Commonwealth Bridge - speed limit signs?

[cp123]

Between yesterday morning and this morning, CW bridge has been redecorated with a number of pedestrian and bike stencils. (Well, the western side has, I haven't ridden on the eastern side yet). These are at the beginning and end of the bridge and in a couple of places up top. There is also 10 km written.

Now I'm never going to ride over the bridge at a stupid speed if there's other bikes or pedestrians anywhere in sight - and I assume most smart people won't either.

I guess I'm not really happy with the 10 km sign though. It doesn't say speed limit of 10 km per hour so maybe its an "advisory" sign suggesting people go at that speed. Either way, 10 kmph is pretty slow. I think there has been one significant incident on the bridge in the last 30 or so years that i've been riding - and that was where 2 riders collided about 12 months ago piffing one onto the road.

However, it also shows that pedestrians must keep left too.

Maybe because I'm not an aggressive rider or hoon, but i've been going over the bridge most days of the week for a hell of a lot of years and haven't managed to hit, injure or kill anyone yet. Ride sensibly, ride to the conditions and expect the unexpected and everyone should be fine. I don't honestly expect i'll be riding under 10 kmph and neither will 99% of other riders.

Is it overkill?

[nescius]

I didn't notice any signs on the eastern side when I crossed over it this morning.

10kmh seems unnecessarily slow, I've certainly never had a problem at a nice easy 20kmh and I can't see why I couldn't go quicker if it's clear. I can't think of any other shared path that has a speed limit imposed on it, and I would be surprised if they could enforce it.

It sounds like overkill to me, I didn't think there was a problem as most people seem to do the right thing. I wonder if a specific incident prompted it, or if someone made a complaint?

[nescius]

In this article there is mention of the western side becoming a dismount zone while waiting for the money to become available to raise the railing to a safer height.

National Capital Authority chief executive Gary Rake has confirmed the railing on the western footpath of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge needs to be raised at a cost of $3 million but the money won't be available within its rolling capital work budget until 2015-16.

If the situation is judged to be too dangerous in the meantime, the western footpath of the bridge could be changed to a demount zone – only to be used by pedestrians and people walking their bikes. The eastern footpath of the bridge has a higher railing.

[cp123]

that's what i mean - I usually ride over it at a safe speed - whatever that safe speed is. Sometimes its close to 9 pm with no-one else in sight and i can wind it up a bit, other times its in peak hours and you have to creep along at 10 kmph behind multiple groups of 4 abreast pedestrians. Maybe they'll still do the eastern side or maybe its because of the previous collision on the western side that has prompted this.

I always do slow towards either end though in case a pedestrian pops up and out of the entrances or stairs.

[cp123]

or this - cut and pasted from a PP newsletter I got the other day...



Have your say on Kings and Commonwealth Avenues

The National Capital Authority is looking at the management and renewal of Kings and Commonwealth Avenues. It covers the full length of these avenues, not just the bridges. Access for people who ride bicycles is one issue being considered. Pedal Power is preparing a submission. To make your individual submission in support of improved facilities to get more people cycling, see http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/havey ... nsultation" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Submissions close on 28 June.

[Tornado]

I wonder if a specific incident prompted it, or if someone made a complaint?

Or has some tool has decided to make their own stencil and create an un-official limit. Harold Scruby would love it!

[jcjordan]

Fine make it a demountable zone and I will ride on the road and block traffic.

Might have to do that now that they have made it 10am.

Also for everyone's knowledge the Bike must exit signs have no legal backing under both the Australian or ACT road rules, as best I can figure they are actually illegal, so you don't have to worry when you ignore them.

[cp123]

Within the last 6 months or so, a sign went up on the southern end of the northbound lane saying "careful low guard rail ahead" or something to that effect. The trouble is that I think 80% of people crossing the bridge (and certainly the majority of people on bikes) go up curly on ramp to the bridge from the bike path below. However, the low guard rail sign is about 50 metres further south of the bike path entrance (if that makes sense). So people walking or riding north from Albert Hall would see the sign, but nobody using the main bike on ramp would.

[m@]

Is the 10Km stenciled on the path or a separate sign?

The Pedal Power bulletin seems to indicate that the speed limit is only temporary while line markings etc are being painted:

Commonwealth Avenue Bridge West Shared Pathway works update
Following the message in the last e-bulletin about works to install additional safety signage and line markings on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge west, the NCA have updated us that some of the line marking and other work has been delayed due to the wet weather. They will still be working in the area for about another week. Whilst the work is underaway the NCA have advised us that the speed limit for this path network is 10 kmph. For further information please contact the NCA Estate Management Unit on 6271 2888.

[Ross]

I'm confused. Which is the western side and which is the eastern side? I go by northbound or southbound.

[nescius]

I'm confused. Which is the western side and which is the eastern side? I go by northbound or southbound.

The western side is northbound and the eastern side is southbound

[cp123]

I'm confused. Which is the western side and which is the eastern side? I go by northbound or southbound.

but you can ride a bike southbound on the northbound lane... that's why i said western side.


How about Museum side and central basin of the lake sides then? lol

[mrgolf]

I saw those stencils yesterday.I ride the road a fair bit anyway. I would much rather ride the road than get off or ride at 10kmh. Thats absurd. This is not going to end well.

[cbrchrisf]

One of my mates ran across the bridge at 18km/ph the other day....

[skull]

those sort of speed limits are advisory anyway and not enforceable.

[Cruiserman]

As the signs say 10km, I just assumed that I was riding much quicker as it did not take very long to cover that marked 10km

As for the supposed speed limit it is simply a matter of common sense (yeah I know not so common and not so sensible) if there is a lot of traffic take it a bit easier after all it is not very far across the bridge - despite the signs indicating 10km, - God help us all when the do gooders get the place fully nannied.

[jcjordan]

I have been making a point to ride on the road every time regardless of traffic. When one driver asked why and I explained to to her even she agreed it was stupid, but still told me that I should get off the road.

[lobstermash]

Is there any update on this? My commute's just changed from Woden to Civic and this speed limit is ridiculous. Also the bridge over Parkes Way onto Allara St is marked dismount, which isn't going to happen in road bike shoes... You'd think the ACT Government would have better ways to quantify the number of cyclists using these paths than to make them complain about stupid restrictions...

[cp123]

I go over CW bridge pretty much every day. Nothing has changed. The smart people take their time, respect other riders/walkers and don't try to do pushy or stupid overtakes. And then there are some that can't wait a second or more and don't want to be held up and continue to fang along at 30 kmph while trying to pass a walker when there's an oncoming walker 10 feet away... But thankfully they're the large minority. Just ride safely and you'll be fine.


Re the footbridge into Allara street - that is bloody stupid.