In 2013 hundreds of people with an interest in protecting cycling took to the streets of Belfast, signed a petition or engaged their politicians to stop thousands of taxis being allowed into bus lanes. The issue disappeared, but this wasn’t a victory – simply a delay. Decisions in the next few weeks will determine the future of sustainable transport in Northern Ireland.
Department of the Environment (DOE) Minister Mark H Durkan has now announced a timetable to implement Taxi Reform, with single-tier licensing expected to become operational in January 2015. But what does that mean?
Currently around 7% of the Northern Ireland taxi fleet are permitted by the Department for Regional Development (DRD) to use bus lanes. The rule of thumb is black hackney cabs and large wheelchair accessible taxis are allowed in bus lanes, but in reality “permitted taxis” are determined by the colour of the licence plate:
These licence distinctions will disappear in January 2015 (with some potentially crucial categorisation remaining) with all taxis able to ply for hire in the street. DOE’s single-tier licensing puts the ball into DRD’s court on bus lane access, with the definition of a “permitted taxi” in bus lane regulations no longer a simple matter.
Between DOE (road safety portfolio) and DRD (Cycling Revolution™ portfolio) there now exists a tiny window of opportunity to properly understand the negative impacts of taxis in bus lanes and set a clear priority for sustainable travel in Northern Ireland.
Over the next 2 weeks I’ll examine a series of issues around taxis in bus lanes – from cycling safety and why people plan to give up cycling as a result, what the experience has been in Dublin, why taxi firms grossly overplay the importance of bus lane access (and underplay their own impact), to why bus lanes are not true #space4cycling but an essential stepping stone, and why this decision is completely at odds with DRD’s strategic vision for cycling. Finally I’ll make the case for a solution which has the broadest backing among interested groups, not least the consultants DRD paid to assess the performance of bus lanes..
Perspective
4,000+ taxis in bus lanes
Wall of steel
Rapid transit?
Next.. | Reform and revolution
The way forward
Keep the conversation together on social media by using everyone’s favourite taxis in bus lanes hashtag..
#McCauslanes
Background
Taxis in bus lanes drew me unwittingly into cycle campaigning 2 years ago, dismayed that DRD’s consultation had gone virtually unnoticed in Northern Ireland..
Taxis in bus lanes a backward step for cycling (Sep 2012)
And it’s worth reading that original consultation for the stunningly inept policy process, flying in the face of public opposition, evidence of harm and outside expert recommendations..
NI Greenways responds to Taxis in bus lanes consultation (Sep 2012)
My own response is interesting in hindsight – high-quality #space4cycling alternatives didn’t make the cut. I (rightly) suspected they would be laughed out of the room – ironically, DRD’s awakening to cycling since 2012 has now made this viable, albeit in the medium term..
DRD determined to halt Belfast cycling progress? (Feb 2013)
The post that kicked off the fightback, as people in Belfast started to organise and made February 2013 a pivotal month..
All taxis in bus lanes – why I am opposed (NI Roads, Feb 2013)
The NI Roads blog looked at DRD’s consultation and penned a violent evisceration more in keeping with an episode of Game of Thrones. This was released on the same day as the late Tom McClelland was leading a street protest..
https://twitter.com/Skelchie/status/304587096302170112
- Taxis in bus lanes will make streets more risky for cyclists, claim pedalling protesters
- Belfast cyclists protest against plans to open up bus lanes to all forms of taxi and minicab
- Cyclists against taxi use of bus lanes
- Taxis in Belfast bus lanes will endanger cyclists, say campaigners
My last written contribution was in defence of the perception of safety, clearly ignored in so much decision-making at DRD but fundamental to understanding why keeping bicycles and taxis apart is so important..
What value in the perception of cycling safety? (Mar 2013)
Along with the gathering momentum of politicians realising how important the issue was, a petition was organised and handed in to Transport Minister Danny Kennedy..
DRD: Stop a plan to allow all taxis to use bus lanes
Before DOE’s taxi reform plans were shelved in the summer of 2013, the story turned into a mini scandal. An exposé in the Belfast Telegraph and arguments at the Northern Ireland Assembly left one crucial issue unresolved – but that’s a tale (with a resolution) for the forthcoming 4,000+ taxis in bus lanes article.. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/BelfastBikefast/posts/136881676480886