Bison Hill – new sign

Warning of cyclists

Bison Hill – new sign.  Having spotted this newish sign on Bison Hill I wonder if I have been too harsh on Central Bedfordshire Council in the past.  This new sign has appeared near the start of the climb up Bison Hill, Bedfordshire.  This is one decent hill which attracts good numbers of cyclists and I have tackled this many times myself.  As an aside, I have run up it a few times of late and currently hold the course record on Strava for this; although I doubt if that will remain the same for too long.

Beyond the bend in the photograph, where the road turns to the right into slightly wooded area, the road starts to become steeper, more narrow and has more corners.  All this will add to the slightly hazardous nature of this for cyclists when cars are buzzing up and down.  In fact it is a recipe for disaster with some scenarios in mind – imagine a cyclist struggling up the steepest part, weaving a little from left to right.  A car overtakes without a proper view of the road.  Coming down the hill is another cyclist and doing 30mph who in turn is followed by a car.  There you have four road users together on a narrow, bendy hill and heading in different directions and potential for a nasty accident.

I do believe there has been a fatal accident there in October 2014, although a little further up where the road levels off as I have seen flowers there, as if left there by friends and family of a loved one.

Perhaps this is why the warning sign has appeared, or perhaps people have complained about the potentially dangerous nature of Bison Hill.  I don’t know, I’m speculating.  Nevertheless it is a welcome site seeing the sign there, someone has the best interests of cyclists at heart.  I hope motorists will give consideration to cyclists and also runners who tackle this scenic climb.

Oh I mentioned being harsh on Central Bedfordshire Council.  I still haven’t had a response to my Twitter based compliant about painting over a blocked drain, instead of unblocking it first of all.  Here’s the post: click here