Re: [St] The Future of Motorcycling

[Gavin Lawrie <gavin.lawrie@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 22 Mar 2008, at 01:02, David Jonas wrote:

> Perhaps I don't undersatand what the problem is.  Is the state  
> minister ill
> informed?  I am assuming he thinks that "motorcycles = irresponsible  
> and
> dangerous behaviour".  Am I correct in my assumption?  Or am I  
> missing the
> point of your message?

It might just be politicians chasing votes.  In London (UK) there is  
an election in process for the new 'Mayor' (largely ceremonial  
position, major responsibility seems to be co-ordinating transport  
systems within London).  Much discussion recently about whether  
motorcycles should be allowed in 'bus lanes' (bits of normal roads  
reserved for buses, taxis and bicycles during peak hours).  Current  
mayor commissioned report into whether this was a good idea, and it  
found (during a trial) that accidents involving motorcycles fell, and  
injuries to pedestrians also fell.  Largely this appears to be due to  
a reduction in filtering between lanes of congestion on parts of  
outside bus lane.  But current mayor close to 'green' /  
'environmental'  groups and these for various reasons are against  
motorcycles (we should all use buses or cycle presumably).  So report  
findings initially repressed (i.e. go and write something anti-bike)  
but eventually made it into public domain.  When asked at a husting  
about whether he would act on findings (and let motorcycles use bus  
lanes) he replied 'No'.  When challenged on this he said (apparently)  
'if you want bikes in bus lanes you should vote for the other  
candidate'.  It seems that being true to your pressure groups is more  
important in modern politics than being sensible for your  
electorate...  Sounds like given what's going on in Oz this is a  
global effect.

regards

Gavin Lawrie
ST'03

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