'SHOCKBOARDS' warning motorcyclists of accident blackspots have been backed by a transport group in a bid to reduce the biker accident toll in South Lakeland.

Each summer large numbers of bikers ride along the scenic, country roads in the Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale area.

Many congregate at popular biker meeting spot Devil's Bridge, near Kirkby Lonsdale, and at lay-bys in the area.

But last year a study of the A683 between Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh recorded a high number of motorcycle accidents, particularly during summer Sundays between May and September.

According to a report by Ralph Howard, acting head of community, economy and environment at Cumbria County Council, many of these accidents involved loss of control due to excessive speed or careless driving.

Members of South Lakeland Transport Steering Group endorsed a package of potentially life-saving measures, which would include introducing rumble strips and yellow bar markings at notorious blackspots

But they decided against closing off biker meeting areas.

That proposal, which was suggested as a possible deterrence measure, would have effectively prevented motorcyclists from gathering in lay-bys and other areas around Devil's Bridge.

But it found no favour among the steering group, which considered it to be unfair.

"Nobody wants to stop them from congregating, it is their pleasure.

They are no problem when they are stationary," said Alan Day, of Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale Neighbourhood Forum.

Maria Appleton, of South Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and Trade, warned of tarring all motorcyclists with the same brush, adding that any future education programme should also target the motorists who drove in a manner which puts motorcyclists in danger.

Kevin Lancaster, of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said he backed the introduction of rumble strips "as soon as possible" but said an awareness programme alone was unlikely to have much effect.

"Just as a number of smokers are aware that it is bad for them, I suspect that a lot of motorcyclists are aware that they might get killed doing 100 miles an hour up Garsdale but it does not stop them.

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