Motorcycles and scooters will join cyclists in getting road access to bus lanes in Perth during a 12-month trial to address safety fears and congestion.
WA Transport Minister Dean Nalder said on Wednesday the trial would go ahead next year at the behest of the Motorcycle Riders Association.
It will extend to bus lanes along Beaufort Street, in the inner-north, and South Street, in Perth's southern suburbs.
"Motorcycles will be able to travel in the Beaufort Street bus lanes between Roe Street in Northbridge and Grand Promenade in Inglewood, as well as along South Street between Vahland Avenue and the Kwinana Freeway," Mr Nalder said.
"We are running this trial in response to requests from the motorcycling community.
"The purpose of this trial is to assess any safety implications and whether sharing the lanes has any impact on the on-time running of buses."
Mr Nalder said motorcyclists would be restricted to the same signposted speed limits as buses.
He said Transperth would monitor bus on-time running using GPS data and collate feedback from bus drivers to determine whether the trial would continue on a long-term basis.
In a related development, all bus lanes in Perth would also permanently be opened to taxis.
A review of bus lane signage ahead of the motorbike trial had revealed inconsistencies with taxi access to bus lanes.
"Some lanes had been opened up to taxis but not others," Mr Nalder said.
"So from early next year, all bus lanes, except those that terminate in dedicated bus facilities, will be open to properly licensed taxis."
The changes will take place early next year.
