No plans to ban bikes from Mountain Road, insists Isle of Man government – after petition urging authorities to stop cyclists using “perilous route” attracts whopping 339 signatures

The Isle of Man’s Department for Infrastructure has insisted that it has “no plans” to prohibit cycling on the island’s Mountain Road – despite a recent petition calling for cyclists to be banned from the “perilous” route attracting over 300 signatures. Yes, that many.

The petition, titled ‘Ban cyclists from the Mountain Road in Isle of Man’ and launched by resident Lee Smith on change.org two weeks ago, concerns the A18 Snaefell Mountain Road, a fast-moving 13-mile-long A-road connecting Ramsey and Douglas and featuring a derestricted speed limit.

The road is also part of the famous Isle of Man TT and ascends steadily to an elevation of 400 metres above sea level, characterised by its sweeping bends and often changeable weather.

Cyclists are currently not allowed to use the route during the early summer TT season or during the Manx Grand Prix in August and September, periods when other vehicles using the road are also limited in that they are only permitted to travel in the direction of the course.

According to Smith’s petition, cyclists should be banned from the road at all times, because they cause a “backlog of traffic” while also “increasing the risk of collisions”, arguing that people on bikes cause the “risk factors to multiply”, and that they should instead be forced to use alternative routes “without interfering with primary traffic”.

The petition failed to grain much traction with the Isle of Man’s residents, however, attracting just 25 signatures during its first two weeks – until, that is, 3 FM, the island’s self-proclaimed “feel-good radio station”, shared the campaign online on Tuesday morning, causing the number of supporters to jump to 339 at the time of writing.

Nevertheless, those 339 signatures – bizarrely – currently don’t seem to be enough to spur the Isle of Man’s government into action, with the Department for Infrastructure admitting today that it is yet to receive the petition.

“We have no plans to restrict cyclists from any roads in the island, except during the TT period,” a spokesperson for the department said.

“If and when a petition is received, it will be considered by the Department in the normal way.”

> Isle of Man’s “feel-good radio station” shares bizarre petition demanding cyclists are banned from Mountain Road because “they cause a backlog of traffic” and “increase risk of collisions”

If the petition is ever considered by the government, it will be forced to consider – as Smith argues – whether a ban on cyclists would, in fact, “protect lives and ensure smooth traffic flow on this crucial stretch of roadway”.

“Cycling on the Mountain Road in the Isle of Man is very dangerous,” the petition states. “Having lived in Douglas for years travelling between Douglas and Ramsey, I’ve witnessed the issues first-hand.

“This road, known for its scenic but winding path, is a hotbed for accidents due to its high-speeds and rapidly changing weather conditions that impair visibility. When cyclists use this road, the risk factors multiply, leading to serious safety concerns for both the cyclists and motorists alike.

“Most users of the Mountain Road are drivers who already have to navigate the frequent bends and unpredictable conditions. The addition of cyclists not only causes a backlog of traffic but also increases the risk of road traffic collisions. With poor visibility, drivers are often unable to see cyclists in time, leading to near misses and, unfortunately, some tragic outcomes.

“Data suggests that roads like the Mountain Road, characterised by limited sightlines and heavy vehicular use, are ill-suited for cycling. A study by the Transportation Research Board found that roads with speed limits over 50mph (the Mountain Road allows unlimited speeds) are not ideal for cyclists, citing increased collision risks due to speed discrepancies between vehicles and bikes.

“The scenic allure of the Mountain Road to cyclists is undeniable, yet the reality is that safety must take precedence over aesthetic enjoyment. Alternative routes exist that cater to cycling enthusiasts via the coast road, offering both safety and scenery without interfering with primary traffic.

“By signing this petition, you are advocating for a safer Mountian Road [sic] for everyone. Encourage the local authorities to enforce a ban on cyclists using this perilous route to protect lives and ensure smooth traffic flow on this crucial stretch of roadway.”

> Cyclist stopped by police three times and “told to put bike in van” after a “load of complaints” from motorists on foggy climb

While Smith’s petition is yet to attract much interest from the public, despite 3 FM’s best efforts, our most-read story of recent times concerns a cyclist who was in fact prevented by police from riding his bike on the Mountain Road.

Back in 2023, Yorkshire cyclist Chris Glencorse was visiting the Isle of Man on a three-day cycling trip when he was stopped by officers who were dispatched to check on his welfare while climbing the A18, after several drivers reported that they had nearly struck the cyclist due to the apparent poor visibility and adverse conditions on the road.

The cyclist, who was riding in foggy conditions, says he was stopped by police three times and ordered to “put my bike in the van as it was too dangerous”, following the complaints from motorists on the climb.

“Unbelievably the Isle of Man Police thought it was appropriate to stop me three times while cycling over the mountain, the last time to tell me to put the bike in the van because of complaints by car drivers. That’s not how the Highway Code works. I didn’t get in the van,” Glencorse told road.cc.

A spokesperson for the Isle of Man Constabulary also told us at the time that the officers simply “offered to transport the cyclist and his bicycle to Douglas to ensure he arrived safely” and that the incident was a “timely reminder to all motorists that cyclists frequently use the A18 Mountain Road” and to “ensure that you drive/cycle to the conditions and arrive at your destination safely”.