Safer cyclist crossing of ring route & Fitzroy Terrace
8-Sep-2010 Heather and Rachel Sanderson, Member for Adelaide, discussed the difficulty of crossing Fitzroy Terrace, especially when vehicles obstruct the bicycle / pedestrian passageways, in breach of Australian Road Rules s. 198. In 1996 Transport budgeted for a pedestrian / cyclist button-activated crossing here, but it did not go ahead. About 2002 when Torrens Road-Fitzroy Terrace intersection was to be upgraded, Heather asked Transport for cyclist improvements which were vetoed. “Would slow the traffic.” When later Heather asked BikeSouth for a solution, got one then two bicycle passageways. This does keep cyclists out of the busy Fitzroy Terrace-Braund Road intersection, but still difficult to cross Fitzroy Terrace with any safety during peak times. Not helped by cars turning left out of Braund Road and Torrens Road, signalling left then changing lanes to the right. Also vehicles coming to a staggered halt due to red lights at Prospect Road, but illegally obstructing the bicycle passageway. Heather has now written twice to Transport asking for 'keep clear' to be painted on the bicycle passageways. Rachel will write to the Minister for Transport, asking for ‘keep clear’ to be painted in the passageways, plus road signs warning to watch for pedestrians and cyclists. We also had preliminary discussions on excess traffic volumes, speeds and collisions in bikedirect Braund Road, as stated in multiple Prospect Council reports over the years.
23-Sep-2010 Heather attended the Norwood cycling forum arranged by Steven Marshall, Member for Norwood. Rachel Sanderson, Member for Adelaide , attended. ACC's Traffic Manager said that the ACC depended on other councils cycling infrastructure for cyclists to commute to the CBD. That ACC wanted to retain a 'strong' ring route to keep vehicles out of the city, but also wanted to ease crossing of cyclists. Traffic would not be slowed – cars still rule. He showed a plan for the intersection of Fullarton Road, William Street and Angas Street, that relies on traffic islands. It will help a little but I know it is not the full answer. Timely information considering Rachel Sanderson has written to the Minister for Transport, asking for changes to help cyclists cross busy Fitzroy Road near bikedirect Braund Road.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kristina Barnett on -
Thank you Heather and Rachel.
Returning to bicycling after some years, it is good to know that we have some 'champions' in trying to make bicycling a safer journey in Prospect. Being a candidate in the Prospect Council 2010 elections, I have mentioned 'safer bicycle... paths' in one of my election fliers (along with solar-powered street lighting). I have put this quote "When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair of the human race." H.G. Wells
on my website www//kristinabarnett.freehosting.net
Kristina Barnett
[Authorised by Kristina Barnett, 42 Marian Place, Prospect 5082] -
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Permalink Reply by heather on -
Rachel Sanderson, Liberal Member for Adelaide, wrote to Patrick Conlon, Labor Minister for Transport on 17-Sep-2010 seeking a safer crossing for cyclists and pedestrians at the end of bikedirect Braund Road to cross Fitzroy Terrace. On 9-Dec-2010 the Minister for Transport replied, vetoing any improvement for cyclists trying to cross multi-lane Fitzroy Terrace which is also a freight route for large trucks. DTEI observed, as I have, vehicles stopped and obstructing the bicycle passageways, a breach of Australian Road Rules section 198. Painting 'keep clear' on the roadway to encourage drivers to obey the ARR and not obstruct cyclists was vetoed.
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Permalink Reply by heather on
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Fitzroy Terrace does not cater for cyclist safety on other counts. Or more accurate to say that DTEI and the State Government do not cater for cyclist safety on Fitzroy Terrace.
Adelaide, North Adelaide, Fitzroy Terrace with bicycle lanes. Cycling hazard of bicycle lane narrowed in 4 places. On the southern side of Fitzroy Terrace, between Prospect Road and Torrens Road. Locations hard to describe because no street numbers for parklands. Locations are associated with concrete protuberances into the roadway. Can be viewed using Near Map www.nearmap.com The bicycle lane width is about 1.4m wide, except in 4 locations. Location 1, bicycle lane width 0.98m which includes gutter of 0.22m, kerb height 0.22m. Location 2, bicycle lane width 0.91m which includes gutter of 0.22m, kerb height 0.29m. Location 3, bicycle lane width 0.68m. Location 4, bicycle lane width 0.83m. At location 4 the bicycle lane narrows before disappearing altogether. At location 4 I saw a large truck which would have left little room for a cyclist if the truck to the right of its travel lane. However, the truck wheels were actually in the the bicycle lane. I took the measurements on Saturday when less traffic and did not observe the tracking of other trucks. Note that Fitzroy Terrace is a freight route which many heavy trucks use, as I have observed in morning peak hour.
