See the Port by Bike! A new page at the PortBUG’s web site will provide a practical & illustrated guide to bike routes within the Council area – where they connect to, how to join & use them, things to watch out for & what to see & experience along the way. We hope to provide simple maps, click-through pdf guides and even short videos so you can really get a feel for what each route has to offer. If you have a good idea for a picture or video route guide (and maybe want to have a go at making one) please let us know. Here’s a starter from Dave Case…

Northern Connector Shared Use Path: The new Northern Connector will provide a 16km, three metre wide shared-use path connecting the existing Northern Expressway shared-used path to the cycle/pedestrian facilities along South Road Superway. It will be to the East of the new road separating pedestrian and cycling activities from the motorway. Detailed design will be undertaken by the contractor when appointed. The PortBUG has registered as a key stakeholder in the planning process and we’ll be keen to see benefits for residents in the PA/E Council Area as well as for those who may like to visit us – particularly if the new path can connect to the proposed East-West Connector outlined in the new PA/Enfield Bicycle Strategy.

BUG Meets with the CEO: Later this week the PortBUG will meet with Mark Withers, CEO of Port Adelaide/Enfield Council. We want to talk to Mark about the Port’s fantastic potential to become Adelaide’s ‘Active Mobility-Central’, the implementation of the new PA/E Bicycle Strategy over the next few years & the role of the PortBUG as a ‘community voice’ in this development. If you are not already ‘riding with the BUG’ you can link here to add your own voice & stay in touch.

…until next time…

Rosewater Residents: At its meeting on 12th May 2015, PA/E Council resolved that a Local Area Traffic Management Scheme (LATM) be undertaken for Rosewater north of Grand Junction Road. The primary study area will be the northern side of Grand Junction Road, Rosewater and the secondary study area is the adjacent industrial land south of Bedford Street, as the area and any future use needs to be considered. A public meeting has been organised with residents of the area and of Rosewater:

When: Wednesday 23rd March 2016 at 7:00 pm

Where: The Junction Community Centre (2A May Terrace, Ottoway).

The meeting will inform the residents of Rosewater of the study area, the process which is to be undertaken and provide them with an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding traffic, parking and related issues. A letter introducing the LATM (including a map) and a residents questionnaire can be found here.

Discussion with PA/E Council officers has confirmed that the needs of bicycle users and Active Transport generally (walking, skating, taking the train/bus or using a wheelchair or mobility aid) are all integral elements in developing a LATM! Indeed, the area to be covered includes the railway reserve areas where the Council has proposed an ‘East-West Connector’ Bikeway, connecting residents of Rosewater and Ottoway to the Port CBD (see LH area below)!

Gillman East-West Connector Pathway through Rosewater & Ottoway.

Rosewater residents are all encouraged to come along to the meeting and have their say! Ward Councillors Cr. Claire Boan and Cr. Ray Guscott also plan to attend. If you would like further information regarding the Rosewater LATM Scheme, please contact Hye-Young Ghang, Council’s Traffic Engineer who is overseeing the project on 8405 6825 or via email hyeyoung.ghang@portenf.sa.gov.au.

You may have recently attended BicycleSA’s Be Safe Be Seen presentation hosted by PortBUG and Port Adelaide/Enfield Council. BicycleSA are very keen to have your feedback! What you thought of the seminar and what insights and benefits you may have taken home. This information will assist BicycleSA with continued funding for the presentations. So, if you have feedback please email Jess at BicycleSA.

Early April Fools… New loading zone appears on Semaphore Road! (Pic: Dave Case).

1. FREE ‘Be Safe Be Seen’ Presentation:  PortBUG and the Port Adelaide/Enfield Council are hosting a free Be Seen Be Safe cycling-safety presentation on Wednesday 16^th March at the PA/E Town Hall in Nile Street, Port Adelaide. The presentation is just 30 mins and registered participants will receive a free cycling safety ‘gift pack’ of high-vis items & equipment. To register just email our BUG Secretary at portadbug@gmail.com. Remember, no registration, no safety pack!

Removal of bridge side panels.

2. Birkenhead Bridge Closure:  Observant readers may have noticed that for the past 2 weeks circumstances for pedestrians, bicycle users, kids on scooters and those using wheel chairs & mobility devices on the Bridge’s western shared use path have changed radically and become chaotic!

The west-side pathway has been fenced off at each end 24/7, to facilitate removal, repainting and repair of the decaying fencing, rails and lighting and other fixtures on the western side. This closure has had a major impact on residents on both sides of the river who depend on Active Transport facilities to travel to and from school and work or into the Port CBD’s shopping and service precinct.

A parent & 2 small school-bound children forced to negotiate the roadway on their scooters!

The BUG has already seen bike riders, children on scooters and wheelchair and mobility device users either turn back when they encounter the barriers, or take their lives in their hands by attempting to cross to or from the narrow eastern-side footpath, across the northern Bridge ramp to the Harbour Loop route at Jenkins St!

