The Editor,
I am a motorcyclist in Surrey. I am not a fair-weather motorcyclist – my motorcycle is my daily means of transport to and from work in both summer and winter.
I ride my motorcycle because I love it. I love it because it saves the environment and it offers a solution to the traffic problems in Surrey that seem to get worse month by month. Motorcycling keeps me alert and has turned me into a better motorist at times I do drive a car when my family is with me. If more people could be motorcyclists, Surrey could only benefit from it.
There is, however, one thing lacking that could increase my joy as a motorcyclist and encourage others to become daily motorcycle commuters – we should give motorcycles permission to ride in the bicycle lanes.
In Surrey, one rarely sees these lanes being utilized by cyclists but even if they are, it will be no problem to let motorcycles and bicycles share these lanes.
Motorcyclists are sensitive to the dangers facing cyclists as their own lives depend on managing these dangers to an even greater extent every time they mount a motorcycle. They will be super aware and cautious when approaching and passing cyclists.
They will not hinder the flow of bicycles at all but will reap huge time-saving and safety benefits, should they be allowed to share bicycle lanes with ordinary bicycles and electric scooters.
Why are motorcyclists being neglected and treated as if they are space-taking, fuel-burning and congestion-inducing vehicles? Why can we not be appreciated in Surrey? Why can we not share bicycle lanes with those who serve the very same purpose we serve –perhaps even better than they do?
Gabriel J Snyman, Surrey
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