A BLUEPRINT has been produced to enhance the Island's Bicycle Island credentials.

CycleWight, the advocacy group for cycling on the Island, spent 12 months finalising its first ever Cycling Strategy for the Island.

Many local authorities have strategies for cycling but until now the Island has had only general policies as part of the Local Transport Plan produced by the IW Council.

CycleWight hope that the strategy will make it easier for it and other groups to attract funding for development of new initiatives to make the Island a place where anyone who wants to is able to cycle.

The strategy includes significant expansion of the dedicated cycling network, maintenance of cycle facilities, cycle safety and promotion of cycling.

Maps highlight potential opportunities to expand the Island’s cycling network, opening up connections between towns and villages.

The strategy sets out the principle of filling in missing links and creating new paths but does not detail precise routes.

The strategy also calls for further work to make Island towns more accessible by cycle for people of all abilities.

CycleWight has started work in this area by looking at the 'cycleability' of every street in the Newport area.

The organisation says research has shown there is significant demand for better cycling facilities, both from those who already cycle and the large numbers of people who would like to be able to cycle but do not feel able to do so because of lack of suitable facilities.

The group's strategy appears at the same time as the government issuing its own plans for cycling and walking.

CycleWight's Tim Thorne said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for there to be a real change on the Island if the council, its various departments and other interested parties will work with us."

The strategy can be downloaded from the group’s website at www.cyclewight.org.uk