MP pushes for national change to blood bikes status

MP Lisa Smart is pushing for the Department of Transport to change the status of blood bikes when operating under emergency conditions at a national level. 

While ambulances, fire and police have certain exemptions, in particular for use of bus lanes, blood bikes – operated by volunteers – do not, even when operating under “blue light” conditions. 

Lisa Smart, the Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove constituency, said: “While the Department of Transport says that this could be resolved by local authorities changing the ‘traffic regulation orders’ which govern bus lanes, this would have to be done on a one-by-one basis, and bikers wouldn’t know whether they were in an area where this had been done or not.

“Each one of those changes would cost money, massively multiplying the cost of this change to the public purse, when one single national change would fix this universally, costing less and giving these amazing volunteers certainty.”

The MP has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, asking for this to be dealt with universally. Estimates from the Council suggest that just in Stockport, the process would cost £30,000, with similar or higher costs expected for every administration in the country.

She added: “It is simply unfair that these bikes are caught up in the legislation and these volunteers are issued fines when out saving lives. Let’s resolve this now, with none of the need for vast expense and a piecemeal approach.”