Closure confronting bicycle users turning right from Jenkins Street onto the Bridge pathway…

This unannounced closure of the Harbour Loop bikeway over the Bridge (also part of the Outer Harbour Greenway) has significantly raised the levels of hazard & difficulty for vulnerable road users needing to cross the Port River. Many bicycle users, including those with children have turned back at this point. Wheelchair & mobility device users have been crossing the road behind the fence & proceeding over the bridge’s roadway!

Closure & ‘redirection’ at the southern end.

DPTI & the contractors have erected signs suggesting that pedestrians cross to the east-side footpath and bicycle users take to the roadway.

Unfortunately there appears to have been no thought given to ensuring continuity with the Harbour Loop pathway or the Greenway for those Bridge users who cannot reasonably use the roadway or the narrow eastern footpath.

The Bridge’s narrow east-side path – it seems to be blocked too…

While the Harbour Loop pathway on the western side of the Bridge connects directly to Jenkin’s Street, the eastern pathway is almost completely disconnected from the rest of the Harbour Loop and Greenway.

For users of this eastern footpath to rejoin the Loop path or Greenway (see the green route below), they are forced to continue on along (see red below) some 150 metres of footpath to the cross roads at Semaphore Road and Elder Street. They then have to cross at the light-controlled pedestrian crossing and then travel an additional 300 or so metres along an almost completely unmade dirt kerbside reserve to the corner of Fletcher and Semaphore Roads where they can then rejoin the Loop Path and Greenway.

Green = the Bridge’s Harbour Loop & Greenway path. Red = the ‘alternative route’ for vulnerable pathway users!

To refer to this as a reasonable alternative provision is just plain silly, a point of view we have put to DPTI and for which there seems to be general agreement! We understand that DPTI are looking at possible interim solutions for pathway users, including maybe installing gateways on the western side that might be left open when work finishes each day or a temporary pedestrian crossing across the Bridge’s northern ramp to connect Jenkin’s Street to the eastern pathway (?). We have expressed our concerns & are are currently awaiting DPTI’s response.

FREE: Be Safe Be Seen – Bike SA presentation.

WHEN: Wednesday 16 March  –   6-6.30pm followed by tea/coffee.

WHERE: The Port Adelaide/Enfield Town Hall, Nile St, Port Adelaide.

WHAT: The Bike SA and Motor Accident Commission (MAC) Be Safe Be Seen presentation reveals the findings of NEW SA cycling casualty research, providing local, detailed information on where and how crashes most commonly occur, and how best to avoid them.

Free Cycling Safety Gift Pack!

Every attendee receives a free safety gift pack, containing: saddle bag, backpack cover, slap bands & free 3 month membership to Bike SA (Please note: these are strictly limited to those attending on the day).

Highly relevant to ALL levels of experience, including the most experienced cyclists and motorists, the presentation contains surprising and essential information for anyone using our roads.

Please register your interest by e-mailing portadbug@gmail.com (RSVP by Wed 9th March).

1. Port Adelaide/Enfield Bike Network: Detailed & ‘expandable’ pdf maps of the proposed PA/E Bike Network & its new initiatives are now available at the PortBUG website. The Plan has been endorsed by Council and can be seen here. The PortBUG has written to Council with recommendations for a ‘Year 1’ of the Plan’s implementation (for which a limited budget will be available).

2. Bicycle Safety – Old Port Road: The junction of Old Port Road & Port Road at Alberton has been a major concern for some years due to the complexity of traffic movements where the city-bound lanes merge & the lack of provision for safe bicycle use. This concern has grown with DPTI’s recent installation of bike lanes along the complete length of Old Port Road to further define its use as a bike route!

Turn left to avoid merging lanes.

At PortBUG’s recommendation, DPTI have now installed a ‘cut through’ bicycle access point between the city-bound lanes of Old Port & Port Roads. This will enable bicycle users to avoid the hazardous merging zone where the two roadways meet.

Cyclists can simply ‘exit-left’ & leave the Old Port Road lane, cross the median reserve via a short pathway & wait safely at a standing rail at the Port Road end for a break in traffic before crossing Port Road & joining the bike lane.

Clear sight-lines for all & a standing rail for bicycle users.

We’re quite pleased with this outcome. Sight-lines appear effective & both bicycle users and motorists have clear views of eachother. We have some concerns about the presence of commercial driveways immediately opposite the exit but feel this simply requires a normal level of attention from cyclists. PortBUG believes that this new facility is an excellent example of the ‘ground level’ sort of improvements that make a big difference for safer & more attractive every-day bicycle use!

