CYCLEWight

We have now published our Cycle Permeability Study for Newport. It sets out why there needs to be some re-design of Newport streets to make the town more cycle and walking friendly. This will hopefully encourage far more people to use sustainable travel in and around the town. Suggestions include contra flow cycle lanes in Crocker Street and Trafalgar Road, raised platforms at junctions so as to slow cars, 20mph zones in all residential areas and to create a joint use path alongside Medina Way.

The study has been sent out to a wide range of people and bodies: Newport Town Councillors, County Councillors, Public Health, Bob Seely, the regeneration team and Rights of Way. There has already been positive feedback. We are to make a presentation to Newport Town Council in May. The meeting is very welcome as the Council are very aware that the town needs to be come more attractive to residents and visitors and we see making cycling and walking easier will go towards that aspiration. "It could be seen as a very daunting task", says Martin Gibson, who authored the study, "but many changes are simple and relatively easy to implement."

The report has looked at every road in the town and measured its suitability for cycling. The map below shows the routes at present in Newport that can be deemed as cycle friendly. The issue is to join them up so people can walk and cycle seamlessly across the town.

The committee hope that this has started a precedent.  We have had interest from some other town and parish councils on the Island. If you know of anyone or body that you think would benefit from seeing the report or who you would like someone from the committee to contact them, please let us know.

The Sunday Social

The group is going from strength to strength so we have contacted Gareth and Ian to update us on how they are progressing. It is brilliant to see them engage so many young people and slightly older returning to this form of exercise.

“The Isle of Wight is one of the hidden gems of the mountain biking scene in the UK. The best way to sample what our Island has to offer is to join one of the regular rides organised by the Sunday Social Mountain Biking Club.

The Sunday Social with over 400 registered members,and offers a range of rides for all abilities. This friendly and welcoming club is open to all-comers, the only requirements being that you wear a suitable helmet, have a bike that is in good order and suitable for off-road trails, and trail lights for the evening rides.

The main rides take place at 09:30 every Sunday, meeting at Merstone Old Station. From here there are two group rides, the green grade ride, suitable for beginners and intermediate riders and the blue/red grade ride, aimed at intermediate and above.

There is also a choice of Thursday evening rides leaving from different locations on the Island. The first group ride leaves from Stag Lane (outside of the Vestas Technology Centre on the Cycle path) at 17:00. This is a blue grade ride, approximately 1.5-2 hrs in duration. The second group leaves from Merstone Old Station at 18:30 to undertake a red grade ride, approximately 2 hours in duration. Suitable trail lights are necessary during the winter months.

In addition to the regular rides there are also a number of events, riding and social, that take place throughout the year.”

About the ride grading:

Green - Suitable for beginners and intermediate riders

Riding is mainly on cycle paths and bridleways. There will be some climbs on the route, but nothing too steep or technical. Rides are of a gentle pace.

Blue - Suitable for intermediate riders Basic bike handling skills and reasonable fitness level is required. Riding is mainly on bridleways and single-track trails. Expect some technical riding, difficult obstacles can largely be avoided

Red - suitable for intermediate and advanced riders Basic bike handling skills and a good level of fitness will be required. Riding is mainly on bridleways and single-track trails. Expect some technical riding and a faster pace than the blue rides.

For further information:

Sunday Social Facebook Group

Gareth Shilton - 077333 63035

CycleWight and Visit Isle of Wight met with representatives of Island Roads over various issues of concern. Two of the issues raised were road and path closures and the use of barriers along the paths, which make cycling so difficult.

There was an acknowledgment that signage could be improved, as there are occasions where roads were closed to cars but pedestrians (and cyclists) could access routes. Cyclists would be expected to dismount where the work is taking place, as it is illegal for people to ride on pavements. IR and the Council have to be congratulated on the temporary bridges they have put up in various locations when mending bridges. IR agreed to liaise more with CW and VisitIow on occasions where routes would have an impact on cyclists and walkers.

The barriers proved to be more of an issue. The barriers along the routes are there to slow people down, and to dissuade motorcyclists. This was raised by us as there was a barrier replaced on the Shide Path after it was taken down when the cross Newport route was instigated. The committee feels that there are too many, some of them are badly positioned and it can make it difficult for people with bike trailers, tagalongs mobility scooters, etc. In many cases it is felt a post in the centre of the track is all that is necessary.

We would like to remind people to contact the IR web site to report defects. There is a register and remedial works can take place if there is enough reporting of an issue. The Shalfleet traffic lights are an example.

This has been a busy time for CycleWight. There have been several planning applications on which we have commented: Carisbrooke College, Ryde House, Christ the King College, a housing development at Rookley and the cycling hubs at Cowes and Newport.  The decision on some of these are still pending but it is good to report that our objections to the paltry provision for cycle parking at the new Carisbrooke College was improved. The school's travel plan is to be written now rather than when the new college is opened. Let us hope we just as successful with some of the others.

Latest News - Further to the above we can report sadly the car park for Christ the King College on Vectis Field has been given the go ahead. It is supposed to be temporay. Let us hope so. Sadly the Rookley development has also been give the go ahead without our suggestion that the footpath be developed to join the National Cycle Network which is close by. The development at Scats on Blackwater Road has been declined. One of the reasons in the planners report was the lack of a link to the cycle track directly behind the new development which was pointed out by CycleWight.

Bicycle Island App

Some of you may have heard  but there is now a Bicycle Island app. This is an exciting development which is the first 'smart cycling corridor' in the country. It is based on the Cowes to Newport cycle track. You can sign up by using a smartphone, just look on the app store for Bicycle Island. It has two purposes. Firstly it is meant to encourage people to cycle. It records journeys along the track. The app sets regular distance challenges for the community to aim at. Every user’s journey along the cycle route contributes to the overall target. If the target is reached a local Isle of Wight charity gets a donation. Secondly visitors to the Island can use the app to find out about thiar journey along the track with interesting infomration. This has been launched in the last few weeks.