Motorcyclists are to push to use bus lanes at all times following a meeting with Kirklees Council’s leader.

Huddersfield Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) enjoyed a ‘very positive’ meeting with council leader David Sheard and cabinet member for highways Steve Hall, at the Field Head pub in Quarmby.

MAG discussed the dangers faced by bikers such as overgrown trees encroaching into the road as well as diesel spills and unlit street furniture.

Following the meeting with Clr Sheard – who is also a biker and MAG member – the group agreed to petition Kirklees Council to allow motorcyclists to use bus lanes.

Bikers are permitted to use bus lanes at any time in Sheffield and Durham while Barnsley Council will be launching a trial scheme in April.

The group will also ask the council to increase the number of secure motorcycle storage facilities and include more motorbike-friendly road plans in the Kirklees Local Plan, the new blueprint for development in the borough.

MAG and Kirklees Council agreed to appoint representatives to pass bikers’ issues between both parties.

Huddersfield MAG representative and Yorkshire MAG secretary Linz Food praised both councillors.

Ms Food said: “It was a very positive meeting. It felt like pushing an open door. Clr Sheard is a biker and a MAG member and he understands the issues.

“We’re going to petition for bikes in bus lanes, more secure bike parking and to make sure planning policy has adequate provision for motorcyclists.”

Ms Food added: “Potholes, unmarked street furniture, unlit bollards and unlit sections of road have been the biggest problems but Kirklees have been pretty good for repairing things we’ve pointed out to them.”

Huddersfield MAG meets every Wednesday at the Field Head on Quarmby Road at 8.30pm.

For more information go to www.huddersfield-mag.co.uk .