3. Clark’s Cycles Close:  It’s the end of an era – Clark’s Cycles on Magill Road has closed after 38 years as one of Adelaide’s commuting bike specialists. ‘Clarky’ has been a well-known provider of sensible bikes at sensible prices with great back-up from his rather humble and sometimes slightly chaotic premises under the big green and yellow sign. Kevin was for many years Adelaide’s agent for the excellent & highly popular Shogun all-purpose bikes, & then for the full range of Gazelle ‘fully equipped’ European, retro-style and electric velos in later times. He was also well known for building many 16” & 20” wheels for PedalPrix racers over the years & for providing unusual-sized tyres, particularly from the excellent & near puncture-proof range of Schwalbe city and touring rubber. Although officially closed Kevin has lots of stock still for sale with some great deals (including some excellent Zefal pumps!) You can contact Clarks at 8332 3083. Kevin’s candid bike-advice & competent repair services will be missed by Adelaide’s ‘every-day’ bicycle users.

4. BUG Website Updates: Our web manager has embarked on redevelopment & enhancement of our PortBUG website as an up-to-date source of information:

• on the front page you’ll find our meeting times for 2016 as well as new phone apps for reporting road & bikeway problems & dangerous road behaviour.
• we have some new Bike Planning pages that will monitor & follow implementation of both local & state-wide bike plans.
• we’ll shortly have a more detailed graphic analysis of the key routes proposed in the new Port Adelaide/Enfield Bicycle Network.

The web site is a work in progress & is intended to act as a community resource for everyday bicycle use, making it easier and more convenient. If you have suggestions – please, let’s hear them!

Welcome to 2016!

1.  BUG Blog Annual Report: Provided by our host, WordPress, the PortBUG’s annual website report makes interesting reading. Over 2015 the blog was viewed about 3,900 people from 79 countries. Most visitors came from Australia. The United States (340) & Brazil (180) were not far behind, but we also had readers from China, Peru, Russia & many other countries! Your PortBUG web person is (very) slowly mastering the idea of a networked world – that is, integrating the blog and web site with Facebook, Twitter etc. Look for a more online in 2016!

2.  ‘Cycling Futures’:  BUG-friend Dr Jennifer Bonham, University of Adelaide has co-authored ‘Cycling Futures’, a summary of the state of cycling transport in Australia, where we’re heading & how to get there. Contributing authors explore insights generated locally and internationally on the past, present and future of cycling. Buy at the Adelaide Uni online store or download & read here.

3.      Bike Plan Priorities 2016:         Earlier this month the PA/E Council endorsed their new Bike Plan 2016-2020. To assist the Council to get off with a good start in implementing the Plan, the PortBUG has made several modest recommendations for priority priorities for 2016. We have nominated relatively small projects and works that we feel would make a significant difference to the Port’s existing bike network. You can read about these recommendations here – tell us what you think! One of the main recommendations has been to link up the:

• Semaphore Road Bikeway paths with…
• the Outer Harbour Greenway & Harbour Loop Paths and…
• the Mersey Road Bikeway running off the Nelson St/Victoria Rd Junction (see below).

Proposed new off-road bikeway linkages in Red!

…as we turn our backs on 2015 and set our wheels to the future, we wish all our friends, supporters & readers a…  

Happy New Year, 2016

from the PortBUG!

Last month’s blog pic with artist Ernest Zacharevic along for the ride. Click for more of Ernest’s work.

Epic Ride Completed – Semaphore, Tibet & Beyond: Local Semaphore resident Fin Walsh has returned from an epic bike adventure across SE Asia, riding from Hanoi in Vietnam all the way to India, Nepal and the Himalayas. With many, many adventures along the way! He’s written up his amazing trip from Hanoi to the Himalayas in tantalising detail . Check it out here.

A lost highway somewhere in Laos… Photo: F Walsh.

New Bike Plan for Port Adelaide: At it’s December meeting the Port Adelaide/Enfield Council ratified its new 2015-2020 Bike Plan. PortBUG has been working with the Council and its consultants on the plan for the past year or so. The final draft can be seen here – we’ll post the signed-off copy asap. The PortBUG has recommended several priorities for the Plan’s first year of implementation in 2016. We’ll list these asap at an updated Bike Plan page at our website. As well as the bike plan, the Council has also supported creation of a bike repair station on the foreshore at Semaphore and adjacent to the Coastal Way.

PortBUG meets with Bryan Ruhle (blue shirt) from CCS. Yes – they’re a happy lot!

PortBUG Meets with City of Charles Sturt: The PortBUG recently met with Bryan Ruhle, Traffic Engineer, City of Charles Sturt. In the temporary absence of a local bicycle user group within CCS, PortBUG has agreed to provide some consultative input to a number of bike-related initiatives CCS are undertaking, including 40km/h speed zones, a new draft bike plan and new bike infrastructure on the Greenway. Bryan also informed us that the unlit section of off-road path at St Clair, between Cheltenham Parade and Woodville Road, will shortly get new lighting courtesy of CCS. Hooray!

