Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found at:-

https://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=484&MId=4360&Ver=4

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

Councillor Yuill declared an interest as a member of Cycling UK but remained in the meeting during consideration of the item.

Councillor Sandra Macdonald declared an interest as a member of NESTRANS but remained in the meeting during consideration of the item.

We the undersigned petition the council to allow the use of motorcycles to use the city bus lanes at all times.

Justification

Other UK cities allow this without any issues I feel this is safer for both cars and motorcycles users.

The Committee had before it the following petition which had been submitted by the lead petitioner Mr Stewart McCann.  Mr McCann was supported by Caroline Hood and Mr Andrew Winstanley –

“We the undersigned, petition the Council to allow the use of motorcycles to use the city bus lanes at all times.”

The Convener explained the process and invited the petitioners to present their case to the Committee.

Caroline Hood advised that she would highlight three main issues in regard to the petitions, these being:-

(1)          Safety

(2)          Reduced journey times; and

(3)          Environmental benefits.

In regard to safety, Ms Hood explained that motorcyclists made up only 1% of road users; however 19% of road deaths were from motorcyclists.  Ms Hood advised that filtering through traffic was acceptable and formed part of the Highway Code, however many car users did not allow motorcyclists to pass through, which could result in safety concerns.  It was also highlighted that pedal cyclists could use bus lanes at present.  Ms Hood also provided information on the North East Road Casualty Reduction Strategy and highlighted that Aberdeen City Council was a member.

Ms Hood went on to explain that a case study was carried out in 2011 in London and during the trials, it showed that allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes meant a reduction in journey times and also a reduction in pollution.  There were no significant safety issues and there was no increase in recorded accidents.

Members then asked the petitioners a number of questions regarding the petition.

Members then asked Ken Neil, Senior Engineer, a number of questions in regard to the petition, whereby it was noted that this issue had been considered by officers in the past, but due to case studies being carried out in England and the need for consideration of the outcomes of these studies, no timescales were identified for progressing the issue at the time.  Members also discussed a publicity campaign and how it could help with educating all road users.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to request that the petition be referred to the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee for consideration.  The works would consist of an assessment of other cities schemes and the findings would be reported back to a relevant Committee; and

(ii)        to request that the report include appropriate consultation with other road user groups.

The Committee had before it the minute of the previous meeting of 14 June 2017 for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

- COUNCILLOR CLAIRE IMRIE, Convener