Bike path along Anzac Hwy and West Tce... why does nobody like to use this?
As a tin-top driver for so long, it frustrated me that in peak hour traffic I would find cyclists on the road on Anzac Hwy and West Tce when there is a perfectly good cycle path through the parklands there that few ppl seem to use.
So yesterday I thought I would try a new route home to see how I went and the path is great! It is clean, there are no bumps along most of it and it is lit at night.
Where is the issue with cyclists using this path. I don't get it.
In my mind, we should be utilising these sorts of paths as often as possible There are 4 main reasons for my opinion on this: First, for our own safety; second, for our own enjoyment and pleasure; third, for the lowering of already high blood pressures of car drivers and; forth, if we don't use what we have, the Governments we elect will not see it as a good use of public money to put more of these paths in place.
I may be a Noob to cycling, but I have thought long and hard about this ever since that path went in. If I am not wrong, it was part of a Bicentenial Project in 1988. (please correct me if I am wrong on how long this path has been in place).
I really am wanting to dig to the bottom of this so please respond candidly. I promise not to berate you for your reasons for not using the path. :-D
So yesterday I thought I would try a new route home to see how I went and the path is great! It is clean, there are no bumps along most of it and it is lit at night.
Where is the issue with cyclists using this path. I don't get it.
In my mind, we should be utilising these sorts of paths as often as possible There are 4 main reasons for my opinion on this: First, for our own safety; second, for our own enjoyment and pleasure; third, for the lowering of already high blood pressures of car drivers and; forth, if we don't use what we have, the Governments we elect will not see it as a good use of public money to put more of these paths in place.
I may be a Noob to cycling, but I have thought long and hard about this ever since that path went in. If I am not wrong, it was part of a Bicentenial Project in 1988. (please correct me if I am wrong on how long this path has been in place).
I really am wanting to dig to the bottom of this so please respond candidly. I promise not to berate you for your reasons for not using the path. :-D
Tags: adelaide, cycle, government, parklands, paths, ways
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Allan (RAVAGE) on -
I agree, What also gives me the gripes, is that when bicycle riders ride on the outside of bike lanes, when the have a good metre to ride in...
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Permalink Reply by Wombat on -
This I can understand at times Allan. There are some areas I have ridden in where there are potholes galore or scourifying from where bitumen has been resurfaced (they must have run out of bitumen in the bike lane down Anzac Hwy at Keswick and forgotten to go back. There have been deep grooves in this tar top for many years since the last "upgrades" to the driving surface.
Also, what gives with bike lanes only being in "peak times"? I rode down Winston Ave at Clovelly Park on Saturday arvo and there were cars parked in the bike lane... right at the time of day when the cyclist needs extra visibility, not more hazards. I think we should band together for permanent bike lanes and permanent clearway rules in some areas, if not all.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on -
Did you know that if you report dangerous hazards to the appropriate authority they are obliged to at inspect it and if they concur with your view they must fix it. Make sure you point out that the hazard is potentially life threatening. In general arterial roads are the responsibility of Transport SA and other roads belong to the local council. You should be able to report Transport SA issues on line and probably can with some councils. Make sure you give a street address for where the hazard is located.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on
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If you really want to campaign why not join BISA. Their membership is cheap and includes The bi monthly magazine Australian Cyclist and their local newsletter. They meet once a month and campaign vigourously for cycling facilities. Jeremy the president and Sam the VP are both, fanatical cycling activists and active members of this group and would love some support and perhaps some assistance with their campaigns. So instead of talking about creating a band why not join the existing Orchestra.
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Permalink Reply by Colin Sparrow on -
There is rarely a consistent metre width of bike lane. drains, pot holes and detritus means it is difficult to have confidence in the lane. Now I would be amongst the first to say cyclists should minimise opportunities to annoy other road users, however we also wish to make progress.
I also wonder whether `cycle' paths (often dual use in reality) are under utilised as it is challenging to maintain a 30km/h progress as the left/right convention is often ignored by other cyclists and of course one has to be careful of pedestrians. Roads offer challenges of course but at least the conventions are clear and, for the most part, followed.
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Permalink Reply by Carla Scragg on -
I've had mixed experiences on this particular path. I'm not a fan of all the stopping and starting for give ways and intersections firstly. If travelling away from the city, you also have to contend with vehicles turning left and the fact that you're on your bicycle, on a pedestrian crossing.
I've encountered more than usual numbers of vague pedestrians which have made me near soil myself :) (this isn't really that significant though)
Last time I used the path, there was a massive massive hole being dug by council workers, who hadn't signed off the area appropriately. I avoided it after that.
Right now, it's not really convenient for me to use and doesn't take me anywhere. I work in Hindmarsh, and am avoiding that all stretch of Port Road for the crazy roadworks. I'd rather go detour towards the city then back out than face that stretch of road (the conditions change so frequently, I've got NFI what lanes are open, what constitutes "leftmost" etc)
Having said all this, I do use the path to get into the city. I don't think the lanes on Anzac Highway are of particularly great quality, and it's a relief to get on some smooth road after all that jaw rattling.
So I didn't really answer your questions, but hopefully I gave a bit of different perspective! :)
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Permalink Reply by Ben Teoh on -
haha, yeah the parklands are scary at night... I've heard too many stories.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on
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I can't recall the year that the dual use path from Glenelg to Mile End opened but at the time I was an active member of BISA and I recall that some members were very critical because of several intersections where cyclists had to give way to motorists and the general feeling that it was OK for leisure cyclists but not as fast for commuters and/or "serious cyclists" in comparison to the more direct Anzac Highway. As a leisure cyclist I find it preferable to Anzac Highway even if I am in a hurry.
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Permalink Reply by Wombat on
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I had a serendipitous moment this week while riding along this particular path out of town, watching a guy riding the other way, but on the road. Here was my thought...
We are all out there to ride. Whether that be for fitness, because we lost our license, because we want to save the environment, to fit in, to connect or maybe 1000 other reasons... but we are all out there together just doing our thing. I may not want to ride your style of bike and you probably don't want my $20 garage sale special, but we are all cyclists.
So... should it really matter to me if you want to use the bike path or not?
Just thinking...
Wombat.
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Permalink Reply by Richard Gawel on -
Maybe I was just a bit vague, but when I started to ride again after 20yrs out of the saddle I didn't even notice that the west terrace path was even there.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Jenkins on -
That's because you don't ever ride anywhere near West Terrace. You vague twit'n blogger!
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