Future Cycling – Aukland Shows the Way: Aukland, New Zealand, has opened an incredible dedicated pink coloured raised bicycle freeway. Described as a ‘bike path with real Mana’ (that’s NZ for soul) the pathway circles around Aukland Harbour and then the CBD with numerous access points and some amazing Maori-inspired art work and motifs built into the surface. Check it out here. And watch the mind-blowing video of hundreds of bicycle users celebrating the path’s opening day. And the aerial photos! This is a great example of the imaginative thinking and initiative that so many car-dominated Australasian cities desperately need!

Best Wishes for Christmas, 

the New Year & the Holiday Season

from the PortBUG

‘Wheeled’ hazards on the Coastal Path…?

1.  Coastal Path Update: A section of the Coastal Way path adjacent to the Semaphore Palais has been closed to cycling for over 2 years due to OH&S concerns for staff and patrons. Planning contractors GHD have now contacted the PortBUG with a proposed design for a ‘bypass’ through the coastal dunes and around the Semaphore Palais pavilion (see below). GHD will be conducting a consultation process with stakeholders, including the PortBUG, over the next few weeks. We welcome your comments, feedback and suggestions to portadbug@gmail.com.

Proposed ‘Palais Bypass’ on the Coastal Way at Semaphore.

2.  New Bike Laws: SA has a new set of cycling laws aimed at reducing motor-traffic hazards and allowing more flexible bicycle use on footpaths. And perhaps for the first time in South Australia, DPTI has publicly stated what has been widely acknowledged by European governments for years – that “cyclists have less protection than motorists and are more likely to be injured if a crash happens, so they need adequate space when on the road.”

Proposed Greenway bypass route on Port Road.

3.  South Road Greenway Crossing: The PortBUG has written to Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan expressing dismay at the lack of ‘forward provision’ for a safe Greenway route through South Road’s Torrens-to-Torrens project site – either via a crossing at South Road or via the already proposed ‘bypass’ on Port Road (see right). Even though major works on the Torrens-to-Torrens project have already begun it appears that there are no plans for any bypass, and indeed we’re told that its planning may not even begin until the latter half of 2016! We have asked the Minister to address the safety issues faced by Greenway users as a matter of priority and will let you know the outcome.

4.  PA/E Bike Plan Priorities: The new draft PA/E Bike Plan now has a recommended Action Plan or set of priorities for bicycle infrastructure. We’re told that the plan and these recommendations will go to Council for approval at the December PA/E Council meeting. The PortBUG has discussed priorities for 2016 and 2017 with Council officers and we’ve now provided our short term recommendations to them in writing. Please have a look and let us know what you think.

5.  Plans for Lipson Street Bike Crossing: PA/E Council has been working on a design to carry the Outer Harbour Greenway through the Port’s waterfront precinct to the river crossing over the bridge. An essential part of this has been finding a way for bicycle-borne visitors, especially those unfamiliar with the Port, to safely proceed from the Railyards Pathway to the waterfront via Lipson Street, the major obstacle being the uncontrolled crossing at busy St Vincent’s St. Port Council have come up with a plan!

Proposed Greenway crossings at St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide.

The idea is that bicycle users will proceed North from Lipson St to a corner refuge on the left side of the Lipson/St Vincent’s Street junction (lower left of the picture above), and then proceed via a mid-road refuge to the narrowed entrance to Lipson Street North. Because this section of Lipson St will be one way, cyclists coming from the other direction will proceed to St Vincent’s Street via Timpson St (top right of picture), thence to Lipson by a right then left turn and a new section of bike lane.  That’s the theory anyway! The PortBUG welcomes your comments which we’ll pass on to the Port Council, or you can comment directly (to ‘attention: Shaun Dewaal’).

6.  New Bike Lanes on Old Port Road: Following completion of the ‘Waterproofing the West’ project the PortBUG wrote to DPTI and the Minister seeking installation of bicycle facilities on the newly rebuilt rOld Port Road. At the time we were told that the engineering of the new wetlands left no room for bike lanes. We have continued our lobbying and it now appears the situation has changed. DPTI recently completed installation of timed bike lanes on Old Port Road between the Frederick Road junction and the Y-junction with Port Road.

Median reserve bicycle access – Old Port to Port Road. This photo taken a few weeks ago before completion!

We have also sought safer provision for City-bound bicycle users at the ‘Y’ junction where Old Port joins up with Port Road. DPTI have constructed an oblique paved pathway from the left-hand kerb of Old Port Road through the median reserve to the right-hand kerb of Port Road. Preliminary use suggests that it may work quite well. A comment from one of our members suggests “I did… check the sight line for emerging on to Port Road, it is excellent. When I used it there were vehicles leaving an off street  car parking lot almost adjacent, so care is needed to be taken to ensure visibility and merging.” Your comments are welcome as we’d like to offer DPTI some feedback in the New Year.

Final Thought for 2016:

Crocodiles come to the Port’s Inner Harbour bike path.

Torrens-to-Torrens public discussions.

