Motorcycles and scooters in Prague will be able to ride in the bus lane
Other means of transport will be able to enter the designated lanes for public transport buses in Prague. In addition to police officers, guards, rescuers or taxi drivers, there will also be points for motorcycles and scooters. Some sections are also open to cyclists. The plan was approved by the road administration office and the city is waiting for the acquisition of legal authority. The reason for introducing the changes is to increase safety and smooth traffic. This was announced to ČTK today by the acting mayor’s deputy Adam Scheinherr (Prague Sobě). 66 kilometers of lanes are reserved for public transport buses in Prague.
“Allowing motorcycles in bus lanes will not only increase the safety of motorcyclists, but also benefit them. This benefits the city because motorbikes take up much less public parking space than cars,” said Scheinherr. The measure is now posted on the official board and the city management is waiting for it to become legally binding. According to the deputy, this will happen in January and then the traffic signs will be gradually changed during the spring, which will make the change effective.
The novelty will also enable smoother and safer operation. Motorcyclists and scooter riders often use the lanes to overtake queues and then move back into the lanes between cars. The new will limit these maneuvers, which are often dangerous, reducing the risk of accidents. Safety will also increase for cyclists, as they are motorcycles and the experience will not be compromised by the aforementioned crossing between lanes. At the same time, cyclists will expect that motorbikes and scooters also use the lanes.
The flow of bus traffic in the reserved lanes will not be affected by the new measures, as the speed of motorcycles is comparable to buses. “Therefore, no negative impacts are expected,” writes the office in the decision.
Last year, 4.4 kilometers of dedicated lanes were added in Prague, the length of which was thus extended to 66 kilometers. He wants to expand the lanes in the future as well, and is examining, among other things, the possibilities of establishing them in Českobrodská Street between the Blatov and Na Vaňhová stops, in Horoměřická Street in the entire rise from Šárecký údolí to the Bořislavka stop, and in Náchodská Street from the Prague border to the edge of the Horní Počernice development.
With the contribution of CTK.