On the Bicycles

[johnnigh]

Hardly a surprise when the centre cannot be reached safely from nearly any direction. Council & the state govt promised to build cycleways during the Airport Link project, but have, as usual, forgotten to do so... to be done sometime, anytime in the future... 

[SurfRail]

Unsurprising when there aren't even bus lanes connecting the 2 bits of busway, and no signal priority.

[Golliwog]

Hardly a surprise when the centre cannot be reached safely from nearly any direction. Council & the state govt promised to build cycleways during the Airport Link project, but have, as usual, forgotten to do so... to be done sometime, anytime in the future... 

They have built and opened some there, but forgotten others. There's a ped/cycle bridge on the western side of Bowen Bridge Rd over the creek which will get you to Northey St and the bikeway there from Ashgrove, as will the previously existing ped/cycle bridge across the creek off of Butterfield St. ICB has a cycleway next to it doesn't it? O'Connell Tce isn't bad to cycle on and Mayne Rd connects down to Abbotsford Rd opposite Edmondstone Rd which is easy enough to get to from Kingsford Smith Drive. Though what Google has marked as a separate cycle path on their cycle maps is very narrow in a number of places along KS Drive.

Could certainly be better though, especially if they opened the cycleway they built under spaghetti junction that would connect Federation St with Campbell St.

[HappyTrainGuy]

The Airport link/Clem 7 cycleway/shared path thing (goes under the FG line/loop into Mayne along the river and comes out under one of the Bridges) hasn't been open for a long time but there might be another entrance/detour via the lights next to the Boral cement place. And the ICB cycleway. Is that the one that loops around following the railway line on the school side and then goes somewhere else once it gets to Roma Street? I don't actually think those two are linked to each other but would that surprise us.... cough*busway*cough. Sorry, I really need to get that cough looked at

[Golliwog]

The Airport link/Clem 7 cycleway/shared path thing (goes under the FG line/loop into Mayne along the river and comes out under one of the Bridges) hasn't been open for a long time but there might be another entrance/detour via the lights next to the Boral cement place. And the ICB cycleway. Is that the one that loops around following the railway line on the school side and then goes somewhere else once it gets to Roma Street? I don't actually think those two are linked to each other but would that surprise us.... cough*busway*cough. Sorry, I really need to get that cough looked at

As I understand it they don't, but in terms of access to the RBH cycle centre, the ICB one is then straight down the (IIRC) wide footpath on the hospital side of Bowen Bridge Road from Herston Rd.

You're not meant to be able to get into the Airport Link/Clem 7 cycleway thing from either of the 3 (that I'm aware of) entrances with them all having temporary fencing across them somewhere. But it's a perfectly serviceable path as far as I can see. One of the fences had a "Contact Brisconnections to find out why this is closed" type sign.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Yeah. The entrance on Campbell Street has been fenced off there since the old entrance to Mayne was still operational But there have been times where I've seen peds/cyclists waiting at the lights on the exit of the Clem7 tunnel so I just assumed there must be some type of pathway through there unless they are just jumping/walking around any temp fencing.

[Golliwog]

Yeah. The entrance on Campbell Street has been fenced off there since the old entrance to Mayne was still operational But there have been times where I've seen peds/cyclists waiting at the lights on the exit of the Clem7 tunnel so I just assumed there must be some type of pathway through there unless they are just jumping/walking around any temp fencing.

As far as I'm aware, it's only the fenced one. The entrance to Mayne?

[HappyTrainGuy]

The old entrance to Mayne (as in the depot) was on Campbell road. It was moved because some overpasses and tunnels could be built. I used it as a way of saying how long that fence has been up for

[johnnigh]

The CBDBUG has been agitating and complaining about this and associated issues ever since the tunnel builders walked away from their planned cycleways, with govt collusion. Yes, there is a blocked off cycleway segment that remains blocked for reasons that are quite unclear. But despite govts state and local making all the correct noises about active transport, when it comes to spending a penny on it they postpone.
If PT is poorly treated, AT is much worse. The better the benefit/cost ratios, the lower on priorities the projects seem to be. So we get money wasted on roads instead of rail or the extremely cheap cycle and ped infrastructure.

[#Metro]

^ I think this is material local newspapers may be interested in? Any photos?

[HappyTrainGuy]

What are the actual issues? I'm assuming that there must not be any bridge built over the river connecting the two pathways? Considering I've seen numerous people and cyclists waiting at those lights it must be easy to access or get close too to see why its fenced off.

[Golliwog]

What are the actual issues? I'm assuming that there must not be any bridge built over the river connecting the two pathways? Considering I've seen numerous people and cyclists waiting at those lights it must be easy to access or get close too to see why its fenced off.

As far as I'm aware, there's nothing missing connection-wise (I've walked it). It could be a safety issue as from memory the ped creek crossing is only separated from the traffic coming out of the Clem 7 by a concrete crash barrier (easily climbable) so they may be concerned about people jumping that and interfering with traffic?

Not sure and just hypothesizing.