1. South Road Redevelopment: PortBUG members recently attended an Open Day held by the Torrens-to-Torrens (South Road redevelopment) Project. The BUG has made several submissions over the last 2 years to the project. We are pleased to report that virtually all of our recommendations have been taken up in the latest phase of planning:

• a continuous ‘straight’ ramps on both sides of the bicycle overpass over South Road

Continuous ramps on the bicycle overpass.

• a secure, signalized detour via Port Road for those using the Outer Harbour Greenway over the course of the project
• bike access across South Road at the Hawker/Hurtle Street crossing (part of the Bike Direct Network)

Bike-only access at the Hawker/Hurtle Street crossing.

• an additional shared-use footpath crossing over South Road adjacent to Cedar Avenue and the new St Clair shopping complex
• a brand new ‘Greenway’ route, paralleling South Road, starting at the new shopping complex at the Brickworks, travelling across the Torrens via a new bike/pedestrian bridge, thence along McDonald and Bertie Streets to Port Road and connecting to Queen Street, Croydon via a signalized crossing on Port Road.

The BUG has written again to the Project congratulating the team on these very positive planning outcomes, particularly the much improved bikeway overpass across South Road. We have raised quite a few queries regarding the finer details of these plans which remain unclear. We’ll relay any further information as it becomes available.

Vandalised lighting pole on the Rosewater Greenway path.

2. Cars on the Greenway: While DPTI has made considerable effort to exclude cars from the Outer Harbour Greenway adjacent to Lipson Street and the Aviation Museum, four-wheeled vandals have struck again a bit further along the pathway in the old Rosewater Railyards. BUG members have noted serious damage to a brand new lighting pole on the pathway. It’s obvious from the still fresh skid marks that the damage is very recent and stems from impact by a speeding vehicle, probably after going out of control on an adjacent asphalted area! The BUG has informed both Council and DPTI and we hope to hear of the light’s repair asap.

3. Cycling Priorities: The Port Adelaide/Enfield Council has asked the BUG to assist in identifying priorities for initial implementation of the Council’s new Bike Plan. In particular, the Council has a small amount of funding for 2015-16 to be spent on strategically important cycling projects. Beyond that, they will also need to identify annual priorities for funding submissions to the State Government for the Plan’s ongoing implementation. The BUG is developing a submission on appropriate short and longer-term priorities. Suggestions from the community would be most welcome! A copy of the Council’s draft set of priorities can be read here. Comments can be sent to portadbug@gmail.com.

Ride-in public toilets in Taiwan.

4. Every-Day Bike Heaven? Here’s an amazing bike blog to bring some joy and inspiration to our local bicycle life: http://ibikelondon.blogspot.nl/ Perhaps we need some of those ride-in public toilets!

Kai and child, Central Market in cold July. Kai had hired the Bakfiets for the day and wondered “why aren’t there more of these on Adelaide’s streets?” Good question!

1.  The Port’s Bicycle Development Priorities:  Port Adelaide/Enfield Council’s Kerry McConnell has written regarding implementation of the draft Port Adelaide/Enfield Bike Plan. She is inviting input from the cycling community regarding infrastructure priorities for 2016 and beyond.

Page 1 of the draft Pt Adelaide/Enfield Bike Plan’s prioritisation matrix.

The Draft Plan’s pdf provides an 18-page ‘prioritization matrix’ of possible infrastructure improvements to be implemented over several years. At our request Kerry has provided this listing of potential priorities in text form to make it easier for the BUG and community to submit their comments and suggestions. She has suggested that it would be useful to provide this response in the next month!

The PortBUG is considering how it might best seek input from the Community and make such recommendations. We plan to spend most of our August meeting focusing on a suitable submission. We have actually already made some recommendations for ‘short-term priorities’ which can be read here. We’ve made the text version of the prority list available here. It’s a long list of course, but we would welcome comments and suggestions from all bicycle users. What improvements do you consider most important for action in 2015-16? What should be considered for 2016-17 and beyond? Please write and let us know!

2.  Torrens-to-Torrens Project – Bike Update:  The BUG had hoped that staff from this key project would be able to provide an update at our next meeting on August 6^th. Unfortunately this won’t be possible, but the T-to-T team are planning a Community Open Day for the middle of August and should have information available then. They extend an invitation to all PortBUG members and to the cycling community generally to attend this open day on Saturday 15^th August, 10am to 2pm at the site office on Ridley Street, Hindmarsh. Please consider attending and providing the design team with feedback. It’s essential for the future of community bicycle use in Adelaide’s North-West that the Torrens-to-Torrens Project get this design right! The redevelopment of South Road has potential for major impacts on bicycle access and cycling safety across the region!

Planned bicycle & rail overpass over a re-developed South Road.

As we have outlined in previous posts and here, the PortBUG has been seeking key improvements to the original development plans, including provision of continuous, straight and extended ramps for the bicycle overpass across South Road (between King Street, Croydon and Coglin Street, Bowden) and an effective bicycle crossing across the new roadway at Hurtle & Hawker Streets, Ridleyton.

Port Adelaide.

