Improving urban bicycle transportation in NSW

[mikesbytes]

BIKESydney and BIKEast’s response to the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan discussion paper

http://bikesydney.org/new10/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/BIKESydneyandBIKEast_web.pdf

[g-boaf]

If I may quote page 22 of the document:

There is currently poor access for cyclists to many
stations. A NSW Transport Masterplan should aim to
implement and improve a Cycle ‘n’ Ride system by:
• providing coherent and consistent connections with
bicycle network routes within the vicinity of each station;
• ensuring all adjacent major arterial roads (60km/h
speed limit and above) provide a shared footpath
route alternative;
• providing smooth transitions from off-road paths to
on-road lanes;
• ensuring routes are well lit, so as to improve levels of
usage and personal safety;
• ensuring routes are consistently and thoroughly sign
posted;

These are very good points. And to expand it, all major arterial roads could provide a shared path alternative. This would pretty much cover the cycling needs of those cyclists (or bike riders for those people who consider "cyclist" an offensive term) who don't like to be on the road with fast moving traffic. Or, the veloways suggested later on.

Veloways are a nice proposal too and we already have some. Abbotsbury in Western Sydney region through to Homebush provides for the cyclist who doesn't wish to use the road just about complete off-road cycling on pretty decent shared-paths, most of them wide enough to allow good average speeds. These would link up pretty well with the proposals on Figure 15 page 23. Yes, these paths that the document seems to refer to in a sour-grapes manner might actually be useful after all.

[Comedian]

Let's hope some changes come from it.

[mikesbytes]

Its a well written document

[mich rolling]

Yes, an excellent document. A model for many professional road/transport planning departments (planning officers - copy this to you manager and to the Director Generals).
Interesting examples of simple failures in bicycle networks
- such as getting to the International Airport from the cycleway over a six lane freeway
- stroke of genius putting the Sydney Harbour Bridge steps embarrassment on the cover

Love the proposed Veloway system - not only direct but logical and easy to 'read' as a user. The Paramatta spine had better be two road lanes wide to allow for overtaking and high traffic density otherwise the builders will be back redoing it in ten years as per the Coronation Bikeway in Brisbane. Brisbane's bicycle network is also nearly invisible unless you know it is there (stop spending on cyclists, I never see any so they don't exist) and poor design from a personal safety overview point.

Perth's locked/swipecard bikesheds at major busstops and most rail stations are great, until you get to the other end and you don't have a bike for the two km hike to the office. Bike share can work in the CBD but at are unlikely to get to suburban industrial parks and office campuses. Perth needs to allow a user to access two sheds (one at each end of the commute).

Bikeways can also be multipurposed such as the seawall protecting the Kwinana Freeway in Perth viewtopic.php?f=18&t=42874&start=200#p887430

Well done.

Mich

[mikesbytes]

I know how to get to the International Airport, on foot or bike without crossing a busy road. However its not documented or signposted, so if you don't know, then your got no chance.

I cross the Harbour Bridge often and I'm amazed at the number of riders who use the bridge, because the roads on the lower north shore are real crap. A connecting bike path would make a huge difference, probably enough to cause bicycle congestion on the Harbour Bridge itself.

[g-boaf]

I know how to get to the International Airport, on foot or bike without crossing a busy road. However its not documented or signposted, so if you don't know, then your got no chance.

I cross the Harbour Bridge often and I'm amazed at the number of riders who use the bridge, because the roads on the lower north shore are real crap. A connecting bike path would make a huge difference, probably enough to cause bicycle congestion on the Harbour Bridge itself.

That's underneath Qantas Drive isn't it, you do a u-turn and underneath the roadway? I know it from walking across there to avoid paying for parking at the international terminal.

Love the proposed Veloway system - not only direct but logical and easy to 'read' as a user. The Paramatta spine had better be two road lanes wide to allow for overtaking and high traffic density otherwise the builders will be back redoing it in ten years as per the Coronation Bikeway in Brisbane. Brisbane's bicycle network is also nearly invisible unless you know it is there (stop spending on cyclists, I never see any so they don't exist) and poor design from a personal safety overview point.

If the veloways ever get built, that's a good comment. The Blacktown to Parramatta to CBD portion will get heaps of traffic - especially given it links directly with the CBD. It's probably the major portion that needs to be built first, and badly. Build that, and I'll ride my bike every day to work and back instead of spending $1640 per year on a train ticket. If heaps of people do that, it might reduce the passenger load on the Western train line - which at peak-hour is over-crowded by normal and reasonable standards.

Political leaders have traditionally been
self-styled road traffic experts who have been remarkably
sensitive to the opinions of the tabloid media. This
situation has contributed to the degradation of the urban
cycling environment and a lack of respect in all road users.

This is how politicians and political parties remain in Government. You upset The Daily Telegraph at your peril. That's the problem of our media. Power is too concentrated in only a few hands. The media enquiry in Britain was a good example of how things went wrong, and it seems quite similar here too - when you consider media/politics and the relationship between those two.

[mikesbytes]

That's underneath Qantas Drive isn't it, you do a u-turn and underneath the roadway? I know it from walking across there to avoid paying for parking at the international terminal.

To my knowledge there is only one realistic route, so I think we are talking the same route. You can also park unrestricted in Tempe reserve and walk across the bike bridge to QANTAS drive bike path and then under as you describe