NEW signs urging people to be vigilant when cycling and walking are to be installed along a popular Renfrewshire route.

Sustrans, which is responsible for the National Cycle Network in the UK, has confirmed the signs will be put in place on the Route 7 cyclepath in the coming weeks.

Councillor Andy Doig, whose ward covers part of the route, said he wrote to the charity’s bosses, calling on them to introduce further safety measures after Lochwinnoch Community Council raised concerns about the behaviour of some cyclists during the lockdown period.

“Recently, Lochwinnoch Community Council contacted me about the risks posed by a minority of cyclists who do not have bells on the cyclepath and who do not let walkers know they are there,” said Councillor Doig.

“Some tend to ride far too fast for the cyclepath and could cause a bad accident. Therefore I have written to Sustrans, calling on them to introduce new ‘Look, Listen and Be Alert’ signs on the network, to encourage all users to treat each other with respect and to make it a safer environment for us all to enjoy.”

The epic 601-mile route from Sunderland to Inverness passes through Renfrewshire, with a section running between Lochwinnoch and Paisley.

Sustrans said the increase in the number of users on the National Cycle Network throughout the Covid-19 lockdown had presented the charity with “numerous challenges,” particularly with regards to social distancing between people doing outdoor exercise.

Bosses have now confirmed signs asking people to be safe, smart and kind when walking, wheeling or cycling have now arrived with them and will be installed right across the network imminently.

A Sustrans spokesman said: “The importance of providing more opportunities to walk, wheel and cycle safely has never been higher, as shown in the recent rise in people choosing to use the National Cycle Network for daily exercise and essential journeys.

“The increase in numbers using the National Cycle Network, many of whom are discovering their local routes for the first time, has also brought with it numerous challenges, especially in relation to social distancing advice.

“This is why we will be installing signage along routes, including Route 7 in the Lochwinnoch area, asking people to be safe, smart and kind when walking, wheeling and cycling.

“The safety and enjoyment of everyone using the National Cycle Network is of paramount importance to us and we will continue to work with councils, landowners and other partners to encourage understanding and responsibility.”

Councillor Doig added he would like to urge cyclists training for competitive events to use the road, rather than the path, to reduce the risk of accidents.

He said: “I have been road cycling since the age of 10 and, while the road environment is much busier than it was in the early 1970s, I have to say to my fellow cyclists the cyclepath is really for leisure and family cycling and not for serious road training for competition events.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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