MOTORCYCLISTS must wait a little longer to find out if they will be given the freedom of Huddersfield's bus lanes.
A trial begins next month giving taxis access to the bus lanes along Wakefield Road.
Yesterday, Kirklees councillors debated whether the measure should be extended to motorbikes and scooters.
The Motorcycle Action Group has been lobbying for riders to use bus lanes around the country since the early 1990s.
Cities currently carrying out pilot projects to look at the impact of the move include London, Hull, Reading, Birmingham and Swindon.
Bus companies, the police, West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and pressure groups have been asked for their opinions by Kirklees Council's Overview and Scrutiny Panel for Transportation.
Councillors decided to wait until results of the many pilot studies had been published before making a definite decision.
That will probably be some time in the middle of next year.
Supporters of powered two-wheelers in bus lanes say motorcyclists would no longer have to weave in and out of traffic.
Additionally, they argue motorbike riders would be more visible if separated from the main body of traffic and that the scheme would also encourage more motorbike use. This would cut emissions and congestion.
But opponents say it encourages speeding and is less safe for car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
They fear the move could actually lead to increased emissions from today's powerful superbikes and that bus schedules would be disrupted.
Clr Donald Firth commented: "If you are having bus lanes for buses then as far as I'm concerned they should be for buses."
He said the system seemed fine as it stood.
"More often than not if you are in slow-moving traffic going up to a road junction the motorcyclist will wend his way through quite safely."
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