The Handle It Or Lose It (HIOLI) campaign has created a facility to enable individuals to report carriageway defects or express concerns over sections of road that are particularly hazardous to motorcyclists.
The ‘Report a Rode’ facility at www.handleitorloseit.com enables a rider to identify a road location using a mapping tool, and then describe why it’s a problem. The message is automatically emailed to the appropriate highway authority.
There’s also a ’Reported & Sorted’ page to show examples where councils, or the Highways Agency, have responded with repairs or improvements.
Neil Ellison, HIOLI spokesperson, said: “Highways authorities don’t necessarily understand the technical needs of motorcyclists – the information base for highway engineers on how a bike and rider interact with the road is still quite small.
“Bikes have specific needs – ones that aren’t shared by most other vehicles. A road defect, alignment, or visibility issue that is manageable and within tolerance for a car may be a real problem for a bike.”
The system has been developed by the Highways Agency, in partnership with local authorities who each provide a dedicated ‘in-box’ to receive emails. 16 local authorities are currently participating.
Stuart Lovatt, from the Highways Agency, is urging other authorities to join. He said: “It’s a great example of joined up and interactive government and should allow us to engineer and maintain our roads as effectively as we can, for the benefit of all.”
For further details contact Neil Ellison or Mark Robinson on 01642 526734, or Stuart Lovatt on 0161 9305836
