Commute to Work Advice

Hi,

I have never commuted to work to date but would like to start but a little apprehensive to start.

I am after some advice from cyclist that might commute or ride in the city on good roads to use and or not use on my way in and my way out during peak traffic periods.

I live in the southern suburbs and will commute down the Veloway which is a no brainer but where to from here.  I work on Unley Road, Malvern near Wattle Street so was considering Marion Road, Cross Road and Unley Road.  My thought was they are wide roads with room for cyclists with little stopping hopefully required.

What should I be considering in my route planning?

Thanks

Paul

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Permalink Reply by Sam Young on July 3, 2012 at 14:54

Marion Road has bike lanes, but I've only ridden it on a sunday morning with little traffic, cross road and unley road are both fairly reasonable, though I hear that unley road can get a bit dicey during peak hour (citation needed)

Try the cycleinstead website, see what route they suggest. 

Permalink Reply by Chris Hutchinson on July 3, 2012 at 15:13

Paul

I commute on Marion Road every day, no problems.  My suggestion would be Marion Road/Daws Road/Winston Terrace/Edward Street/Grange Road/Eynesbury Ave/Harrow Tce/Duthy Street.  Definately wouldn't be riding Unley Road!

Pop into Bicycle SA & get a set of the free Cycling maps, if you haven't got them, they are easy to follow

Permalink Reply by Paul Mc on July 3, 2012 at 15:28

I had considered this as an alternative, not sure about all the round abouts?

Permalink Reply by Mike Brisco on July 4, 2012 at 14:20

If the Round-abouts are small, generally OK for bikes.. They are put on side streets to slow traffic down. cars have to stop, but bikes can nip through. Just make sure to 'take the lane' coming up to the roundabout, to avoid risk of a driver overtaking you entering the roundabout, pushing you into the kerb.

Permalink Reply by Mikael Liddy on July 3, 2012 at 15:57

Having tackled Cross Rd it's no issue in peak hour but instead of Unley (horrible surface) I'd go a little further & head down Duthy Street to get to Wattle.

Permalink Reply by Trent on July 3, 2012 at 16:13

i cant stand Marion road. Pot holes, glass and useless bike lanes and plenty of glass.. i typically go south road to Mitsubishi then first right after the pedestrian/lights to go into the plant. down Cashel to daws, up daws to winston. you can then get on to cross road etc. roundabouts are no probs and the roads are smooth to ride on.

Permalink Reply by Mark Parnell MLC on July 3, 2012 at 17:45

Ditto per Trent, except you can stick to South Road past Mitsubishi in a good bike lane to Daws Rd, do a box right turn, then left at Winston, which is a smooth 50kph road with a few roundabouts, easy right turn at lights at Cross Road etc.  

On the return journey, the backstreets of St Marys via Cashel St avoid a couple of kms of South Rd, which you re-join at Mitsubishi.  That is the route Trent suggests.  There are bike lanes for most of the main road riding and lots of cyclists use this route from Blackwood and further South to the City.

After a while, you'll work out your own balance between speed, comfort, safety and traffic.  I'm happy to sacrifice 5-10mins for a more pleasant ride, but each to their own.

Permalink Reply by Paul Mc on July 3, 2012 at 19:57

I will have a bit of look on maps to where Cashel is but sounds good.  It avoids the train crossing on Cross and South Road which could be a bit of a delay if I time it wrong.

Permalink Reply by heather on July 3, 2012 at 18:40

Trent, re hazards on Marion Road.

Contact Traffic Hazards, Transport, by email DPTI.EnquiriesAdministrator@sa.gov.au

If an urgent hazard (includes broken glass), phone 1800 018 313 (24-hr).

Permalink Reply by Paul Inglis on July 3, 2012 at 16:27

Marion, Cross and Unley Rds would be the fastest way. You could use Goodwood Rd instead of Marion as well. Also it is easy enough to cut through Hyde Park on Victoria Ave and King William Rd to avoid Unley Rd if you have to. Unley Rd and South Rd are the only roads in the area that can be tricky so there's enough routes to change it around each if you want. Also if you live near Aberfoyle Park or Woodcroft you could avoid the Veloway entirely and go through Blackwood and Belair.

Permalink Reply by Paul Mc on July 3, 2012 at 19:52

Roads are pretty narrow from Flagstaff to Blackwood unless there is another route?

Permalink Reply by Daniel Lynch on July 3, 2012 at 18:25

I deliver mail in this area, so here's my tips for the low-traffic route to your work (and fairly quick as the roads are quiet and reasonably smooth). This route goes diagonally across the suburbs so should theoretically be the fastest.

  1. Veloway to Marion Road.
  2. Marion Road until Daws intersection and then cross at the pedestrian lights just before the main intersection to take advantage of the newly-built bike path,
  3. Cross Daws Road - follow the train line until Cross  Road
  4. Go up Cross for a few kilometres
  5. Then go down Whistler Ave in Unley Park,
  6. Cut across the reserve 'Heywood Park' (there's a sealed path),
  7. Then you can dogleg to Westall st (runs parallel to King William on the east side)
  8. Then either weave through Hyde Park or head down Park or Opey st to Unley road,
  9. And you're at work!

Here's a map: http://www.bikemap.net/route/1680087#lat=-34.988202398898&lng=1...

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