Unley Council - bike lane has a trip-rope chain pulled across it
My girlfriend is still limping 1 1/2 weeks after coming off her bike on a bike track.
Do you know the track behind Wayville Showgrounds? It's a mine field! On the Rose Tce end there is chain pulled across a driveway that looks like part of the bike path (the path diverges), and on the other end is part of a boullard sticking out of the ground. As this track is not lit, I would not advise cycling down it at night! (unless you wear a cushion in your knickers!).
I have rung the Unley council and neither of these obstacles have yet been removed, although promises have been made.
So my girlfriend has had to access a car, take days off work (cos she can't sit), and limp in pain.
Is there insurance for us cyclists if we need medical care or time off work?
Is this group an advocacy group which can put some pressure on councils and drivers?
Sometimes it can feel very vulnerable trying to do the right thing and use a bike, rather than a car.
Thanks,
Tags: Council, Unley, Wayville, bicycle, bike, insurance, safety?, showgrounds, track
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by heather on -
I do not know the location or the law. It sounds like the lighting does not meet Australian Standards. If so, this may be something for a compensation lawyer to investigate.
Please take photos and post on this discussion, so cyclists can understand the layout. Even to embarrass the council on its delay in fixing the hazard. Also its delay in the interim of placing warning orange 'candlesticks' or similar. Visible safety flags on the chain would be a good idea. The council may be considered negligent in not placing safety markers around a reported hazard.
I recently came to grief (not as bad as your friend) in Prospect where the footpath and road were cut up on a corner in a bicycle lane, and left without 'making good'. I lost control at night on a corner due to gravel, a pothole, plus a step of 70mm. Read more at Prospect BUG.
P.S. Join the AC group of Bicycle Blackspot Eradication and post the incident and pictures.
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Permalink Reply by Aurora Murphy on -
Hey Heather,
great idea - thanks - I'll take some pix and post them.
Yeh - I didn't want to complain about the council but on last look nothing had changed (although they promised)
Hope you're ok after your crash!
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on -
Depending on your income you might like to look at membership of BikeSA which includes some insurance:
http://www.bikesa.asn.au/servlet/Web?s=2060570&action=changePag...
What is Member Liability Insurance? This insurance covers you in the event you injure a third party or damage third party property whilst participating in bicycle riding activities.
What does the Accident Insurance cover?
The policy covers items such as Loss of Income, Lump sum benefits following Death or Trauma, Non Medicare Medical Expenses and Rehabilitation Costs.
Just note that this does not insure your bike. Membership costs are
Individual - $75 Concession - $55
Household - $105
Household Concession - $75
A lot of shops give you a discount for being a member if (unlike me) you remember to get your card out! BikeSA also provide legal advice in these sorts of situations.
Michael
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Permalink Reply by Aurora Murphy on
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I always wondered about that insurance - thanks Michael! Cheap per household, that's great.
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Permalink Reply by Aurora Murphy on
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wow, thanks Road Repair.
I actually have reported an incident to Unley Xouncil before, about 2 years ago. Half a kurb was erected in the middle of goodwood road at the tram crossing - remember when they put those in? Well it wasn't there in the morning, and not flagged (only half-done) so I fell into traffic. Thank goodness they all stopped!
I am shocked by their lack of response. The roads ARE dreadful in Goodwood - I used to live there. Plympton Park is better.
Ha! Aren't some of those Mike Turtur bike signs crap! Looks like a bunch of publicity. Here in Plymton they've BUILT a bike track, not just put signs over potholes.
PS - I LOVE your blog!
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Permalink Reply by Dahondude on -
yep that spot is a death trap. Ive only ridden past it once, but thought to myself you wouldn't want to ride down there in the dark cos of the chain and that half bollard sticking up. The lack of lighting makes it even worse....even with overhead lights I reckon the chain would be almost invisible at night. What makes it worse (if it can be) is that its an official marked bike lane. You should be sending Unley Council (or whichever council is responsible) your medical bills.
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Permalink Reply by Lee-Anne on -
Yep/. I ride this path 3-4 times a wk and think each time, as i head south, 'gee i should call the showgrounds'. Have only ever riden it once in the dark - and i did it as speed as i rather nervous about being in a secluded, dark, rarely used path; i would prefer to take Goodood rd from now on
And whats more - there is often rubbish and debris from the ASFM on a sunday arvo.
Oh and you have noticed that the gates along the railtracks have been open for the last wk? - odd thing really, (with quite a drop and open tracks just there) but the 2 times i tried to call the ADL metro to let them know it was 'out of our hours'.
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Permalink Reply by Aurora Murphy on
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wow - I better watch those railtracks! Yes, seems safer to go Goody road and crave the buses
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Permalink Reply by snappy_don on -
Yes that's a bad spot. I nearly crashed a few weeks ago- My memory is that year or so back cyclists would ride along that driveway for 20m and then turn off to bypass the showgrounds when you reached the entrance gate. So now they've rerouted the bike path slightly and chained off the drive.. I still do a double take when I reach that place. The chain is low and hard to see.
When I had my skid, there was some orange bunting flags on a nearby fence, which I ripped off and wrapped around the chain as a warning- I guess my hack job was removed by our tidy council workers.. Ring the council depot. Or email. If they think it could cost them an insurance claim they'll fix it fast enough.
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Permalink Reply by Aurora Murphy on
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Ha Snappy Don - I also tried a hjack job (to wrench off the chain). Yes, you're flags have been returned, I mean, the site has been cleaned!
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Permalink Reply by heather on
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Hi snappy don. Will you be cycling there soon? Will you take some still photos and post here?
Once there is public photographic evidence, I will ask cyclists who know the site and problem to write to the Unley Council (and post their letters here). A hint to Dahondude, Lee-Anne and snappy don. If we cyclists help each other, and support Aurora's friend...
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Permalink Reply by Aurora Murphy on
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sorry Heather for not getting pix - I'm new and didn't realise you were such an active lot! I've stumbled upon a bit of a gem here, finding this blog. I've been a cyclist for many years and it often feels as though everyone is out to kill or maime us.
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