Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced at the start of July 2012, the opening of two new bus lanes in Belfast city centre, on Oxford Street and East Bridge Street, both of which will allow access for motorcycles.
 
The Minister said: “The new bus lanes are part of the Belfast on the Move Transport Masterplan and will give priority to buses. The lanes will also be available to motorcycles, bicycles and Belfast public hire taxis. Drivers should take extra care when travelling in the city centre area until they are familiar with the new traffic management arrangements.”
 
The new bus lanes opened on Thursday 5th July 2012.

The Oxford Street bus lanes will give priority to buses between Queen’s Bridge and May Street from 7.00am - 7.00pm, Monday to Saturday.
 
The East Bridge Street bus lane will be in operation Monday - Friday 7.30-9.30am and 3.30-6.30pm and will assist buses approaching from the east from incurring delays at the signalised junctions.
 
Both bus lanes will be clearly delineated with solid white lines and associated signs.
 
The Minister also said: “Associated works are now underway in May Street, Donegall Square South and Howard Street, to provide further bus priority measures over the summer months.”
 
These works include;
 
·         the reconfiguration of the pedestrian facilities at the junction of Bedford Street

·         the provision of new traffic signals at Donegall Square South / Linenhall Street, including a bus gate

·         one way traffic northbound on Linenhall Street between James Street South and Donegall Square South and

·         one way traffic northbound on Alfred Street between Sussex Place and May Street.

The Minister added: “Further traffic management works are planned across the city centre until Summer 2013 for the full implementation of the ‘Sustainable Transport Enabling Measures’ (STEM).
 
“Ongoing works at Grosvenor Road / Durham Street and Sandy Row / Hope Street will provide an alternative south-north bypass of the city centre via Hope Street, Sandy Row and Durham Street. These works are due to be completed later in the summer.”

The STEM proposals include:
 
The re-routing of northbound through traffic from Great Victoria Street onto Hope Street and Durham Street with south bound traffic continuing to use Great Victoria Street. Grosvenor Road will become one-way westbound and College Square North one-way eastbound.
 
The redistribution of existing road space in city centre streets to provide extensive bus priority measures for use by public transport, taxis and cyclists.
 
The delivery of 20 new controlled pedestrian crossing points; about 2.6km of new bus lanes which will also accommodate cyclists and taxis; 340m of new dedicated service bays; 1km of new dedicated cycle lanes; and over 40 additional dedicated disabled parking bays.

At Right To Ride we have been assured that motorcycles (Powered Two Wheelers – Motorcycles – Scooters – mopeds) will have the necessary access within these proposals.
 
Original Source

Information
 
Further details are available on the ‘Belfast on the Move’ website 
 
Right To Ride - Bikes In Bus Lanes

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A survey carried out for the Motorcycle industry* researched the impact of bikers on the tourist industry and found that Motorcycle-related tourism spending in the UK is over £565 million each year, supporting over 13, 000 tourism jobs.

In recent years the most significant growth in motorcyclists has been in female riders and with this the rise in longer stays under bricks & mortar such as B&B's, hotels, cottages, etc, rather than just for one night... Many riders know there is nothing worse than arriving somewhere after a long ride, unpacking, showering, eating, drinking, sleeping and then up the next day to pack up and move on. With this there is a significant rise in finding a great Biker Friendly place to stay as a base for a few days and then to go out each day to tour and explore the area.

Hoteliers, cafes, pubs, event organisers and other tourist related organisations could be getting more money from the biker pound, by choosing the correct medium to promote themselves within, especially as many Bikers travel in the UK for their holidays, along with overseas motorcycling tourists spending over £17 million on trips here.

The traditional stereotype of bikers being free-spirited, leather clad hooligan is thing of the past, according to research** the profile of the ‘average biker’ in 21st Century Britain, a seemingly upstanding, 40+-something middle-class citizen who is a married, professional, family man, who almost certainly owns a car. Challenging the old perceptions of bikers even further, only 7% sport either long hair or a pony tail. This is probably because nearly 60% of those surveyed hold down a professional senior/management job, taking home an average wage 25% higher than the national average.

By simply advertising your business as 'Biker friendly' here on THE BIKER GUIDE is letting this niche audience know that you welcome them, which many times is enough in itself... by also offering drying facilities, garaged and/or secure parking is a bonus and not a necessary, for you to capitalise on this growing market.

Other interesting facts:

More than half of all motorcyclists are over 40, with the vast majority of motorcycle tourists being in this age category.

“The lack of interest in the motorcycle tourism sector may be due to a perceived image of rebellious youthful bikers which is at odds with their current demographic," (Dr Cater, lecturer at Aberystwyth University).

* by GHK on behalf of the MCI ** by Bennetts

A survey carried out for the Motorcycle industry* researched the impact of bikers on the tourist industry and found that Motorcycle-related tourism spending in the UK is over £565 million each year, supporting over 13, 000 tourism jobs.

