Obstructed Bike Lanes.
I thought I would start a discussion for people to post pics of unnecessary obstructions to bike lanes for roadworks signage etc, or of missing signage in relation to roadworks.
This is not meant to be a criticism of speed limit reductions around roadworks, but rather a pointing out of inconsiderate behaviour by roadworks and traffic control contractors, and government/council authorities who issue and supervise the permits for the works.
Here are a couple to start with.
2 June 2012. The roadworks were on the slip road going down to North Terrace, of which one lane was closed. 25km/hr is appropriate. One of the "25" was placed so as to totally block the bike lane heading over the bridge. There was adequate space on the footpath (where the roadworks sign is) for the speed sign, without obstructing the footpath, as an alternative was available 3 metres away. There was no advance signage warning that the bike lane was closed. A cyclist coming at speed from Light Square, travelling downhill with a green light would be left with nowhere to go but to veer into the path of motor vehicles in the next lane.
14 June 2012. Railway Terrace, Mile End South. This set of signs could have been set to the left of the (full-time) bike lane a little more in advance of the roadworks (just before the stobie pole). without obstructing anything. A second set of signs was located a little further on, near the parked cars. Again, there was no advance signage for the obstruction of the bike lane. At least with this one, it is a long straight road, with clear sight lines.
If you see any unnecessary or dangerous obstructions, post a pic here, with a description.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Michelle Crick on -
There is a group just for this purpose :-)
-
Permalink Reply by heather on -
Recently a cyclist said he would send me photos of how they do it better in Victoria. That is, placing of roadworks signs with less obstruction of bicycle lanes or cyclists. Looking forward to the photos.
-
Permalink Reply by hozozco on -
The construction works around Majors Road were doing this quite a bit a first, but seem to have got their act together and now leave the bike lanes unobstructed.
To play Devils Advocate - looking at the above photos, where would you put the signs? If they put the signs on the footpath they may not be seen by the motorists (we all know how well they look for things). If they move the signs into the car lane they effectively block that lane instead.The cars should be slowing to 25kph at that point. I think most motorists are capable of sharing a lane with a cyclist for a couple of metres at that speed. /End of Devils Advocate
What concerns me more is when they do the same thing at the 60/70/80kph sign - at that point the cyclist is sharing the lane with vehicles going much faster.
Simon
-
Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on -
Simon I witnessed a near miss last night on OG Road which is similar to David's second photo. I spoke with the construction guys this morning who tried to deflect me off to a traffic management group not on site. I said that even if they did not put the signs out they are required to have a plan on site showing how the signs should be put out. I advised that they should check in case the plan shows a different situation and if not they should inform the traffic management company that they have had complaints. They agreed to check. They also asked me what I would do differently I pointed out the signs in the bike lane were duplicating the message very visible in the painted median and that they could move the signs back behind the kerb at least during the period the bike lanes were operational as they have with associated works on North East Road. It will be interesting to see if any change tonight. By the way I agree with your Devil's Advocatedness(?) in regard to pic 1. 3 lanes and a lot of traffic the sign on the median will be hard to see and the sign in the bike lane if moved to the footpath would block it. Not sure what a better solution here could be.
-
Permalink Reply by David Southern on -
In the Morphett St Beidge situation, a second set of signs was located on the "peninsula" at the division between the uphill and downhill lanes, directly in the face of any driver deviating to go down to north Terrace. The sign complained of could have been located a little to the left, where the orange roadworks sign is. If necessary, the signs could have been arranged one above the other so as to have a smaller footprint.
If it were deemed necessary to obstruct the bike lane, then there definitely should have been advance warning of the fact.
-
Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on
-
Return trip Friday night...... no change. Very disappointing I have to go that way tomorrow wonder what it is like on the weekend.
-
Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on
-
An update. I actually managed to speak on site this am with a rep from the the company providing the traffic management service on OG Road. Should I name themm? Bad timing though as he was actually removing the signs completely. He was adamant that it was perfectly legit to block the bike lane I was equally adamant that it wasn't. We left it at that but I said I would follow up when I got to work and get back to him and would apologise if I was wrong. Well I checked and then got advice from the TASS group in DPTI and phoned back to advise what he should have done. In short I was correct.
A number of options and combination of options included a defined merge prior to the sign, use of prior warning signs in the footpath saying bike lane closed ahead (albeit instantaneously) with the merge, mounting the signs half in the bike lane and half in the footpath still requiring a merge but it was most definitely not correct to just block the lane. TASS had other concerns with the signage including why it was out on OG Road with the associated Roadworks occurring so far down a council side road and they also informed that the police just recently had enforced these requirements on the constructors working along Payneham Road. I was assured this info will be passed on to the guys on site and I was also told they were well stocked with the correct signage to be used so we will just wait and see.
Having said that the "Field Guide" Traffic Control Devices for Workzone Traffic Management prepared by the TASS group in DPTI is filled with example situations and demonstrates the signage required. Hardly any of them include Bike Lanes and TASS themselves said this would be rectified. However it is only a guide and is not expected to cover every situation but as more bike lanes emerge they will have to be addressed.
-
Permalink Reply by heather on
-
It is a continuing problem of roadworks signage creating a cycling hazard.
Would a knowledgeable person provide a link to the pertinent traffic management document?
Would cyclists then make constructive comments? So that we could approach the authority, asking for added info about considering cyclist safety and how.
-
Permalink Reply by Tiny Avenger on -
The problem here is that the bike lane is regarded as a convenient place where, variously: signs can be placed so as not to obstruct the travel lane, cars may pull over to drop off passengers, cars may pull out from side streets to see whether there is a break in traffic to enter the lane etc etc. (the fact that it is not actually the case that these things are permitted doesn't change either the perception or the current practice) If bike lanes were seen as legitimate travel lanes for one mode of transport then no one would even think of blocking the lane let alone arguing that not to do so would mean having to block the travel lane for another mode. Where bike lanes are policed drivers soon change their behaviour and for example, start parking in side streets not in the bike lane (as has recently happened I believe along Port Rd to the chagrin of the local businesses and residents whose quiet side streets have now become car parks...)
-
Permalink Reply by heather on
-
The definition of a bicycle lane . . . alternate parking when drivers cannot find a vacant on-street car park.
Tiny Avenger, yes, the attitude is the problem. But sometimes one has to start with the legislation, or a whistle-blower claiming large compensation or embarrassing the company. A good example is anti-discrimination, in particular sexual harassment. Someone was successful in claiming a large settlement from DJ's through the courts, and now the Skype case has blown the lid on the ADF.
So let us come up with proposals for cyclist-friendly traffic management, successfully advocate for inclusion, then report any lapses.
I have been slowly plugging away at reporting cycling hazards to authorities: 234 in 2011, and 153 for part 2012.
-
Permalink Reply by Mike W on -
@ Heather - "The definition of a bicycle lane . . . alternate parking when drivers cannot find a vacant on-street car park"
The new design of the N81 road into Dublin Ireland. This road would be similiar to Unley (Street) Road or Goodwood Road in Adelaide. The bike lane is 24/7 and no parking permitted on either side at any time.
Busses, taxis, emergency and service vehicles only are permitted in the bus lane.Wake up Adelaide !!!
(click on pic to enlarge)
-
Permalink Reply by VeloAvenger on
-
+1 of everything. And rubish bins, yard clippings, drainage water, broken glass( see rubbish bins), Bus stops, Bus hailing people, car door opening zone, Ideal man hole cover location, ideal dig up for water pipes and repave bumpier location, lane for car drivers to stagger to see past the car infront of them.Yada yada yadda.
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