[newbris]

I read on brisbane cyclist that there is asbestos waiting to be cleared from beside the path and the various parties were arguing about who was responsible for the cleanup.

One forum member talked to a contractor quite a few months back who said it would be done soon but still not open ?

[newbris]

This quote from the story does not seem to match the headline ?

Headline: "Unsustainable Cycle Centre..."

Vs

"Through a significant marketing drive, strategies for easier payment and reduction of power consumption and air conditioning expenses, the centre did not record a deficit for the 2012-13 financial year," he said.

[Golliwog]

This quote from the story does not seem to match the headline ?

Headline: "Unsustainable Cycle Centre..."

Vs

"Through a significant marketing drive, strategies for easier payment and reduction of power consumption and air conditioning expenses, the centre did not record a deficit for the 2012-13 financial year," he said.

Since when have the facts ever got between The Courier Mail and the story they want to tell?

[#Metro]

The reason why the cycle centre is having so much difficulty is because it is run by Queensland Health.
Privatise it.

The documents reveal the hospital-operated facility, which was built by the previous government for $8 million in 2009, generated losses of more than $131,000 in 20010-11 and $75,000 the following year.

$8 Million dollars for a cycling hut. As much as I like cycling I don't think it should cost $8 million to build. A cost that high suggests that someone didn't run the numbers and the decision to design and build it was under political control rather than economic control (investors would have worked out how large the facility could be vs the amount of money that went into building it vs how much they stood to potentially lose/gain). The second issue is that business can borrow to grow their operations, something like this public cycle centre can't do that easily - it would have to lobby gov't for more funds, and we know that's an effort in itself, more effort than say, walking into a bank and asking for a business loan. Private financing expansion/promotion would allow this business to grow.

Losses are a signal that the facility is not being run the right way. Sustained losses will see the operation go bankrupt and this process (which I assure you is normal) will allow the facilities to be put under new (and hopefully more competent) management without the bigger overheads (as the loss will be worn by the seller in the transaction).

Losses and bankruptcy are not a failure of the market. They are the market working and are essential to removing bad management and replacing it with new management.

[newbris]

The current mgt seem to have already stopped the losses which makes the headline misleading.

A facility like this also has to look at the bigger picture of the benefit it provides to employees health and attendance, the relieving of pressure on providing expensive car parking facilities, the contribution it provides to active transport takeup etc. Not always possible for private business to take this bigger picture as usually the full cost to the budget is measured but the full savings to the budget are not. Only direct till receipts are counted which can make an overall beneficial programme seem like a loss.

[#Metro]

The current mgt seem to have already stopped the losses which makes the headline misleading.

A facility like this also has to look at the bigger picture of the benefit it provides to employees health and attendance, the relieving of pressure on providing expensive car parking facilities, the contribution it provides to active transport takeup etc. Not always possible for private business to take this bigger picture as usually the full cost to the budget is measured but the full savings to the budget are not. Only direct till receipts are counted which can make an overall beneficial programme seem like a loss.

It is true that they have been able to bring the losses right down, so this is heading in the right direction. However it is not making profit it seems. The way to tell if something is generating value over and above the costs expended to set up the organisation in the first place is to see if it is making money - i.e. generating value for the economy.

While it is true that there would be benefit to employees health and attendance, it is also true that if the cycle centre did not exist, many would cycle there anyway. Private gyms also improve health and attendance, and these aren't government owned or subsidised. As a public organisation, this cycle centre will have a bit of trouble raising money because it can't do so the same way that other businesses can. My view is that it is not a core function of Queensland Health and that pairing a bicycle sales shop with perhaps food/drink as well would see it improve.

[HappyTrainGuy]

The reason why the cycle centre is having so much difficulty is because it is run by Queensland Health.
Privatise it.

The documents reveal the hospital-operated facility, which was built by the previous government for $8 million in 2009, generated losses of more than $131,000 in 20010-11 and $75,000 the following year.

$8 Million dollars for a cycling hut. As much as I like cycling I don't think it should cost $8 million to build. A cost that high suggests that someone didn't run the numbers and the decision to design and build it was under political control rather than economic control (investors would have worked out how large the facility could be vs the amount of money that went into building it vs how much they stood to potentially lose/gain). The second issue is that business can borrow to grow their operations, something like this public cycle centre can't do that easily - it would have to lobby gov't for more funds, and we know that's an effort in itself, more effort than say, walking into a bank and asking for a business loan. Private financing expansion/promotion would allow this business to grow.

Losses are a signal that the facility is not being run the right way. Sustained losses will see the operation go bankrupt and this process (which I assure you is normal) will allow the facilities to be put under new (and hopefully more competent) management without the bigger overheads (as the loss will be worn by the seller in the transaction).

Losses and bankruptcy are not a failure of the market. They are the market working and are essential to removing bad management and replacing it with new management.

