Mt Lofty Bollards - Clever or Death Trap
I rode the Mt Lofty Bollards on Sunday (the first time in months) and notice they have extended the walking path by shrinking the bike track, obviously this has been done to make it safer for the odd walker but decending is now clearly a death trap.
Countless rocks, twigs, mud puddles and even weeds growing up to 50cm in the middle of the path all at 40k/mh+.
I stopped and watched cyclists for a while and out of the 12 cyclists who decended, not one of them stayed in the down track, so how can this improvemnt be considered safe if everyone now decends in the up track?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jilden on -
The Pioneer Womens walking trail comes up via the old bullock track from Burnside (access behind the old Eagle-on-the-hill hotel), so walkers need an official path I suppose. Of course if the track hadn't been narrowed so much after decommissioning the temporary road around the hill, there wouldn't be a problem today.
-
Permalink Reply by greg looyestyn on
-
I have found quite a few walkers on this track, even one bloke walking his dog on a 10m long piece of rope!
I "communicated" to him to get a shorter "lead" to maintain control of the canine.
I ride in the "walking" lane on the uphill climb, it allows the descenders a bit more space.
-
Permalink Reply by Matt Jones on -
I ride in the "walking" lane on the uphill climb, it allows the descenders a bit more space.
Lol, so do I , but mostly because I climb at walking pace.
-
Permalink Reply by MarkK on -
maybe thats why they put the walking track in, because dogs are not allowing in the Nat Park
-
Permalink Reply by Tim B on -
I think the walking track part of the path starts just after Eagle on the Hill, presumably so walkers can walk to Crafers from there. I have seen a few walkers on this part of the track before. I also ride up in the walking track to give bikes coming down some room as it is usually empty and you can see far enough ahead to miss the peds.
I have also seen walkers on the bottom part of the bike path between Mt Osmond and the Toll Gates. I dont believe they should be there (although i dont think there are laws against it) just a stupid place to walk with bikes coming down. Had a few close calls with dudes walking with ipods on and skateboards etc. That part of the track is dangerous enough IMO as it is fairly narrow and you often see people descending it far too fast IMO.
-
Permalink Reply by heather on -
If it is signposted for cyclists (and not pedestrians), then illegal for pedestrians to be on a cycle path. This applies to The Veloway, where cyclists at high speed have been injured when unexpectedly encountering an illegal pedestrian. If signposted for cyclists, please inform the pedestrians by pointing out the signage.
-
Permalink Reply by Tim B on
-
As far as a I know, the bottom part of the track is only signposted as cycle lanes, one up and one down. The bit from Devils Elbow up to Eagle on the hill is one cycle lane only, i think as the down track in on the road and rejoins under the bridge. The top part of the the bike path above Eagle on the Hill has three lanes, bike up, bike down and pedestrian.
Im not actually sure how a pedestrian is supposed to get from the Eagle or Mount Osmond down to Portrush road.....?
-
Permalink Reply by heather on
-
Tim, please look carefully next time you ride the Crafers Bikeway (official name). Even take photos to prove your recall and post here.
-
Permalink Reply by Jilden on
-
Walkers and cyclists can use the up track from Devils Elbow to Crafers. Residents of Old Mt Barker Rd can walk up to the top legally. The Old Bullock Track is both a MTB cycle access and walking path from Burnside to the Eagle.
-
Permalink Reply by Tim B on
-
The uptrack of what, the bike lane or the road?
The bike lane is marked as cycle only, which, presumably indicates bikes only?
-
Permalink Reply by Jilden on
-
Last time I went up Old Mt Barker Rd, it was pedestrians to the left, bikes next on the right, the kerb, then up track of the road. Bikes come down on the (mostly) two lane down track. You can clearly see the solid inner line of the bike lane and pedestrians can use the remaining strip of pavement. I'm sure there was a sign at the Elbow but it may be gone now. The track line markings are clearly visible on Nearmap.
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
