To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it plans to prevent riders of motorcycles with an engine capacity of over 50cc from using th…

Vehicles permitted to utilise the Forth Road Bridge once the Queensferry Crossing opens were considered during the passage of the Forth Crossing Bill and is set out in the Policy Memorandum.
The Queensferry Crossing and existing Forth Road Bridge will be maintained and operated as part of a managed crossing strategy to ensure the existing Forth Road Bridge infrastructure is retained and continues to provide public benefit.
As the Queensferry Crossing is to be a motorway, the policy for the Forth Road Bridge set out in the Policy Memorandum, in particular paragraph 26, supporting the Forth Crossing Bill was that it would become a dedicated public transport corridor for buses and taxis, together with pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles less than 50cc, that class of motorcycle not being permitted on motorways. Other motorcycles are permitted on motorways. In setting the policy, it was considered that to make particular exception for other motorcycles and vehicles displaying a learner driver plate would open the Forth Road Bridge to wider use, not in keeping with its proposed designation as a public transport corridor. No objections to the Forth crossing Bill were received in relation to the proposed policy regarding motorcycles and the Forth Crossing Bill was passed in full view of the policy set out in the Policy Memorandum.