So the Isle of Man government is asking the general public for their opinion on how to make the Manx roads safer. As you can imagine the usual keyboard warriors have come out of the woodwork and posting all kinds of daft ideas. The classic overall speed limit and speed cameras ideas seem to be popular. I'm of the opinion that if there is a speed limit imposed (50 or 60) that it would result in a large drop in visitor numbers for the TT and MGP just when the government wants to grow the events. To this day I don't think they have a clue what the bike fans want. As a Manxman I'm justly proud that we are trusted to use common sense when riding/ driving on unrestricted public roads to control our speed accordingly. Hopefully its just an exercise and common sense will prevail, but I've a horrible feeling that they might do something daft and the island will end up being just another county of England just with a moat round it. Don't worry about this years TT but make sure to enjoy it just in case. link to the consultation below. https://iomgov.dialogue-app.com/the-islands-roads-your-safety-your-ideas P.
That doesn't read good! Me and a few mates go to the TT and I'd say for a couple of us the roads are a good 50% of the reason we go, we don't go mad mad as it's still road with traffic but it's nice early morning to be able to go out have some fun and not have to worry about our speed. What are the roads like out of the TT and other race meets? Do you get many accidents fatalities out there?
There are sadly a couple of fatal accidents during a normal year but considering the number of vehicles on the road I dont think its excessive. However I get the impression that there is a push for zero deaths which is comendable but just about impossible. excessive speed isnt always a factor in the Islands fatal crashes. There was a sad case last year where 4x over 70s in a car were killed when the driver crashed into a bus stop (30 limit). It looks like he got his pedals mixed up, two of his passengers were not wearing seat belts which did'nt help. Accidents like that add to number killed on the roads but have nothing to do with speed.
can you resurface the road coming into ramsey from ginger hall pretty please, the bumpy road plays havoc with my back
haha yeh its not great i agree with you fwiw, i dont think its possible to eradicate *all* the deaths and i think the island as a whole already dose a great job minimising them be interesting to hear what they come up with
Oh wow that looks like heaven, I haven't seen a road like that for years! I had an interesting day on the bike yesterday dodging potholes the size of the grand canyon
I can't recall exactly where it was (sure @PowerRanger will tell us) but it is one of the best roads i've ridden on the island, probably 5+miles of smooth tarmac full of great corners and awesome views! Roll on 2019 when i'm next there with a bike!!
It’s called the round table and runs down the west of the Island from Foxdale to Port St Mary. The story goes that the DOI (gov dept that looks after the roads) had some money it needed to use up before the end of financial year so did a reconstruction of that section. Trouble was that the rest of the roads were in a shocking state and were ignored. Turns out that the head of the DOI is an MHK (local politician) and that road is in his constituency. Coincidence, I think not.
Foxdale, that's the one!! That's where i stayed last year. Interesting story, at least it is a nice riding road!! Have they filmed some topgear stuff up there? Recognised the old mine looking areas up the top there.
There will be a blanket 50mph max. on the Douglas to Ramsey coast road for this years TT fortnight. Maybe the Creg back road as well. I think you can expect a change in road policing style this year's event.
Hmmmm.....I think as long as they're going to allow the general biking public onto what is, to all intent & purpose a racetrack (or at the very least, what the bikers themselves perceive as a racetrack), then there's going to be injuries/fatalities. I don't see a way around that.....especially not with the numbers involved. If they're that serious about having zero fatalities for any extended period, then you either take away the race, or the public, or both. That's the reality of it.
It only gets a bit racey from Ramsey onwards, the rest of its got the general public clogging it up so no worse than a normal road so to speak. Of course we all like a hoon from time to time on normal roads too...