I'd like to see it stay in the hands of the public rather than potentially see prices increase. A workmate that uses it says that its the best cycling facility Brisbane (way better than the BCC provided facility which is privately run and only open between certain hours during the week only IIRC) if not in the whole of SEQ. Its open 24/7 (pretty sure he said its staffed in the mornings), CCTV fitted through out the whole facility, multiple swipe card access doors, lockers, lots of showers, dry cleaning/ironing facilities, an area to leave your clothes to air out/dry instead of cramming them into your locker, spares, equipment to service your bike etc but its predominantly aimed at those that work at the hospital.

There aren't any CityCycle stations there are there? If there were some there and there were proper bikeways to the City via the ICB bikeway or access to the Valley I wonder if that would see more use of the CityCycle bikes as its not then limited to what is basically the CBD and along the river.

[ozbob]

The Guardian --> Australians are getting off their bikes, new research shows

[ozbob]

Street Films --> Bicycle Anecdotes From Amsterdam

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Cycling booms south of the river

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> MP wants 'deathtrap' roads made safer for cyclists

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Death spike: why cyclists are dying twice as fast on our roads

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> The bike helmet that's invisible

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland cyclists to get 1m clearance on roads, permission to ride without helmets under proposed laws

[ozbob]

 Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Friday, November 29, 2013

Committee recommends cycling law overhaul

An overhaul of Queensland cycling rules will include a safe distance provision and increased penalties for breaking road rules, as the Newman Government delivers better planning for safer roads.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said many of the 68 recommendations put forward by the Transport, Housing and Local Government committee would directly lead to safer road conditions for Queensland cyclists.

"This is the first major examination of cycling laws in more than two decades and I thank the committee for its efforts in travelling across the state and consulting widely with the community," Mr Emerson said.

"I will take the next few months to consider the full report but I will be supporting recommendation 8, or the so-called one-metre rule.

"This will mean that motorists must maintain a minimum distance of one metre when passing a cyclist in a 60kph or less zone, and 1.5 metres when travelling above 60.

"This rule was heavily supported by the cycling community and I'm prepared to conduct a two-year trial to test its practical implementation.

"I'll also support recommendation 31 – bringing fines for cyclists into line with those imposed on motorists. For example, currently the fine for entering a level crossing with a train approaching is $110 for cyclists and $330 for motorists."

In June the committee was asked to look at a number of cycling laws, including:

    short and long term trends in bicycle injuries and fatalities involving motor vehicles
    evaluation, considering factors such as effectiveness, enforceability and impacts on other road users of existing and any other alternative road rules, such as the 1m rule, which govern interaction between cyclists and other road users
    current penalties and sanctions, including where there are differential fine rates for cyclists compared to other road users
    the potential benefits and impacts of bicycle registration

Mr Emerson opposed the committee's suggestion (recommendation 15) to remove the need for helmets in 60kph and less speed zones and on bike paths.

"I've put a lot of thought into this issue since it was first raised six months ago and I'm yet to be convinced of its merit," he said.

"Personally I'm a big believer in the benefits of helmets and I believe the evidence shows helmets reduce the risk of serious injury.

"I note that many of the recommendations address issues with education and the design of cycling infrastructure.

"I'm also pleased that many of these recommendations are designed to reduce the tension that can exist between cyclists and motorists on roads."

The full report is available at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2013/5413T4163.pdf

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Bike path 'missing link' gets go-ahead

It's just a 700 metre stretch of pathway but a soon-to-be constructed ''missing link'' has prompted celebrations among Brisbane's northside cycling community.

Northside cyclists have long believed themselves to be the poor cousins of their southside counterparts when it has come to investment in cycling infrastructure, with no continuous off road path to take them into the CBD.

So the news that stage 1A of the north Brisbane bikeway went out to tender earlier this month has been greeted with joy.

The path will run behind the RNA showgrounds and link O'Connell Terrace in Bowen Hills with an existing path that runs beside Victoria Park Golf Course.
Advertisement

If all goes according to plan, the project will be complete in early 2015, according to state Member for Brisbane Central, Robert Cavallucci.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bike-path-missing-link-gets-goahead-20140116-30xsq.html

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Brisbane cyclists call for parking to be replaced with a bikeway at Toowong

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> New incentive scheme to encourage Brisbane cyclists

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'Risk adverse' Brisbane women avoiding cycling

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> This is why bike lanes are working

[ozbob]

Grist --> France surrenders to practicality, pays people to bike

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Helmets, rego and the metre law

[newbris]

"Hangzhou's bike sharing system shows how public bicycle systems will become an important part of public transportation systems in cities around the world."

I think adult helmet choice is a vital ingredient in successfully integrating bicycles into a public transport system as they demonstrate in this city...normal clothes, no helmet, slow pace...great for those short connecting trips...

See: http://vimeo.com/24241296

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> The benefits of bicycling in Brisbane

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Let's settle this: Should cyclists have to be registered to use public roads?

[Jonno]

We seriously need to move past this debate and onto the provision of separated bike lanes which have shown to reduce accidents by 90% and increase cycling significant especially by women and kids

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Police search for cranky cyclist

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Path upgrades needed to boost female cyclist numbers