News & Discussion: Cycling

[Nathan]

Definitely a positive step by the council for making cycling safer and more attractive. Way too many motorists in the CBD seem to think a bike lane = general utility lane.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6130082694

Cycling could get even greener

BIKE lanes in the city may be painted green to remind motorists that cycling has its space on the road.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood will tonight ask the council to consider the idea, which will identify blackspot areas in the CBD.

"It's a really powerful message to send that will designate bike lanes as a preference on the street. We need to be seen sharing the road." he said.

He said the idea came after visiting interstate and overseas cities. where similar initiatives are in place.

He said the plan would cost about $5 million, but hoped to have lanes on major streets painted in the next three to four years at a cost of $1-2 million.

"Cars tend to cut corners and bike lanes... we need to reclaim streets for bikes.''
Mr Yarwood said cycling had its place on the road and painting the lanes would encourage more people to get on their bikes.

He said he also wanted to look at painting bus lanes red - a project he hoped to have completed in 12-18 months with the help of the State Government.

[mshagg]

Last week i noticed they had done this on the southern end of light square, where morphett st crosses waymouth. A fairly obvious place to do it, as 99% of cars encroach upon the bike lane as they navigate these morphett st 'chicanes'. Im not sure if they have done similar on the northern section between currie and hindley, I havent strolled over there as yet.

Rather than the lanes being painted (a bit slippery when wet, i suspect!) it is like artificial bright green gravel that is stuck to the surface of the bike lane.

It's a good approach, rather than threatening enforcement action which only serves to foster resentment against cyclists.

[crawf]

Definitely needs to happen.

[[Shuz]]

Me and my friend have tweeted with Yarwood about this; he is committed to taking action and is very positive that more of these green bike lanes will be rolled out throughout the city. Good on him and the ACC for leading this initiative.

[metro]

just going to put this out there. Painting them green wont do anything

this is the minimum of what should be done:

[mattblack]

That is brilliant. Where is that photo from?

[Nathan]

just going to put this out there. Painting them green wont do anything

this is the minimum of what should be done:

From what I've heard, the ACC wanted to use Riley separators at hazardous locations, but the DTEI vetoed it. So instead, they will be trialing white vibralines to separate the bike lanes from the car lanes (the kind that make a noise if you drive over them).

These are the Riley one's they wanted to use: http://www.tcaaustralia.com.au/riley.html

[RayRichards]

http://weekly-times-messenger.whereiliv ... -rolls-on/

MORE than 15 months after the Holland St Bridge was found to be at risk of collapsing, western councils are in disagreement over whether it should be replaced.

Charles Sturt Council wants to fix the existing bridge at Thebarton, while West Torrens wants to build another one either over the top of it, or next to it.

Charles Sturt chief executive Mark Withers said the council was in favour of repairing the 1909-build bridge.

“The advantage of repairing the bridge is that it will remain as a serviceable reminder of our heritage, rather than a costly relic which will still need significant repairs to preserve it as a monument,” Mr Withers said.

But West Torrens CEO Terry Buss said building a new bridge and preserving the existing crossing would be more cost effective long-term.

As reported by the Weekly Times Messenger, more than 300 people last year signed a petition started by local worker Deborah Ward (pictured), calling for the councils to erect a temporary structure until the bridge was fixed or replaced.

Continued.............

Like the bird says in the article. A damn tram used to run on it, now its even shut for push bikes and pedestrians. A vital missing link between Thebarton and Hindmarsh. Which needs to be reopened.

Cheers.

Ray.

[RayRichards]

The linear bike trail is being upgraded further again from where it currently ends on River Street.


However they have run low on funds so instead of building a mini side bridge sort of thing they want to close of part of the street and make it a bike trail, affecting 20+ busisness's.


Well done.

And as we speak, they are currently finishing off this stretch opposite the corner of Adam/River streets. It will be interesting whether a retaining wall will be put in place and the path will be at a decent bike path width or a quick job of bitumen with hardly any increase width access, similar to a standard footpath.

There are approximately 15 businesses with that precinct. More than what you think there is.

Cheers.

Ray.

[mattblack]

Look out for a public consultation to come out for a proposed upgrade of a Nth/Sth cycling route in the city in the next few days from the ACC. The council seems very keen to implement some major changes on transport within the CBD with a greater focus on cycling, pedestrians and P/T. This is especially relevant considering that we are hosting the Velo Cities conference in early 2014, the worlds biggest cycling related conference. Should come up on the ACC website soon.

