The Isle of Wight Council has been accused of failing to support cycling infrastructure following a recent collision between a car and cyclist at Smallbrook roundabout in Ryde.
The incident on 9th August, as reported by Island Echo, has reignited concerns first raised by campaign group CycleWight in a letter to the Council more than 3 years ago. A cyclist was so badly injured they had to be airlifted to Southampton by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
In June 2022, CycleWight described the modified roundabout as ‘verging on shameful’, highlighting the lack of safe provision for cyclists – despite the junction forming part of the popular Round the Island cycle route.
CycleWight noted:
“The recently modified roundabout at Smallbrook has zero provision for cyclists… This is part of the very successful Round the Island Cycle Route. These are all major disappointments by a local authority missing opportunities to implement Government recommendations.”
The group cited the Government’s GearChange strategy and LTN 1/20 design manual, which recommends that scheme designers travel routes by bike to better understand safety risks and rider experience.
CycleWight continued:
“Those who design schemes should travel through the area on a cycle to understand how it feels… The most effective way to gain this understanding is to get out and cycle the route.”
The cycling pressure group claims that since the publication of these national guidelines, neither the Council nor Island Roads has made meaningful progress—even on low-cost improvements such as barrier removal, smoother paths or clearer signage.
They say that unless action is taken soon, the Council’s stated ambitions for Active Travel will continue to ring hollow for the Island’s cycling and walking communities.
What shocks myself is that the island encourages
cycling yet there are hardly any cycle lanes for cyclists
to use, so why encourage cyclists to come to the island.
Time for the leaders of IW Council to take a trip
to Holland and see what needs doing to make cycling
safe on the island.
Even when cycle lanes are available, cyclists don’t use them. See the Newport-Cowes route during peak times. Cyclists will use the road, holding up traffic and being a general nuisance rather than using the dedicated cycle path, which would make their journey safer and more efficient. Baffling really.
I wonder why that is, Brian? If we start from the assumption that most cyclists are not mentally deficient in some important way, could it be there is something wrong with the cycle path?
Never swept, they are often littered with gravel and other road debris, making them puncture traps waiting to happen. They often have drains and other road furniture to catch bike wheels. If there’s a large puddle on a road I can almost guarantee it’s on the cycle path. And many of them require cyclists to ‘Give Way” to private driveways and side roads, which completely negates the purpose of them. Might I suggest you try a few cycling trips around the place and get a feel for the many problems cyclists face.
I travel via the Cowes-Newport cycle track 3 times a week on my bike. It’s perfectly safe and maintained.
That is very true.
Any cyclist not using a cycle lane if there is a cycle lane
available where they are cycling should be fined heavily and have their bicycle crushed.
It’s a ridiculously roundabout for any vehicle completely offset and worse than the original one
I think when it was constructed, the numpties
who carried out the works were p*ssed.
The old one was much better.
The old ferries were much better and the
old floating bridge was much better.
In over 50 years I have not seen anything improve
on the island.
The local authority has shown significant commitment to promoting cycling on the Island. However, cycling is only one form of transport. Pedestrians, motorists and public transport users also have to be considered so a balance is required. Provisions also cost money – money which does not come from cyclists. But individuals also have a responsibility to accommodate other road and pavement users. Sadly, cyclists do not always accommodate others but rather look after themselves. Cyclists often use cycleways or the road or the pavement depending on which is most convenient to them and without a lot of regard for others. So before any group starts insisting on their “rights” being upheld, everyone needs to bear in mind that with rights always go responsibilities.
“responsibilities”? The over 60 lycra clad wiggins wannabes think the roads, cycle paths, pavements and even bridleways all belong to them.
They are inconsiderate selfish B’stards who need to
grow up and respect pedestrians and motorists.
I had no idea that cyclists don’t pay any tax. I assume the same logic should apply to pedestrians, perhaps they need a registration and insurance and taxation protocol in the same way that cyclists are always being told that they need?
“Provisions also cost money – money which does not come from cyclists.” Just wondering where the money comes from?
Oh come on Marcus, not that old chestnut again.
Roads, including cycle paths, are paid for out of general taxation. Your Vehicle Excise Duty (note: it’s not car tax) is spent by the treasury on the multitude of things a modern society requires. It is not ring-fenced for roads or even transport generally.
And in any case, the vast majority of commuting cyclists are also car owners. But as a kindness to you they have left their car at home to make more room on the road.
Of course some cyclists behave badly. Every group of people exhibits a wide range of behaviours. Do car drivers always act in a kindly manner? Most certainly they do not and unfortunately the result of their shortcomings is often lethal. More than 1,700 people are killed every year in this country by drivers whereas cyclists cause perhaps one or two deaths on average. Get a bike, you know you want to.
I am fed up seeing cyclists cycling side by side
holding each others hands, also cyclists cycling
towards oncoming traffic, eg along Sandown Esplanade
THE ESPLANADE IS 1 WAY, THE NUMPTIES SHOULD CYCLE
ALONG THE HIGH STREET THEN CYCLE DOWN THE SEAFRONT
NO ONE POLICES NUMPTY CYCLISTS
Time for “ALL” cyclists to pay to be on roads and
pay insurance.
The money generated will help pay towards cycle lanes
being installed.
Last week for the first time in ages I actually saw a
cyclist stop at traffic lights.
I have since been to Specsavers to check I wasn’t
seeing things.
Lol
I don’t think the roundabout is fit for purpose. It’s so confusing for all drivers. Someone needs to rethink it.
95% of them totally ignore the Highway Code. I always thought you were supposed to stop on a red traffic light? The ones I have watched go through regardless.
What about cyclists
Lol
From what I see on a daily basis majority of motorists
don’t stop at red lights.
The island could create jobs, employ some more
civil enforcement officers to sit near traffic lights and
catch the offenders.
Spend a little while sitting by coppins bridge and count the cars that accelerate to get through the red lights so that they can deplete the remaining oil reserves in the world as they head towards the “motorway”.