On the Bicycles

[ozbob]

Media Release
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

New bikeway benefits cyclists

Families and cycling commuters will benefit from a $2 million Queensland Government boost to a new cycle path ensuring a safer, more direct connection between the Brisbane CBD and the northern suburbs.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson announced Doval Constructions would deliver Stage 1A – Section 1 of the North Brisbane Bikeway.

"We have a strong plan to invest in cycle infrastructure delivering a safe, more direct and connected route for recreational cyclists enjoying a day out with their family at the local park, to more regular riders commuting to work," Mr Emerson said.

"This section of the bikeway fills in a 500 metre missing link between Gilchrist Avenue at Victoria Park, Herston to the RNA showground's Gate 6 at Bowen Hills.

"We are getting on with the job of completing missing cycle links left by Labor all over Brisbane.

"In addition to the North Brisbane Bikeway, design work is underway on a Moggill Road overpass and planning is continuing for the remaining section of Veloway 1 through Holland Park and Stones Corner."

Mr Emerson said works were expected to start soon and be completed by mid-2015.

Member for Brisbane Central Robert Cavallucci said once complete, the North Brisbane Bikeway would mean cyclists can travel off-road from Brisbane CBD to Chermside.

"We know more people are encouraged to 'get on their bike' and ride on cycle paths because they feel safer," Mr Cavallucci said.

"Cyclists are already enjoying the benefits of the finished bikeway section near Campbell Street that was opened in January this year.

"This next section will mean cyclists will be able to travel safely under Bowen Bridge Road avoiding three sets of lights and six lanes of traffic.

"Once the entire bikeway is complete we expect up to 5000 cyclists per day will make use of this route."

Local Councillor Vicki Howard (Central Ward) said the new bikeway link would be a great benefit to residents, cyclists and pedestrians and would complement Council's $120 million investment in better bikeways for Brisbane.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Ben Wilson said this was brilliant news for Brisbane cyclists.

"We welcome the government's investment in much-needed cycle infrastructure," Mr Wilson said.

"Having off-road, direct cycle paths will help encourage more people to take up cycling."

As well as new cycling infrastructure the Queensland Government's two-year trial of the one-metre rule continues, promoting safer interaction between motorists and cyclists.

[ENDS] 7 September 2014

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> One dead after South Brisbane crash

R.I.P.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Cyclist death prompts calls for Gabba to Goodwill Bridge bike lane

[dancingmongoose]

VicRoads Could Approve New Rule For Cyclists To Run Red Lights -> http://www.businessinsider.com.au/vicroads-could-approve-new-rule-for-cyclists-to-run-red-lights-2014-9

What stupidity is this?

[newbris]

Reminds me of this: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-city-council-to-allow-drivers-to-turn-left-at-red-light-at-50-intersections/story-fnihsrf2-1226959157053

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Trucks 'wheels of mass destruction' to cyclists

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> VicRoads rejects suggestions of radical road cycling law changes

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Southside roads set for upgrade but cycle groups want more

[ozbob]

Ride to work day --> https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/rtw/

[ozbob]

For interest ..

Slate --> Cyclists Who Hate Hills, Meet Norway's Bike Escalator

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> What the 'smart hat' tells us about attitudes towards cycling

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Cyclists fear motorist backlash over new road rules

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> New cycling laws could put lives in danger: Club president

[ozbob]

Twitter

Classic Pics ‏@classicepics

The Huffy Radio Bike, 1955

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Brisbane man sick of racing cyclists who have no respect for pedestrians

[brissypete]

As a regular pedestrian on the bicentennial i am not surprised at all by above article.  A physical divider between pedestrian and bike paths the full length would be good.

[newbris]

As a regular pedestrian on the bicentennial i am not surprised at all by above article.  A physical divider between pedestrian and bike paths the full length would be good.

Yes there is some idiots on that shared path even if most are fine. Hopefully when the works are finished down the Land St end things will improve somewhat. I presume these same guys would be idiots when they drive as well. Some people are just rude 

[ozbob]

Twitter

Peter Doherty ‏@PeterDoherty7 6 minutes ago

Video: Help find a driver who hit a Brisbane cyclist and fled the scene
@ErinEdwards7 reports https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/26601715/ ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 18 reasons why registering bicycles is a bad idea

[SurfRail]

^ Nearly all of the anti-comments completely fail to be cognisant of how the article already refutes their claims.

