Recent road infrastructure changes for cyclists on Old Port Road
Recent road infrastructure changes for cyclists on Old Port Road
Cycling home yesterday evening I encountered recent road marking alterations on Old Port Road at Royal Park. Old Port Road has recently had an on road bicycle lane painted on the shoulder of the road, a valuable addition for cyclist safety. The recent alterations to the road markings at the intersection with Frederick Road leave me astounded. Previously, (refer figure 1) a cyclist proceeding in a northerly direction along Old Port Road would have an opportunity to merge with traffic utilising the slip lane from Frederick Road.
Figure 1: Corner Old Port Road and Frederick Road Royal Park April 2012 (source: nearmap)
Now however the amended road markings (refer figure 2) require the cyclist to cut across the slip lane at an acute angle approx 20 metres after the intersection. My experience utilising this new road making yesterday was most unpleasant, a circumstance that I believe may soon result in serious injury or death for an unfortunate cyclist. The issue is that the motorist utilising the slip lane at a potential speed of 60 km/hr tends to look over their right shoulder to gauge what vehicles might be approaching along Old Port Road. As a cyclist that is well aware of the necessity to gain eye contact with a driver when there might be a potential conflict, I can assure you that in this instance there is little possibility of that occurring. The motorist’s eyes are well and truly outside of the near zone where the cyclist is now being directed to merge. This amended road marking does not serve the needs of cyclists, it is dangerous and perpetuates the sovereignty of heavier vehicles gaining right of way by virtue of their mass and speed. If this is the result of improved facilities for cyclists I believe we need to ensure that road traffic engineers are retrained so as to gain a better understanding of the behaviour of merging traffic and the vulnerable position this type of road marking causes for cyclists.
Figure 2: Corner Old Port Road and Frederick Road Royal Park October 2012 (source: nearmap)
I welcome your comments and suggestions.
If this is the new type of improved road marking to enhance cycling, I question why somebody believes that as a cyclist I would enjoy having to stop and give away to slipstream traffic when I have just waited at traffic lights for the privilege of being allowed to proceed through the intersection. Perhaps I do not have a complete understanding of how I was meant to navigate this type of facility. I do know however that it felt most unsafe and that even though the previous road marking treatment meant merging with fast moving traffic, at least you had a much improved chance of being in their line of sight.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Belinda Hoare on -
I've navigated this intersection a dozen or so times since the new lane was installed, and I can honestly say I have never encountered any problems. Any car that was coming through the slip lane saw the bike lane marking on the road, and stopped. I've had cars, motorbikes, cars with boats on trailers, trucks, and buses all wait for me. The only thing I dislike about the bike lane cutting across the slip lane is the angle of it - it's a little sharp, and I usually stay out of it for a second or 2. I find the whole intersection far safer than it used to be.
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Permalink Reply by Darren on -
I think the idea is to bring you perpendicular to the oncoming traffic to provide the cyclist with a better view. There are a number of these crossings along the Port Expressway across double lane exits.
I note the dashed lines on the road - Is the merging traffic expected to give way in this situation? Are there signs requiring cars to give way to cyclists? Or alternatively are there signs warning cyclists to give way to traffic approaching from the left?
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Permalink Reply by Richard on -
Something designed by a non-cyclist with good intentions I'm afraid, or maybe a weekend, bike path only cyclist.
Just remove the cross over lane and make the cycling lane dashed for some distance - the former to allow cyclists to move over as safety permits and the latter so it's not mandatory to be in the cycling lane (not sure if a dashed line is law but it should be).
Have fun with that intersection. I don't get to ride along Port Rd but have cause to drive along it and you have my sympathy.
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Permalink Reply by heather on -
The email address of Transport, DPTI, to relate your concerns is DPTI.EnquiriesAdministrator@sa.gov.au
With a cc to the local council.
One of your requests might be for a short section of the bicycle lane to be coloured green, which is happening now at several locations in Adelaide Metro.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Bland on -
A " Give way to cyclists " sign on the slipway, just before the point where the cyclists have to cross ,would be a good safety measure .
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on -
I like Michael's suggestion but I'm not sure I would trust motorists to always give way, I'd go so far as to put a full Give way sign there with appropriate road markings etc. From the photos it looks like cyclist have plenty of time and clear vision to look left for cars in the slip lane and to then make an informed decision how to proceed.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Bland on
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Yep , I agree , a give way sign would work .
I don't trust motorists to even stop at red lights . Always a good idea to be defensive on the roads when either walking , driving , or riding .
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on -
Um no put a give way sign in and the left slip becomes useless. Surely the onus is on the cyclist if he/she chooses to use this lane I am not sure that they have too (I could be wrong depending on signage) to pick a suitable gap and cross to the lane safely.
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Permalink Reply by Darren on
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Cyclists are required to use bike lanes when provided and possible to do so. So yes, they have to.
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on
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Darren I did say depending on signage. I'm not sure if bike lane signs (not symbols) are present. Anyhow looks like it is being fixed now according to posts at the end of the thread.
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