[mattblack]

As promised.

http://yoursay.adelaidecitycouncil.com/ ... ycle-route

[Llessur2002]

Worth a read and filling out the survey if you use any part of the Torrens Linear Park (for cycling or otherwise).

http://www.campbelltown.sa.gov.au/LinearPark

The Integrated Strategic Asset Management Plan for the River Torrens Linear Park (the RTLP ISAMP) is a joint project between the 9 metropolitan Councils that adjoin the River Torrens Linear Park. It aims to identify how the infrastructure and facilities along the River Torrens Linear Park can be improved in the future, and how best to manage improvements in an integrated way that relates to the availability of funds.

The project is being managed by the River Torrens Linear Park Coordinating Committee, through its Assets and Infrastructure Working Group. The committee has commissioned Tonkin Consulting in association with Jensen Planning + Design to prepare the Plan.

The Linear Park is one of Adelaide’s most significant recreational parks, and is used for walking, cycling, public events, fitness, play facilities and picnic / BBQ areas, and generally by people enjoying the beautiful natural environment.

Along the length of the Linear Park between the Adelaide Hills and the coast there are pedestrian pathways, shared use (pedestrian / bicycle) paths, boardwalks and bridges, public lighting, playgrounds, picnic and BBQ facilities, public toilets, car parks, signage, drink stations, and a range of seating, tables, shelters and other facilities.

Most of the recreational and transport facilities have been in place for over 30 years, although there have been many areas that have been upgraded or replaced during that period.

An examination of the overall availability of recreational facilities and trails along the length of the River Torrens Linear Park reveals huge variety in terms of:

the type of facilities provided
the condition of the facilities provided.

In order to plan for the future an evaluation is needed of the overall condition of existing infrastructure and other features within the Linear Park, and to assess this against some agreed expectations as to what quality and quantity of facilities should be provided.

The Councils recognise that planning needs to take into account both the current and future community needs of those using the River Torrens Linear Park, including the special needs of the aged and people with disabilities.

The investigations that will be undertaken will be at a broad strategic level, providing overall direction for the 9 Councils responsible for improving the Linear Park over time:

The first step is to gain a better understanding of the overall condition of existing assets and facilities along the River Torrens Linear Park, in order to help prioritise future works and obtain funding over time.

Research into potential development changes along the length of the Linear Park will also be undertaken.

It will then be necessary to determine preferred minimum standards to be provided for future works, primarily to ensure that facilities meet future community expectations, but also to help develop some consistency in the quality of facilities along the length of the Linear Park.

A draft Integrated Strategic Asset Management Plan will be prepared, for release later in 2016.

[Norman]

Linear Park to be widened, upgraded under new first co-ordinated approach to management
Dan Jervis-Bardy, Eastern Courier Messenger, The Advertiser

LINEAR Park may be widened and new playgrounds built on the banks of the River Torrens under the first co-ordinated approach to managing Adelaide’s most popular walking and cycling path.

The nine councils that maintain Linear Park — including Norwood, Payneham & St Peters and Campbelltown — are for the first time working together on a single management plan for the path.

The councils have started an audit of the entire length of the path from Athelstone to West Beach to identify sections in need of repair and areas for future work, including new playgrounds, seating, fitness areas and toilets.

Information on the wider plan — posted to the nine council’s websites last week — noted there was a “huge variety” in the path’s condition between the nine districts, with many sections more than 30 years old.

“In order to plan for the future, an evaluation is needed … and some agreed expectations as to what quality and quantity of facilities should be provided,” it noted.

Adelaide City Council infrastructure associate director Philip Burton, who is on the committee overseeing the plan, said feedback from path users would also help determine what work would be done.

“For example, there may be a need to widen a path in a certain location to better manage volumes of pedestrians and cyclists,” Mr Burton said.

The councils have paid Tonkin Consulting and Jensen Planning + Design $80,000 to prepare a masterplan, which was expected to be released before the end of the year.

Work on the 30km path started in the 1970s and was completed in 1997.

It is used by hundreds of thousands of people each year for walking, cycling and picnics.

The path also runs through Adelaide Hills, Tea Tree Gully, Walkerville, Port Adelaide Enfield, Charles Sturt and West Torrens districts.

Earlier this year, NP&SP voted to allocate its federal road maintenance funding for the next two financial years — about $860,000 — to resurface the path from Battams Rd, Payneham, to Felixstow Reserve.

It is also planning to spend $150,000 on designs for new playgrounds, barbecues, toilets, seating, lighting and open spaces along its section of the River Torrens.

NP&SP Mayor Robert Bria said Linear Park was one of SA’s most prized assets.

“It has been a great attraction for walkers and cyclists for more than three decades and it is a big responsibility to maintain it for us and for future generations,” Mr Bria said.

[Llessur2002]

This looks pretty good. Are there any other publically accessible (with membership) end of trip facilities of this standard in Adelaide or is this a first?



http://www.1kws.com.au/eot

[SRW]

I recall a pop up or trial one in Hindmarsh Square run by BikeSA a few years ago.