New 'Think Bike' signs on Portbury Hundred

NEW warning signs have been put up on a busy route out of Portishead following the death of a much loved biker.

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."