3.  Outer Harbour Greenway Maps:  The Port Adelaide/Enfield Council are keen to see easily accessible maps available to the public for the Outer Harbor Greenway route and have been developing some for the Council’s website. They are seeking comment from the BUG and the local cycling community.

You can find links to the draft PA/E maps here. What do you think? Are they useful? Is a different approach is needed? Suggestions? Please let us know. The PortBUG has been considering our own Greenway Map project, using a different approach based on informative line drawings by a local artist – perhaps similar to the map below…

Information-orientated bike map from Oregon, USA.

Proposed bike overpass at South Road prior to new design extending to Coglin Street to the left.

1. New Bike Lanes Planned for Old Port Road: The PortBUG notes a recent press report (Portside Messenger, July 8^th) signaling DPTI’s intention to install painted bike lanes on Old Port Road, Queenstown. While we are sure that DPTI will consult extensively with residents and businesses along this stretch of road (and may have already done so), there does appear to be some community rumbling about the plan. In recent years the PortBUG has repeatedly lobbied DPTI and the Minister of Transport for inclusion of bike facilities along this section of road. Many commuting bike users were disappointed that new bike lanes were not installed on Old Port Road along with the ‘Waterproofing the West’ wet lands project on the central reserve. DPTI has previously told the BUG that there is inadequate road width for accommodating bike lanes. It now appears that DPTI’s engineers may have changed their minds! We will be seeking further details of DPTI’s current plans as a matter of priority.

Fence separating road and bike path – Rosewater Railyard Bikeway.

2. Greenway Update from DPTI: Ms Gemma Kernich, Acting Manager DPTI’s Office of Cycling & Walking has recently been down to Port Adelaide to check progress with work on the Outer Harbour Greenway and to monitor community use of the newly rebuilt Rosewater rail-yard pathway.

Gemma notes that “the bollards & fencing in the museum precinct are all installed which makes it a lot more difficult [for cars] to drive on the path down there now… I was only there for about 30mins and saw a lot more people riding and walking through this area with their shopping etc, than I have ever seen down there before which was really great – I am quite happy with how it’s being used! Similarly the Woodville section [Woodville Road to St Claire] is now finished except a tiny bit of realignment at the eastern end on the signals approach.”

Car exiting the Greenway path using the Lipson Street ramp.

Gemma’s mention of cars on the Greenway stems from its recurrent use by Aviation Museum visitors as a convenient driveway exit to Lipson Street! The new fences and bollards are designed to reduce the obvious dangers of car/bike collisions and inappropriate vehicle use on the pathway.

The PortBUG too has noted the much increased use of the Rosewater pathway by pedestrian and people using mobility devices as well as local cyclists keen to avoid riding into the Port CBD via the main roads. And of course we’ve also seen increased use by commuter cyclists trying out the not-yet-completed Greenway!

Proposed bicycle & train overpass – South Road.

3. Great News re the Torrens-to-Torrens Project: The PortBUG has received great news from the Torrens-to-Torrens Planning Project. Since release of the initial plans in 2014 the PortBUG has been campaigning for several key improvements, most notably:

• provision of an extended east-side ramp on the South Road bicycle overpass reaching all the way to Coglin Street (rather than just provision of an indirect, 3-stage ‘dog leg’ ramp to adjacent McInnes Street)
• provision of a secure interim route for Greenway users, bypassing the Project works and providing a secure crossing at South Road
• provision of a secure bicycle crossing across the rebuilt South Road at the informal & frequently used ‘bike crossing’ at Hurtle & Hawker Streets, Ridleyton.

In particular the new Project Assessment Supplement Plan tells us that: “DPTI intends to continue the greenway path within the rail corridor on the eastern side of South Road through to Coglin Street. This will require construction of an overpass access ramp within the rail corridor on the eastern side of South Road and another ramp down to South Road at McInnes Street to cater for users wanting to access the local area.”

The PortBUG is extremely pleased to have this news that at least one of the key improvements we’ve sought is now confirmed! We are hoping that a representative of the Torrens-to-Torrens Project will be able to attend our August meeting to provide a more detailed briefing. All are of course welcome!

New Pathway – Woodville to St Claire.

The Torrens to Torrens Project, South Road.

1.  Torrens-to-Torrens Project Update:  Since 2014 the PortBUG has been liaising with the Torrens-to-Torrens redevelopment project on South Road to seek the best possible outcomes for bicycle users travelling to and from the Port, with a particular focus on:

• improving the proposed bike overpass at South Road
• adequate ‘detour’ arrangements over the course of the project for the Outer Harbour Greenway
• safe crossing and right turn arrangements for South Road’s new bike lanes.

Wendy Thompson, liaison officer with the consortium who will build the project has contacted the PortBUG with an update on progress. She has provided a map which illustrates the latest increase in the project’s scope with a link to the Minister’s press release in which he states: “This project will… increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists with improved footpaths and improved connections to cycling routes such as the Outer Harbor Greenway….Construction of the Torrens Road to River Torrens project is due to start in mid-2015 and the project is due for completion by the end of 2018.” 