From http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/transport_network/facts_figures/traf...
Average Annual Daily Traffic Estimates 24-hour two way flows at 18-Apr-2010
AADT commercial %
Fitzroy Terrace 42,000 1,800 4.5%
Where the bicycle lane narrows, it is less than Austroads width for bicycle lanes, and even less than the bicycle design envelope.
Disappointingly the bicycle lane disappears altogether where the cyclist needs it most, over the left slip lane, then reappears again.
Disappointingly there are no bicycle lanes on the northern side of Fitzroy Terrace. There is a long bicycle route with bicycle lanes, that includes Park Terrace, Robe Terrace, Walkerville Terrace, Stephen Terrace and Osmond Terrace, but road planners let down cyclists in Fitzroy Terrace. Cyclists need a bicycle lane on the northern side of Fitzroy Terrace, for their safety when so many vehicles and heavy trucks.
Disappointingly there is no bicycle lane (green-coloured needed) to help cyclists pass with some safety the left slip lane from Fitzroy Terrace into Prospect Road.
Disappointingly there is no bicycle lane (green-coloured needed) to help cyclists pass with some safety the double left slip lane from Fitzroy Terrace into Main North Road. I am very anxious when cycling here, and for good reason, when drivers cut cyclists off, and at some speed. -
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Permalink Reply by heather on
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The more recent traffic count has the numbers increased to 47,500 AADT. So getting harder for cyclists to safely cross at the bicycle passageway.
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Permalink Reply by heather on
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On 14-May-2011 I reported to authorities that the bicycle lane on southern Fitzroy Terrace narrowed in a few places due to concrete protuberances. Here the bicycle lane was less than the minimum one metre width. By 3-Sep-2011 this had been remedied.
Learnt from DTEI that the traffic count for Fitzroy Terrace, as on their website, is out of date. Actually 47,500 vpd. Even more reason for the missing sections of bicycle lanes to marked. And a safer crossing for cyclists during peak times, at minimum 'keep clear' to be painted on the bicycle passageways to remind drivers not to obstruct these passageways, which is breaching ARR s. 198.
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Permalink Reply by heather on
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Yesterday I wanted to use the bicycle passageway to cross Fitzroy Terrace. Around 3.15pm and light traffic. A truck driver stopped back from the crossing to indicate for me to cross. Thanks. Most drivers obstruct this bicycle passageway (breach of ARR s. 198) so pleasantly surprised.
Reminds me that on 13-Mar-2012 I encountered an unattended public bus here. Parked a bit out from the kerb and in the bicycle lane. Obstructing the bicycle passageway and the service road / shared path. I wrote to Hon Chloe Fox MP, Minister for Transport Services.
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Permalink Reply by heather on
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Please respond to ACC's draft Integrated Movement Strategy, saying that you support its aims to decrease private cars in the CBD and increase Active Transport. However, at the same time it must be made safer for cyclists to cross the inner ring route to reach the CBD, e.g. bikedirect Braund Road across Fitzroy Terrace.
ACC wants to “strengthen” the inner ring route to discourage cars from entering the CBD. However, it will make it more difficult and less safe for cyclists and pedestrians, which in turn will discourage Active Transport and encourage more to drive into the city. When you respond to the ACC draft Integrated Movement Strategy, due 8-Jun-2012, please point this out. Info and links at http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/group/adelaidebug/forum/topics/acc-...
Cyclists MUST have effective crossings where bikedirect routes intersect the inner ring route.Of the bikedirect routes that cross the inner ring route into the CBD, Braund Road appears to be the only one without any lights. Remind the authorities that need an actuated pedestrian-cyclist crossing for safety. Many pedestrians cross here: walking to the City or North Adelaide; walk their dog in the park; attend the Adelaide Aquatic Centre. That is, Braund Road, Fitzroy, Prospect.
Fred Hansen might agree too.
Like a broken record, it’s got to be pedestrian friendly, you have to be able to get to the parkland and you have to be able to get over Port Road in way that makes you feel comfortable and safe. – Adelaide Review, Dec-2012, http://www.adelaidereview.com.au/article/472
The URA replaces the old Land Management Corporation (LMC) with elements of Housing SA and Defence SA . . . The URA replaces the old Land Management Corporation (LMC) with elements of Housing SA and Defence SA. – Adelaide Review, May-2012 http://www.adelaidereview.com.au/article/1510 -
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