[newbris]

^ Nearly all of the anti-comments completely fail to be cognisant of how the article already refutes their claims.

The article could tell them it would bankrupt the city and they would still be bleating away down below...#closedminds

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> 'Look bike' stickers set to adorn Melbourne taxis in bid to reduce cyclist doorings

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> The safety measure some cyclists aren't buying

[ozbob]

Mount Ommaney bus station has a secure bicycle storage facility.  No bicycles seen around 11am  on the 22nd April 2015





Photographs R Dow 22nd April 2015

[#Metro]

Unhinge the door should solve the problem. There are probably a few empties around the network.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Cyclists forced to walk at Brisbane's court precinct

[pandmaster]

I do not understand. They were not breaking any laws. It reminds me of the police giving me a talking to for travelling in the right lane in an 80 zone: not violating any laws, just trying to wave a big stick.

[Mozz]

I commute most days, a round trip of around 30km and I used to work in the courts precinct so have some experience of this area. There are a number of cyclists who do zip through this area, which is in the middle of the Kurilpa bridge and bike lanes on Tank Street and Roma Street and the roadway entry to the Roma Street Parklands. Pedestrians are often standing around or walking in all sorts of directions in the area outside of the Supreme and District court front doors and the Coffee Club, while most bikes are taking a direct route through the area from one side to the other... but all it takes is a ding of the bell and an understanding that the pedestrian not the cyclist has right of way... a bit of patience and understanding on all sides and all will be good :-)

Similarly there are often complaints from pedestrians about "speeding" bikes on the bicentennial bikeway (corro drive) ... well I understand there is no speed limit although I do subscribe that trying to maintain or achieve 40 -50pkh on the shared pedestrian/cycle parts is less than safe for both parties... but Police do come down and while they don't write tickets, they do stop bikes, ask questions, check to see if the bike has a bell, or if dark, proper lights etc etc ... I suspect that a similar approach is being made by the Police to complaints of cyclists riding in a manner which could be dangerous to pedestrians at the courts precinct.

[newbris]

I do not understand. They were not breaking any laws. It reminds me of the police giving me a talking to for travelling in the right lane in an 80 zone: not violating any laws, just trying to wave a big stick.

It is quite strange. They turn up one day in force and make people walk, and then don't show up again. There are no signs saying not to use it, and it is the natural path between the two main cycling paths, and is even mentioned in govt docs as part of the cycling link. Very odd.

The equivalent of making everyone pull over and get out of their car on a main road route and tell them not to use it for one day only...

I see far fewer issues here than many other spots (I ride 2 hours every day M to F). I wish the velo police would concentrate on policing the conflict hotspots rather than issue women slowly riding flower bikes along pathways helmet violations...

[ozbob]

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

New section of North Brisbane Bikeway officially open for business

Cyclists and pedestrians will benefit from the newly completed first section of the North Brisbane Bikeway at Herston, which was officially opened today.

Minister for Mains Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said the $2 million project would be an asset for active travellers on Brisbane's north side.

"This section of the bikeway offers a path for cyclists between Gilchrist Avenue at Victoria Park, Herston and the RNA showground's Gate 6 at Bowen Hills," Mr Bailey said.

"A pedestrian path linking to Gilchrist Avenue will create a safe crossing under the busy Bowen Bridge Road and alongside the RNA Showgrounds to Bowen Park.

Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace said the North Brisbane Bikeway would be a popular route for cyclists and pedestrians travelling into and out of the CBD.

"Separating the bikeway from the roadway will help ease congestion along this busy stretch of road."

Ms Grace said the newly-completed section is one of a number of new sections that would be rolled out along the North Brisbane Bikeway.

"The next section of the bikeway through Bowen Park, is currently in the detailed design stage, along with the section of the bikeway from Federation Street to Somerset Street in Windsor.

