy Mayor for Transport under Sadiq Khan (2018–2021), where she helped shape the 2018 Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS). The MTS included Proposal 11c, urging all London boroughs to allow motorcycle bus lane access for safety and consistency—a goal MAG fully backs. It was a bold step, aligning with our push for fairer roads.
MAG has a history of engaging directly with policymakers to drive this change. In 2018, we met with Sadiq Khan and Heidi Alexander to press for motorcycle bus lane access and broader rider support. That meeting, documented on our site (MAG Meets Mayor Khan), was a milestone—showing our commitment to dialogue. Below, you’ll see MAG’s Colin Brown (far left) alongside Heidi Alexander (second from left) at that 2018 meeting, a moment that underscores our long game. As politicians like Alexander rise to new roles, our consistent advocacy ensures riders’ voices stay in the room.
Why Proposal 11c Stalled
But back then, under Alexander’s watch, Proposal 11c fizzled out. As Deputy Mayor, she had the chance to drive motorcycle bus lane access forward, but no public statements or campaigns pushed boroughs to act. Instead, her focus was on big wins like the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), better buses, and cycleways. TfL’s Travel in London reports (2018–2021) obsess over walking and cycling (aiming for 80% mode share by 2041) while barely mentioning motorcycles, which make up just 0.6% of trips. In 2021, Alexander praised 24-hour bus lane trials, noting motorcycles could use them, but she didn’t call for borough-wide change. For riders, Proposal 11c was a promise unkept.
The obstacles were steep. London’s boroughs, controlling 95% of roads, resisted change. Boroughs like Hackney and Lewisham prioritized cyclist safety, blocking motorcycles from bus lanes. TfL could only offer guidance, not mandates. The 2018 London Assembly Transport Committee slammed TfL for “no progress” on Proposal 11c, with zero boroughs opening bus lanes. By 2024, that held true—MAG’s DfT submissions called out this inaction. Alexander’s priorities leaned elsewhere: TfL’s post-2020 budget crunch funnelled funds to cycleways (£5m extra in 2024) and buses, side-lining riders. Cyclist groups, vocal about shared lanes, drowned out our case for motorcycle bus lane access.
Can Alexander Champion Riders Now?
As Transport Secretary, Alexander could steer motorcycle bus lane access onto the national stage. Her London days exposed her to TfL’s data: Red Route bus lanes show motorcycles are safe and efficient. Her April 10 speech in York, rejecting a “war on motorists,” hints at practical thinking that could include riders. MAG welcomed her role, eager to collaborate on licensing and emissions, but bus lanes remain untested. Will she revisit the DfT’s 2024 rejection? Push councils for consistency? It’s possible—Proposal 11c shows she’s seen the argument—but her silence then suggests riders must demand attention. That’s where MAG’s consistency pays off: our 2018 meeting with Alexander proves we’ve been in this fight for the long haul, ready to engage as careers like hers evolve.
MAG’s Petition: Colin Brown’s Vision, Our Fight
MAG is leading the charge, and our motorcycle bus lane access UK petition—launched by Colin Brown, Director of Campaigns and Political Engagement—is at the heart of it. Hosted at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712763, it demands the DfT reverse last year’s decision and make bus lane access the default. With over 18,000 signatures, it’s gaining traction, but 100,000 for a parliamentary debate is a steep climb. Here’s the power we hold: the UK has 1.2 million riders. If just 8% of us sign, we’ll hit that goal. That’s not a dream—it’s a challenge MAG knows we can conquer if every biker, commuter, and weekend warrior unites.
We’re amplifying our voice with #riders4buslanes. Flood social media with why motorcycle bus lane access matters—safer rides, less gridlock, smoother commutes. Tag friends, share videos, and let’s show Alexander and the DfT that riders won’t be ignored. This is about our right to ride with fairness and safety.
Join Colin’s petition now at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712763. Sign it, share it, and post with #riders4buslanes. Together, we’ll push Heidi Alexander to act—or force Parliament to hear us. Ride for change with MAG!