Motorbikes get to use bus lanes
 

Bikers are allowed to use the majority of London's bus lanes in an 18-month trial.

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Weren't they allowed to do that earlier?

In most bus lanes in Stockholm (and other places in Sweden) there are signs under the bus lane signs, telling that MC and Taxi are allowed in the bus lanes (but Taxis use the bus lanes even when there is no permission)

The rules vary from town to town. Newcastle has 'no car lanes' . . .

Aha, different rules.
In fact, in Stockholm buses are not allowed in the bus lanes, only buses in route traffic (ie with timetable). If there's a sign under telling "Bus, Taxi and MC" then buses are allowed there too.

re restricted lanes
 

Leeds and Bradford have the +2 lanes in operation.