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New 'Think Bike' signs on Portbury Hundred
Former policeman, David 'Jock' Loudon, 43, of Portishead, was killed on the Portbury Hundreds on February 9, 2008, after he collided with a car.
Mr Loudon, a biker with more than 20 years riding experience, was travelling towards Bristol along the A369 when a motorist suddenly turned right to do a U turn in the road infront of him.
The father of four, who was driving his Honda Fireblade, collided with the car and was killed instantly.
The driver of the car has since been found guilty of driving with undue care and attention.
Now, nearly two years exactly to the date that Mr Loudon was killed, nine bright yellow 'Think Bike' warning signs have been erected along the busy route.
Mr Loudon's friend, Steve Mears, and fellow biker Philip Rowe started a campaign for the signs in an attempt to improve safety along the A369 - a route used by scores of bikers every day.
Mr Mears, 47, a mortgage broker and a biker of 30 years, said: "We started a campaign for additional safety measures after the death of David.
"We all know that when the traffic backs up on the road that motorists do 'U' turns which not only inconvenience other road users but are dangerous.
"David was an experienced biker and had been riding for many years and his widow, Kath is pleased with the action we've had from North Somerset Council.
"I am delighted to see these signs have gone up and it is even more poignant that they have been put in place just a few days before the second anniversary of his death."
Philip Rowe also from Portishead, got in touch with Mr Mears to campaign for the signs because he rides along the Portbury Hundreds each day.
Mr Rowe, 51, a lecturer, said: "At certain times of the year when the length of the traffic queues back up on the Portbury Hundred, car drivers become impatient and perform a swift 'U' turn without notice on a regular basis.
"I have had many near misses and in one week alone I had three different cars swing out and do 'U' turns infront of me.
"These signs alerting car drivers to the presence of motorcyclists may at least cause them to hesitate prior to performing the dangerous manoeuvre.
"All I need is for car drivers to be aware that a 'U' turn is a potential killer."
A memorial ride out is being held this Sunday, February 9, to mark the second anniversary of Mr Loudon's death.
Bikers should meet at the Argos car park in Portishead at 10am.
North Somerset Council deputy leader and executive member for highways, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, said: "We have used Local Transport Plan funding to pay for these nine signs in five locations on the Portbury Hundred.
"They form part of our new district-policy on temporary advanced motorcycle safety signs.
"We will monitor their effectiveness before rolling them out across the area.
"Too many motorists end up cocooned in their vehicles not as aware of what's going on around them as they should be and I hope these signs will put an end to that situation."
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Comments...
By MajorAl at 14:44 on 22/02/10
OH MY GOD!
Firstly, I totally agree with FourFerrets.
Secondly, 1st Rate, your picture profile says that you are a Driving Instructor!!!!
It sounds like you do not know the rules of the road yourself. Having recently passed my motorbike test I know has stringent the test is. All the emphasis is on personal and other road user safety. Most motorcyclists are acutely aware that travelling over 30mph without the luxury of 4 wheels or crash protection means that you need to take great care.
However, filtering is legal as FourFerrets says and is something you would see an Advanced Motorcyclist or Police Motorcyclist doing.
As a driving instructor to not know the rules of the road and then to make such a negative comment about other road users is very worrying. Bad driving (and riding) is all about attitude and it seems like you have one.
[+] Report abuse
By FourFerrets at 17:48 on 20/02/10
I know it is NOT illegal to U-TURN on the Portbury hundred, But as there is a roundabout at either end of it. It is also a FAST road and the traffic situation can change in a second. So maybe it should be a NO U-TURN ROAD!
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By FourFerrets at 17:45 on 20/02/10
Luckily it is LEGAL to filter on a motorcycle, when safe to do so. A lot of people choose to commute on motorcycles BECAUSE you can by-pass poor people, sat in their cages, with no room to go.
Cheaper to run, less emissions.
People have choice.
You obviously choose to drive a car. Don't be jealous of a bike that passes you.
Not everyone who rides a bike is a nutcase or drives like one.
[+] Report abuse
By 1stRate at 14:37 on 20/02/10
Mototr cyclists should have to wait in the queueing traffic the same as other motorists. U turns and 3 point turns are NOT illegal on the the Portbury Hundreds but adequate observations should be made before doing one
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By portislifer at 16:07 on 19/02/10
I am in support of ANY measure that helps to stop deaths on our roads, for which any is a tragedy, but there should be one for motor cyclist who think there in an INVISIBLE THIRD LANE in the middle, and ride like idiots and speed forcing their way through, (I am a car driver and a Motor bike rider).
It seems that people need to educated and exams to gain a license MUCH harder.
The comment above is a very valid one and the current THINK BIKE ones are to small and on the wrong side, there will be an accident cause by someone trying to read them.
Not sure what the answer is I have lived here for 37 years and been driving along that road for 20 years and seen some really poor driving, those couple of seconds you make up from risking your life by overtaking... What are you going to do with them, or its a life time of hurt you leave behind for your family...
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By portzed at 10:26 on 17/02/10
I saw these signs for the first time the other day, BUT I was looking for them.
Whilst I totally support the need for these warning signs to try to avoid a repeat of the tragedy
that befell Mr Loudon I have some serious doubts about their effectiveness.
My reasoning for this is that if one is travelling to Bristol most of the signs are on the opposite side of the road, of a relatively small size and the message is NOT as clear as other similar signs that I have seen in other parts of the country.
I hope that I am wrong and that these signs do act as an effective deterrent to further accidents.
What do others think?
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By FourFerrets at 12:13 on 06/02/10
Why don't they go one step further and have NO U-TURN signs there as well?
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