Motorcycle bus lane signs to be removed

News story
Road signs permitting motorcyclists to ride in selected bus lanes around Perth will be removed.
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Car driving next to bus lane sign

A trial allowing motorcycle riders to share the bus lanes concluded that there are no safety benefits, and that poor visibility and line of sight of motorcyclists posed a road safety risk.

The ‘shared’ bus lane signs will be removed from the following routes:

  • Fitzgerald St
  • Beaufort St
  • South Street
  • Ranford Road
  • Albany Highway

After the conclusion of a Public Transport Authority trial, the Road Safety Commission examined the available information to ascertain road safety implications of allowing motorcycles in bus lanes, including:

  • Consultation with key stakeholders
  • Results of the trial led by the Public Transport Authority1
  • Local crash data
  • Results from similar international trials and road safety research evidence 2 & 3
  • Video footage provided by the PTA4

Consideration of the full breadth of information and evidence guided the recommendation not to continue   or expand the trial.

  • An increased risk of collisions between drivers turning right and motorcycles driving in the bus lane who continue straight ahead
  • Pedestrians crossing the roads and ‘not seeing’ motorcycle riders due to a recognised limitation of the human brain known as ‘inattentional blindness’
  • Speed differentials worsening between motorcycles using bus lanes and queues of stationary traffic, with differences in speed being recognised as a factor that can increase crash risk
  • Similar international trials concluding a substantial increase in crashes involving motorcycle riders in bus lanes

The State Government is committed to improving the safety of motorcyclists, including ongoing research and education through the WA Centre for Road Safety Research, enhancements to the motorcycle graduated rider licensing program and contributing to a national motorcycle clothing testing program, MotoCAP.

Motorcyclists need to be aware that a $100 infringement and 3 demerit points apply to drivers of vehicles using bus lanes illegally, as stated in the Road Traffic Code 2000.