An important message to motorists to think about cyclists and motorcyclists when travelling on the Island’s roads is being reinforced, thanks to the installation of new ‘Think Bike’ signs. A total of 10 signs have been erected on key routes in the Newport, Cowes and East Cowes areas thanks to the advocacy group CycleWight. It was around 2 years ago that CycleWight’s Peter Dyer first saw similar signs in Portsmouth and the New Forest, prompting an idea to explore the options for erecting safety signs here on the Island. In recent years there have been a number of serious and fatal collisions involving bicycles and motorcycles, prompting an extra need for an awareness campaign. Working with the Isle of Wight Council’s roads safety officer, Lewis Campbell, CycleWight was able to develop the initiative and gain sponsorship from cross-Solent ferry operator, Red Funnel. After receiving approval from both the Department for Transport and the local authority, the first signs were erected near the GKN roundabout in East Cowes back in May last year. Now, thanks to the continued support of Red Funnel, slightly larger signs have been put in place on the approaches to Whippingham Roundabout, as well as at the cycle crossing on Fairlee Road and on approaches to Somerton Roundabout in Cowes. There is strong support for the rollout of further signs to other areas on the Island, with CycleWight now seeking further sponsorship from local businesses.
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Perhaps explain to them where the cycle path is along Racecourse and Fairlee
This is the best comment on here! Cyclists are a real pain!! Think they own the roads! Tax payers money goes on making and repairing cycle paths and half of them don’t use them!!
Island drivers would be better off with “Think Car” signs given how many collisions occur.
Totally agree with awareness signage , but please educate both motor cyclist and pedal cyclist .Pedal cyclist to not Ryde 2 or 3 abreast on roads and to use cycle tracks or get fined as would a car driver be if he or she was driving on a cycle track.Secondly educate motor cyclist not to weave in and out of small gaps left between cars and slow down ,along with not overtaking in congested traffic so close to the side of cars/ lorry’s both on the near side and offside it all works both ways to ensure safety
You are spot on, who can respect the Lycra clad brigade
who cycle around the island holding each others hands stopping
paying motorists to pass by.
Also who can respect all the cyclists who have cycle lanes along
Fairlee Road and do not use them.
Same with the Jordan waste of money new cycle lane in Ryde
no one uses.
Cyclists think Car
„Cyclist think Car”
Ah, yes – because Island Echo articles show how car drivers on IOW are excellent 😉
Every group has their black sheep.
This wild tribalism is just sad coming from adults.
The only reason signage is that way is because 2000kg*50mph versus 15kg*20mph means that:
Cars have 333x more damage force than bikes.
You drive a vehicle 333x more dangerous? == you take more responsibility.
Look, watch how a voice of reason speaking the truth gets voted down! … society is finished!
RIDE not as previously spelt ryde
Yes look once look twice think bike as the come up the inside and the outside weave in and out of traffic and travel on the pavement go through red lights and travel at speed THINK BIKE
Totally agree
I weave in and out, that way I’m not blocking the traffic and cars can pass but… should I not let cars pass?
I’m confused by demands here.
How about one for car drivers to help these lycra clad idiots know that the road is NOT just for them , “Think Car” stop blocking the damn road, weaving in and out and all over the place too. Do cyclists ever get stopped for appearing drunk or drugged up? no. About time cyclists should have to display a reg plate like other road users, motorbikes and cars do, so why not them?
You want me to stop blocking the road without weaving in and out? I thought that’s good and allows cars to pass?
Re reg plate:
1. Because bike weighs about 15kg and travels at average what 15-20mph? That’s very little damage that vehicle can do compared to others. We regulate things which match the threshold of danger to cost. How much more taxes do you want to pay for bureaucracy needed to handle more registrations?
2. Because bikes are healthy for people and you’d only be discouraging people from staying healthy if you make it hard to do. How much more NIC you wish to pay? Netherlands save 3% of GDP (sic!).
Given those 2 points, you may as well demand everyone to have a reg plate pinned to their asses when they walk anywhere.