Construction of these sections is expected to be completed by mid-2016.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane City Council to announce 12-month trial of a dedicated peak-hour bicycle lane on Annerley Road

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes -->Cyclist's widow calls for inner city truck ban

[dancingmongoose]

Brisbanetimes -->Cyclist's widow calls for inner city truck ban

You can tell this was not thought through in the slightest

[Mozz]

Brisbanetimes -->Cyclist's widow calls for inner city truck ban

You can tell this was not thought through in the slightest

Can I suggest that you reconsider this post, while positive public transport outcomes are the objective of RBOT, it by no means the only prism with which we as humans, should perceive the world.

The poor woman in this instance has lost a husband and her children their father, due to a heavy vehicle which wasn't and shouldn't have been on that road when it toppled over after hitting a rail bridge and killing him, hopefully instantly. 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Brisbanetimes -->Cyclist's widow calls for inner city truck ban

You can tell this was not thought through in the slightest

Can I suggest that you reconsider this post, while positive public transport outcomes are the objective of RBOT, it by no means the only prism with which we as humans, should perceive the world.

The poor woman in this instance has lost a husband and her children their father, due to a heavy vehicle which wasn't and shouldn't have been on that road when it toppled over after hitting a rail bridge and killing him, hopefully instantly.

There are certain roads that trucks (especially those with dog trailers) should be banned from using or at least have time restrictions in place (eg MBRC has time restrictions on the trucks that use the Boral plant that's on the way to Dayboro). Geebung/Virginia/Northgate/Nundah are examples of where restrictions should be placed on trucks (I think there might be but I suspect that it's moreso just a result of knock off times in the area). CRR should really make use out of the railway line when it comes to removing all that spoil rather than having trucks running around 24/7.

[Jonno]

One thing that is never discussed is the role of our very wide lanes on truck/vehicle speeds.  A slow moving truck is far less dangerous than one that feels it is ok to barrel 10+ tonnes around at 60km/hr. 

[dancingmongoose]

Can I suggest that you reconsider this post, while positive public transport outcomes are the objective of RBOT, it by no means the only prism with which we as humans, should perceive the world.

You can ask all you like, but that's not going to happen, because it is the truth.

I'm not justifying the truck driver here, yes he did the wrong thing, yes he should not have been there, yes he should be held accountable, but I'm absolutely sick to death of blanket statements villainizing truck drivers, there are just as many if not more dickhead car drivers out there but you don't hear calls for car bans every time someone gets hit by a car. Just because you are grieving doesn't give you an excuse not to think before you speak, especially to the media.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Can I suggest that you reconsider this post, while positive public transport outcomes are the objective of RBOT, it by no means the only prism with which we as humans, should perceive the world.

You can ask all you like, but that's not going to happen, because it is the truth.

I'm not justifying the truck driver here, yes he did the wrong thing, yes he should not have been there, yes he should be held accountable, but I'm absolutely sick to death of blanket statements villainizing truck drivers, there are just as many if not more dickhead car drivers out there but you don't hear calls for car bans every time someone gets hit by a car. Just because you are grieving doesn't give you an excuse not to think before you speak, especially to the media.

'Click bait' at its finest. The headline was Trucks should be banned. But she said

"I would like to see heavy road vehicles diverted away from that area, it's just not the place for them,"
"We need trucks to move things around but that particular road and that spot, especially up the top end near the hospitals, it's just not the place for them."

I quite frankly agree with her comments.

[James]

The crash was caused by an overheight truck which clipped the top of the bridge and subsequently toppled over on to the cyclist. IMO it is a case of a) Wrong place, wrong time, and b) An ignorant truck driver. Had the cyclist either been in front or behind the truck, or had the truck driver taken the high vehicles detour, there wouldn't have been a problem. Short of rounding up and having a killing of the stupid (grossly impractical for many obvious reasons), you aren't going to stop crashes like this. Fact of life.

The truck driver was not meant to be driving on that section of road due to the height of his vehicle. He knew that, and there are already restrictions in place to prevent that. I'm not sure why it requires any further action.

[newbris]

I don't see a request for further restrictions on trucks as an attack on truck drivers. The vehicle is not the driver. Trucks obviously have issues that smaller vehicles don't when sharing the road with more vulnerable road users.

Other cities have totally restricted or severely restricted large truck use in their inner city. Not sure if we should do the same but a call to consider a review seems a totally normal request to me. From memory there has been a disproportionate truck on cyclist death rate in the last few years.