The project is planning a community open day to be held in August. The BUG has some continuing concerns about the project design. In particular recent plans do not reveal the previously confirmed straight or linear descent from the South Road bicycle overpass towards Coglin Street! Instead, all that is shown is a somewhat circuitous ‘dog leg’ ramp to nearby McInnes Street. We’ll be taking this and other issues up with the planning team asap.

2.  BUG Response to the Gillman DPA:  PortBUG member Tony Beazley has developed a response to recently released plans for the redevelopment of vacant land at Gillman (to the North of the Port Expressway and East of the Port River). Tony’s response outlines cycling routes mentioned in the Gillman DPA, but not yet included in the PAEC Cycling plan. He notes that: “cycling access is particularly important to the Gillman area because…there are no regular bus services within the proximity of the Gillman/Dry Creek site…Gillman offers good bicycle infrastructure potential:

• [existing] levies…provide an excellent base [for bike routes] eliminating the need for disturbing acid sulphate soils.
• routes that are attractive to recreational and family riders [and] which pass through varied terrain.
• an opportunity to showcase samphire and mangrove coastal systems and the operation of some of the metropolitan area’s largest wetlands
• a good off road commuting link between Mawson Lakes and Port Adelaide.”

The area covered by the Gillman Development Proposals.

The PortBUG’s submission suggests some relatively minor changes and draws the committee’s attention to the strategic importance of the cycle routes through the Gilman area. We’ll keep readers appraised of the outcomes.

3.  Port Council Updates:  The Port Adelaide/Enfield Council has designated Engineer Shaun De Waal as ‘bicycle officer’ and contact person for bicycle-related concerns or queries. He can be contacted via PA/E’s customer service address (address emails ‘Attention Shaun de Waal’). Shaun has contacted the BUG about reports of loose gravel left on the Coast Park after recent resurfacing work. He writes, “the contractor has left the path unswept after rolling due to concern that brooming the surface too soon will dislodge all the aggregate from the path. To undertake additional rolling of the surface to bed down the remaining loose aggregate, temperatures need to be higher. Ideal temperatures are mid to high 20’s where the bitumen is active and pliable. In the interim we will look at ways to improve awareness and safety for users.”

The PortBUG has also written to PA/E identifying some problems with the Greenway route from the Port River out to Outer Harbour. Shaun responds: “I am expecting the remaining sharrows (except Lipson St) along the Outer Harbor Greenway route to be completed in the coming weeks providing we have some dry weather. Once complete we will be reviewing the entire route to ensure connections, signage and line marking are complete and correct. I have noted issues raised in Liz Millington’s email which will be very helpful in identifying signage and infrastructure problems along the route. In addition we are currently developing maps of the Outer Harbor Greenway route to be put on our website.” 

Plan for revised bike access, Lipson St, Port Adelaide.

Shaun has also provided a detailed update and plans for bringing the Outer Harbour Greenway along Lipson Street to the Waterfront. There are a number of issues to be considered which we’ll try to detail at our Greenway webpage asap.

Mary-Clare, bakfiets & canine friend on the Coastal Way.

1.  Bakfiets on the Bikeway:  Largs Bay resident Mary-Clare has sent a great photo, taken on the Coastal Way which we just had to share with you. It’s obviously one of those over-the-shoulder pics that captures the joy of ‘just goin’ for a ride’. Marie-Clare bought her beautiful red Dutch-made bakfiets (‘box-bike’) locally and it get’s regular use, taking her pampered canine family members on outings. But only one at a time she reports as they are yet to learn to to share that cosy front box!

The Adelaide Long Bike, Adelaide Advertiser, 1996.

Of course the Bakfiets design is just one of many different forms of ‘cargo bike’. Others include Adelaide’s own original Longbike (see pic to right), developed in the late ’70s and 1980s and featured on its own page elsewhere at this site. At the PortBUG we’re great fans of ‘carrying stuff’ on bikes. If readers use any form of cargo or freight bike on Port Adelaide/Enfield bike routes the BUG would love to feature them. Just send us a picture and a few details!

Alberton Station Bikepath Sans Stobie!

2.  Greenway Updates:  DPTI Engineer, Namal Weerasooriya recently contacted the PortBUG with welcome news of removal of a key obstacle and significant hazard on the Outer Harbour Greenway at Fussell Place, Alberton. Namal said “…the light pole which was on middle of the shared path near Fussell Place has been removed and path has been reinstated.”

The Alberton Station bikeway ramp with obstacle in place!

Namal kindly attached a photo (see above) illustrating the now unobstructed entrance to the upgraded Greenway path running through to Alberton Railway Station and Railway Place. Contrast this with the view (to the right) of the same spot taken some months ago on a BUG recce ride! The BUG congratulates DPTI on the attention they are paying to such issues along the Greenway and for responding to the need to continue to ‘fine tune’ the route!