Yes,lets think about the dopey “roadies” riding three a breast,having a chat,whilst holding up a long line of traffic,when these pilchards pay to be on the road and get insurance,i might think bike,lycra luvvie twats
Everyone pays taxes.
Roads are maintained from a general pot. VED alone would be way too little.
I’ll think bike, when bikers obey speed limits and road rules. 30 doesn’t mean 50,and give way means stop and give way, and the white line in the center of the road doesn’t mean you ride on my bloody side of it, and double white lines mean you don’t cross over them it to over take every thing you see and Ryde Esplanade isn’t there for you to scream along. And I will not swerve out of your way and risk some one else’s life trying to avoid you because you are on MY side of the road, driving like n A/H
And I saw a car parked incorrectly yesterday.
I’ll „think car” when the entire group of drivers upon which I arbitrarily cast a group responsibility will do everything correctly!
Until then double-yellow lines should be everywhere.
I mean, my logic makes as much sense as yours 😉
How about another sign, especially on the pavement, sorry shared path,, along the Fairlee Road that says Think Pedestrians!
And while we are about it, what about a sign that says ‘cyclists,observe the highway code and rules of the road,’
Give way means ….Give Way!
Then there are the cyclists that wear dark clothing and ride their bikes both on lit and unlit roads at night and they don’t have lights on their bikes
Years ago plod would have pulled them over, nowdays
no one gives a Fcuk.
All cyclists should pay to be on the road, they should have
road fund license and Insurance.
They should also be fined for speeding and jumping Red lights.
Perhaps there should be signs for cyclists – Think Cars.
Whenever I see those ‘think bike’ signs it makes me think there should be another line underneath that says
Bikers Think
So when the biker came past my car on his back wheel what was he thinking? Yet I’m supposed to look out for him and his safety?
I was driving down Ryde pier the other day conforming to the 10 mph speed restriction, just be overtaken by a lycra twat who obviously appears to be above the law. Total idiot!
Completely agree. Except speed limits apply motor vehicles, not cyclists. Other than that, I agree.
Where are the signs that say Think Van and Car!
It takes 2 to tango
I just had no idea how much death, destruction and mayhem cyclists are bringing to our Island roads. There isn’t a day goes by when I don’t read a report of a mangled bike in a hedge caused by speeding or an (cough cough) unfortunate medical episode. No wonder the road traffic police are strapped for cash and resources.
Drivers cant see the person riding the motorbike, what chance have they got of seeing a little sign?
Such a lot of bad feeling towards cyclists! I was thinking of coming over to the Isle of Wight for a holiday (cycling included), but I don’t think I will now based on the Isle of Wight anti bicycle brigade.
I guess we know now where the extra funding for the Isle of Wight is going to be spent, on daft campaigns like this.
Part of the problem, I think, is that literally anyone can jump on a bicycle and cycle on the roads, even where vehicles are driving at 60mph (or 70mph on the dual carriageway). No test, no knowledge of the Highway Code required, nothing.
Likewise, a motorcyclist can venture out onto the road by themselves on a small engined bike after a matter of only a few hours CBT training.
Yes, there’s certainly some stupid car drivers, but it’s probably only down to most car driver’s awareness that there’s not more serious injuries to cyclists and motorcyclists on our roads.
Most car drivers are dangerous entitled and think they own the road.They think have a god given right to rush everywhere park anywhere and use mobiles while driving.
The sheer amount of crashes,drug and drink drivers in cars reported on here compared with cyclists and motorcyclists would point to car drivers being the problem.
Just reading this article, essentially about keeping everyone safe, … but, noting the resulting posts, any realistic, factual comments are voted down with a knee jerk reaction, and any ‘Neanderthal’ views are voted up… it’s amusing but also disturbing, time to turn up the Mozart and walk away…
A few Saturdays ago I saw a gang of motorcyclists in sandown. They were not being considerate of others. 2 of them were riding on the wrong side of the road. During the summer the vespa idiots are even worse. Ultimately I resent being told to be considerate of such inconsiderate people.