Push to let motorbikes drive in bus lanes in Melbourne

Victoria’s peak motorcycle body is backing moves for motorbikes to have access to bus lanes, saying the move would improve safety and reduce congestion.

Victoria’s peak motorcycle body is backing moves for motorbikes to have access to bus lanes, saying the move would improve safety and reduce congestion.

A trial of motorcyclists sharing bus lanes has been conducted at three inner city Melbourne locations with a draft report expected soon on whether to make the move permanent.

The experiment followed an eight-year trial of allowing motorcycles in the southbound bus lane on Hoddle St which became permanent in 2019.

Motorcycles on Hoddle St, Melbourne. Picture: Victorian Motorcycle Council

Test runs have been held over the past five years in both directions on Victoria Parade and also on the Eastern Freeway between Chandler Hwy and Hoddle St.

Victorian Motorcycle Council chair Rob Salvatore said the group endorsed and supported access to motorcycle bus lanes to improve rider safety.

“It also reduces congestion and helps to improve road safety for all road users.’’

“Given that motorcycles and scooters can match the speeds of a bus, we don’t find any incompatibility with their sharing of bus lanes.’’

The trial included the Eastern Freeway bus lane. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Mr Salvatore said the success of motorbikes being allowed in most bus lanes in New South Wales showed that the change could work.

“The VMC has long supported such access given the successful implementation of Hoddle St.’’

The trials ended earlier this year but riders are still allowed access to the lanes for the time being, a Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said.

Victoria Parade which has been the location of a motorbikes in bus lanes trial.

“We are considering feedback from the local community to determine if the use of bus lanes by motorcyclists improved safety and efficiency in these trial areas.”

A survey which began when the trial ended has had 1495 responses.

The latest safety move comes as 33 riders have died on Victorian roads this year, two more than at the same time last year.

The toll includes e-scooter accidents which rider groups say distorts the real data for motorcycle accidents, fatalities and serious injuries.

Since 2015 motorbikes and scooter riders have been legally allowed to filter between stopped or slow-moving traffic.

Originally published as Push to let motorbikes drive in bus lanes in Melbourne