CYCLEWight

CycleWight was formed to campaign for better cycle provision on the Island. We work with any organisation or individual that wishes to work towards that goal. The group also participates in ways to encourage more people of all ages to learn of the joys and benefits of cycling.

LSTF News [amended]

Great news. The work on upgrading the bridle path around Quarr has been announced. The path is to close for approx 6 weeks, date still to be confirmed. This is part of the work funded by the LSTF. The allocation of the money is now more visible in all kinds of ways. The most obvious is the Wroxall to Shanklin route being upgraded. Work has also begun on improving the path from Quay Lane to the bridle path that leads to St Helens.
The Bicycle Island grants should have been submitted by now. The decision on which bids have been sucessful will be anounced in the near future. Let us hope that there have been some exciting ideas proposed.

GPSport
GP Sport – bring people to the Island on cycling holidays, we organise and manage Island based sporting events, and we take clients from the Island to the rest of the UK and into Europe on organised cycling adventures.....more

Junior Cycle Club [amended]

It is hoped to relaunch the very successful Junior Cycling club. Some details have been confirmed. There are to be six sessions on Saturday mornings. Each session will be 10-12.30. These timings will be reviewed after two sessions. They are to be at three different venues around the Island:Ryde Newport Sandown. At present they will be aimed at 10+. The Road Safety Team is to provide some bikes so as to allow as many young people to attend. The session will be will be a mixture of road training and fun/sport activities. Please let people know. Can you volunteer to help? This will not be a long term commitment but just for a couple of weeks to get it going. You do not have to have any particular skill - just a willingness to be there. If so please contact the organisers through alec.broome@iow.gov.uk.

Bicycle Island

"Visit Isle of Wight's" new campaign  "Bicycle Island" has been launched.(See one of the new logos here) The  initative is developing the economic reasons for attracting tourists who cycle. The central thrust of the campaign is to get people to stay. Materials and adverts will concentrate on this, showing the many things you can do while cycling here. New maps will be launched as well as new themes for rides. There are many routes published already but more is to be made of them. There are to be way marked 'off road routes'. Another strand of the campaign will be the slogan,"Drive less, see more"

The Cycle Festival - 13th-28th Sept
The Festival is to be retained for the time being though the funding support has been reduced. CycleWight is looking for funding for the launch event. For the last couple of years St James' Square has been closed to traffic and a variety of entertainment has been provided. If you know of anyone or  an organisation which may be interested in supporting all or part of this, please do get in contact. The total cost would be approximately £1,500. As many mums say, "If you don't ask you don't get." If you are willing to offer to lead a ride would you contact,MariLouise.White@IOW.gov.uk. The Cycle Cinema has already been booked. There will be an event before the film to attract familiesl. Please put the date in your diary, 13th September. Any suggestions for films can be sent to Mari Louise or CW. More information HERE

Make Cycling Safer

CycleWight has been contacted by a variety of concerned people about their safety on the roads. CycleWight are in discussion with various bodies on how this can be improved. Several people have written to the council as the Highway Authority. Please make sure you include your own Councillor in your letter/email. They are supposed to representing your views and concerns. The more people on the Council that know of your worries the more likely something is to happen. There is very little money for cycle infrastructure after the LSTF monies end.  One way forward is to use paint as means of slowing traffic or providing a cycle facility eg joint use path, permissive cycle route (on the road).  Do you have some suggestions? Some of the advanced stop lines at traffic lights are suffering from wear and tear. Where are they?  Are there any place where you think they could be added? Please do contact us to compile a list. There is some information about vehicles overtaking cyclists from the Highway Code for your information. It is on the drop down menu, "Campaigns"

CYCLEWight Facebook and Twitter
CYCLEWight has now both a Facebook and Twitter presence. Please join us online to keep up with the latest information

JOIN CYCLEWight

We need YOUR support to help us continue promoting cycling and campaigning for better conditions for cyclists on the Isle of Wight!

       
                   
        
Things YOU can do
              

• Support Our Campaigns
  

   We campaign on local cycling issues and
    schemes. Join us, tell your friends
    write to your local MP!
.

• Report Issues Affecting Cyclists
  

   Please take time to report potholes
    any right of way obstructions
    dangerous driving
    or abusive vehicle drivers

Bike Bus

Southern Vectis have converted four of their buses to be ‘bike buses’ so they can carry up to six bikes at a time. The scheme is being done using LSTF funding from the council.
On April 1, one of the buses was at Yaverland to launch the programme. Members of CycleWight were invited to go along and to try out the new facility. Below is the link to the web page. We did post the story on Facebook and Twitter and it got a great response from all over the country. It runs until the end of September on a  route that goes round the Island See here for timetable

Community Partnership.
The West Wight Marketing Group has decided it can no longer operate in its present form. The phoenix has risen from the flames. The West Wight Community Partnership will continue to work for the people of of West Wight by raising monies for groups who are working towards benefiting the community, The Sunday at 3 events will therefore carry on. Please do support these events as they are raising funds for CycleWight. Details can still be found on the original web site which will not be closed down till the end of the year

Island Roads have recently cleared the pavement going up Quarr Hill. This is good news as some people feel safer using the pavement at this point of this very narrow and busy road. They have also started issuing a newsletter highlighting what is happening Island wide. Look on the drop down menu of IW Cycling to view the latest edition.

Cycling Safety

This is always a topic at the forefront of people's minds. CycleWight is considering running a campaign about encouraging cars to overtake with more care. Several ideas have been considered: Car stickers, utilising the back of buses, T shirts with a message on. If you have any ideas or see any particularly good posters please contact us.



Fill That Hole Campaign
All cyclists need to report any defects in road surfaces. The CYCLEWight committee suggest that you use the "Fill that hole" campaign on the CTC website to report dangerous road conditions. The Government have given the CTC £30,000 to develop this app further.

Road Safety - Lorries
CYCLEWight was involved with the launch of a campaign by the Road Haulage Association to hightlight the danger to cyclists posed by large vehicles. This in recent weeks has become even more of a imprtant topic. The following YouTube link is very enlightening. Lorry Blind Spot Demo. If you would like to view what CYCLEWight did, then click here

Road Traffic Police

You can follow the IOW traffic police on Twitter #iowpolroads. They provide a twitter feed that can be very useful and informative.

Wayfarers Randonee
Please remember pre registration is necessary this year. The organising committee is looking for people to help. It is a great event but needs people to give up a little time to make it work. Please contact Andy Newman at lt ANewman850@aol.com

Visitors since 01 Nov 2013

Cowes - Newport track
The signs on the track have been very misleading. Cyclists and pedestrians have different interpretations of what these signs mean. This has led to much unhappiness amongst many users. CYCLEWight has sent a series of alternative signs to the Council, which we feel would be more acceptable to all users.

Bembridge Wheelers

Like cycling or want to take it up again? Then why not join the cycling group which meets each Thursday at 10.30am at Holy Trinity Church, Bembridge for a 10 to 20 mile ride. The group cycle off road when ever possible and there is always a stop for lunch during the ride. This is a very friendly group who always welcome new members.

Ring Margaret on 872953 for more details.

Just4Fun Ride
This group has now been formed for over two years. They meet on the first Sunday of the month at the Griffin Pub, Godshill. They try to be as inclusive as possible by riding at the pace of the slowest rider and always finish with a refreshment stop at a cafe. More details on this website on the calendar.