Beware of Service Trucks on Lofty Downtrack

Hi All,

I dont know how common this is as i dont usually ride up lofty on the bike track (usually ride Greenhill road as i find it safer) but yesterday there was a service vehicle blocking the track near the road crossing of ?Mt Osmond Rd. (about 100m up towards the Kennels)

As i negotiated my way aorund it on the dirt shoulder, someone descending had to jump on their brakes in a hurry to avoid rear ending it.  Surely it would be nore sensible for these Service Vehicles who were "checking the safety of the track" to do it on foot or bike to reduce the risk of a cyclist descending into the back of one. I could just imagine descending around a blind corner and straight into the back of a slow moving service vehicle.  I guess this is why i dont ride the lofty track and stick to the road....

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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on February 2, 2012 at 16:20

So the work man can carry all his gear in a wheel barrow an risk being hit by high speed cyclists?

if people want the track matained you have to have matinace people.

some sort of waring sign in the down track would seem reasonable.

but really if you can't stop are you going too fast what if a cyclist has a puncture should other cyclists mow him down because he stopped?

Permalink Reply by Harry Smyth on February 2, 2012 at 16:56

Don: I dont control the speed of other cyclists, sorry.

When i get a puncture I normally pull to the side of the track & fix it on the side of the road... maybe u should do the same? Doing it on the road or track would be dangerous.

I agree a warning sign would be VERY appropriate for safety.... regardless of how or when the track should be checked or fixed, a safer process needs to be implemented. Probably why i dont use it too much.

Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on February 2, 2012 at 17:06

I would agree that you cant control other people.

however it is a public path and not a race track and it is inevitable that you may need to eventually slow down or stop for something unexpected if people drove a car so fast they could not stop for something  some may suggest that it was not safe driving.

So if a cyclist did the same it would not be safe ether.

there was a road safety campaign "its a road not a race track" while it was aimed a drivers perhaps the advise applies to all road users.

Permalink Reply by Harry Smyth on February 2, 2012 at 18:06

ok i think we both share the opinion that some cyclists ride down there too fast, and in a dangerous manner, hence why i tend to stick to greenhill rd in ascending/descending....

The point of this "Beware of Service Trucks on Lofty Downtrack" topic was to:

1) warn other cyclists who may use the track (if this isnt a common thing), and hence take care descending. If such a vehicle was around one of the blind corners then a cyclist wouldnt have to be going rediculously fast for them to be in danger.

2) express my opinion that it is a dangerous practice without appropriate warnings. If the DTEI or whoever it is wishes to undertake inspections without prewarnings, then do it on foot or by bike, not with a truck that takes up more than the width of the path in some places. It all about being sensible and risk reduction, on both the cyclists, and DTEI's behalf...

Permalink Reply by Darren on February 3, 2012 at 8:10

You could call DTEI... seems like good advice to me

Permalink Reply by Martin Turner on February 3, 2012 at 13:36

The bike track is no different from a road.....both carry traffic and there is potential for accidents if users are not forewarned of the presence of workers and their equipment on the carriageway. Even the guys who recently upgraded the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty walking track managed to put out warning signs for walkers.

Permalink Reply by Adam Williss on February 3, 2012 at 9:26

I appreciated your post Harry and took extra care last night on the track.  The vehicle wasn't around...and the track seemed pretty clean too...

Cheers

Adam

Permalink Reply by Trent on February 3, 2012 at 10:20

Thanks for the heads up Harry as i am heading to Lofty tomorrow. will certainly keep an eye out and as always remain cautious.

Permalink Reply by Jase "Flatty" C on February 3, 2012 at 12:02

Cheers Harry - Heading up there early tomorrow morning (although I'd be surprised to see a maintenance worker there at the time I'll be riding up). Will keep 'em peeled.

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