BIKERS will be able to hit the open road in more bus lanes from next month.

Brighton and Hove City Council has announced two-wheelers will be able to use the Lewes Road bus lane as part of an 18-month trial.

It follows the successful move three years ago to allow motorcycles into the bus lanes in the A23 London Road and the A259 coast road.

Motorbike campaigners, who have been waiting almost 18 months for the right to use the Lewes Road bus lanes, have welcomed the move and called for permission to be extended to more roads in the county.

From Saturday May 6, mopeds, scooters and motorbikes will be allowed in the bus lane between the Vogue Gyratory and Stony Mere Way.

Bus lanes will be marked with signs of a motorcycle and a bus and bikers must stay out of all other city bus lanes.

Junctions have also been given distinctive red markings warning drivers to expect moving traffic in bus lanes.

Three-wheeled vehicles and sidecars are excluded from the trial.

Ann France, Motorcycle Action Group southeast region rep, said: “We are very happy this has been done. As a solution to congestion problems, this makes a lot of sense for motorcyclists.

“Councils all over the country are opening up to this and are either discussing it or have gone ahead and done it.

“It has proved very successful everywhere that it has been done so far. It has been trialled in Brighton and Hove for two years and no adverse problems have occurred.”

Cllr Gill Mitchell, transport lead, said: “We’re trying to see if we can safely improve journey times for motorbikes, scooters and mopeds.

“Allowing motorcycles in bus lanes seems to have worked well elsewhere in the city.

“Riders have appreciated the difference and there appears no serious disruption to bus services.”