In recent years the most significant growth in motorcyclists has been in female riders and with this the rise in longer stays under bricks & mortar such as B&B's, hotels, cottages, etc, rather than just for one night... Many riders know there is nothing worse than arriving somewhere after a long ride, unpacking, showering, eating, drinking, sleeping and then up the next day to pack up and move on. With this there is a significant rise in finding a great Biker Friendly place to stay as a base for a few days and then to go out each day to tour and explore the area.

Hoteliers, cafes, pubs, event organisers and other tourist related organisations could be getting more money from the biker pound, by choosing the correct medium to promote themselves within, especially as many Bikers travel in the UK for their holidays, along with overseas motorcycling tourists spending over £17 million on trips here.

The traditional stereotype of bikers being free-spirited, leather clad hooligan is thing of the past, according to research** the profile of the ‘average biker’ in 21st Century Britain, a seemingly upstanding, 40+-something middle-class citizen who is a married, professional, family man, who almost certainly owns a car. Challenging the old perceptions of bikers even further, only 7% sport either long hair or a pony tail. This is probably because nearly 60% of those surveyed hold down a professional senior/management job, taking home an average wage 25% higher than the national average.

By simply advertising your business as 'Biker friendly' here on THE BIKER GUIDE is letting this niche audience know that you welcome them, which many times is enough in itself... by also offering drying facilities, garaged and/or secure parking is a bonus and not a necessary, for you to capitalise on this growing market.

Other interesting facts:

More than half of all motorcyclists are over 40, with the vast majority of motorcycle tourists being in this age category.

“The lack of interest in the motorcycle tourism sector may be due to a perceived image of rebellious youthful bikers which is at odds with their current demographic," (Dr Cater, lecturer at Aberystwyth University).

* by GHK on behalf of the MCI
** by Bennetts

An unrivalled helping of motorcycling goodness will be served up at one of the biggest bike shows in the World!

Dozens of clubs and hundreds of traders have already signed up to attend the 19th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show which takes place at Stafford County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford ST18 0BD on Saturday, October 20, and Sunday, October 21.

More than 1000 traders showcased their wares at last year’s event and this year it looks certain to be larger still – offering an even greater selection of bikes, parts, tools, leathers, maintenance services, insurance, workshop manuals, books, magazines, memorabilia, transfers and even gifts.

Club stands are being booked up fast too, more than 60 at the last count, so you can see a bevy of beautiful 1960s, 70s and 80s machines looking their very best.

Mortons show organizer Nick Mowbray said: “We love classic motorcycles and we’re going to deliver the sort of show we’d like to visit ourselves. Our line-up brings together everything and everyone you need to help you own, restore, ride and maintain the finest machines of yesteryear.

“With hundreds of stalls to explore and dozens of club stands to admire, it’s going to be a very good weekend indeed.”

Free parking will be plentiful on both days and dogs are welcome as long as they're on a lead.

Gates are open 9am to 6pm on the Saturday and 9am to 5pm on the Sunday.

Book now to avoid disappointment and take advantage of discounted prices. Pre-booked one-day tickets cost £10 for adults, £8.50 for senior citizens and £3 for under 15s. Two-day tickets cost £20 for adults, £17 for senior citizens and £6 for under 15s. Camping costs £40 for the weekend.

You can even arrive on Friday and get a three-day ticket. These cost £30 for adults, £25.50 for senior citizens and £9 for under 15s.

If you choose to pay on the day tickets will cost £12 for adults, £10.50 for senior citizens and £4 for under 15s.

Call our pre-booked discount ticket hotline today on 01507 529529. To book a stand, call 01507 529430.

www.mortons.co.uk

The average sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is just four years – 62 per cent shorter than for manslaughter, according to road safety charity the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists)1.
 
The average sentence length of manslaughter is 6.6 years. Those sentenced to prison for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving are given an average sentence of 1.3 years. Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs has an average sentence of 4.35 years.
 
Fifty-three per cent of those convicted of causing death or bodily harm through driving offences were sentenced to immediate custody (260 people) in 20112. This has dropped from the 83 per cent sentenced to immediate custody in 2001.
 
Fines for drink driving are also lower in real terms than they were ten years ago. In 2001 the average fine for drink driving was £203 – the average £240 fine in 2011 was equivalent to just £178 in 2001 prices – a 12.3 per cent decrease3.
 
The average fine for careless driving is £138, 27 per cent less in real terms than it was in 2001. Dangerous driving is the only area with tougher fines. The average fine is £518 – 30 per cent more in real terms than in 2001.
 
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “We recently discovered that the number of prosecutions for motoring offences have fallen. Now it is clear that drivers are also receiving short sentences for some of the most serious driving offences.
 
“Magistrates are handing out fines for drink driving that are less than five per cent of the maximum amount possible, giving the message that drink driving only warrants a slap on the wrist. Only sentences that reflect the seriousness of the crime will act as a proper deterrent.”

1. These figures are the result of a freedom of information request made by the IAM to the Ministry of Justice, figures received July 2012.
2. Ministry of Justice, ‘Criminal Justice Statistics 2011’ Motoring tables published July 2012 http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/criminal-justice/criminal-justice-statistics
3. As above
4. The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycling and cycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving, motorcycling and cycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.

www.iam.org.uk