Other truly excellent news regarding the Outer Harbour Greenway comes via Gemma Kernich, Acting Manager of the Office of Cycling & Walking and DPTI’s ‘I Bike, I Like’ Facebook page.  The DPTI page says; “the Outer Harbor Greenway’s new path at Woodville Station has just opened for use! It’s 4m wide and well lit with just a little bit of tidying up to finish the work. You can now ride between Woodville Road through St Clair to Cheltenham Road, off-road.”

The O/H Greenway’s new section of shared-use pathway at Woodville/St Clair. Pic courtesy of DPTI, ‘I Bike, I Like’.

The PortBUG first surveyed and documented the Outer Harbour Greenway route back in 2005! On that first recce ride we noted the possibilities for routing the bikeway along this section of unused reserve adjacent to Woodville Station. We are heartened to see that DPTI too have considered this a great opportunity avoid sending bicycle users onto the often congested and poorly lit Glenys Nunn Drive! Great for walking &skateboarding too!

3.  Australian Walking & Cycling Conference: Registrations are now open for the 2015 conference. From the conference’s web site: “Walkers and bicycle riders share many similar issues, both need good places to walk and ride, and both are often at risk in our society, primarily from motorised traffic. We are all walkers in one form or another, babies, toddlers, school children, young adults and onwards. It has been said that if the world was designed for walkers, it would be good for everyone (except perhaps those who wish to drive fast cars). With this in mind, the Australian Cycling Conference will celebrate its sixth iteration by expanding to cover walking as well as cycling.”

New bike lanes on St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide.

4.  St Vincent Street Bike Lanes:  In our last blog post the breaking story was news of new bike lanes and crossing facilities being installed on St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide. The PortBUG subsequently wrote to DPTI requesting that the project consider options for reducing hazards that bike users face when turning right from St Vincent Street in Nelson, a manoeuvre required to cross the Birkenhead Bridge, either on the roadway or via the off-road shared-use path. The BUG considers this a major safety issue, particularly for commuting cyclists returning home to Penninsula suburbs late in the day when the setting sun often presents particular difficulties for drivers behind them, negotiating what is a relatively complex set of turning lanes. In particular we asked that DPTI consider inclusion of a ‘hook turn’ facility (similar to that illustrated below) in the current project.

Proposal for hook-turn bike provisions at St Vincent & Nelson.

DPTI Project Manager Bill Zissopoulos has very promptly responded as follows; “Thank you for the email and detailed response – greatly appreciated.  Good to hear that you are supportive of this new initiative of adding bicycle lanes with the double buffer on St Vincent Street between Jervois Bridge and Nelson Street. What you are proposing [re the hook-turn; Ed] sounds like a great idea and has merit.  Unfortunately I can’t add it to this current work, however we are currently investigating options that you have recommended as a project in the 15/16 financial year. Once we have developed a concept, we will send a copy for your comment to ensure that we have encapsulated your suggestions.”  The PortBUG is encouraged by DPTI’s response and looks forward to further work on this important (and hazardous) section of the Port’s bicycle network in 2015/16 financial year. We would also welcome any input about this issue from readers

June ‘Pic of the Month’!

Helpful signage from City Of Charles Sturt workers on the Gawler Greenway route. Courtesy of DPTI’s ‘I Bike, I Like’.

Good News for Cycling in the Port!

The Dep’t for Planning, Transport & Infrastructure (DPTI) has told the PortBUG that work will start over the coming week on the long-planned extension of bicycle lanes over the western sections of St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide! These new lanes are funded by the SA Government’s 2014-15 Black Spot Programme in conduction with the PA/E Council and RenewalSA.

Overview of new bike lanes on St Vincent St-West.

New bike lanes will connect those existing lanes immediately to the East of the St Vincent/Nelson Street intersection (where traffic turns to cross the Birkenhead Bridge), with the bike lanes and off-road path facilities installed in 2014 over the Jervois Bridge at the end of Hart Street.

DPTI tell us that the new bike lanes “will improve connectivity to the existing bicycle lane infrastructure in Port Adelaide, to the city and to nearby shops…” & the “process has resulted in no loss of car parking… street lighting will also be upgraded as part of this project.”

New bike lanes on St Vincent St-West: Nelson St to Hare St.

Traffic approaching from the Jervois Bridge end of the street will be able to turn right into Ship Street (via a right turn lane), providing access to the Port Mall shopping precinct. Right turns from St Vincent Street into Hare Street will no longer be allowed, although west-bound traffic will still be able to access Hare Street and precinct via Nelson and Nile Streets. Left-in and left-out turn movements will still be permitted at the Hare Street T-junction.

New bike lanes on St Vincent St-West: The Minories to the Jervois Bridge.

Further to the west, the new bike lanes will continue across road entrance junctions at Mundy St, The Minories and Rann Place, as well as the harbour-front pathway and pedestrian crossing. Painted road surfacing will delineate the lanes at several of these T-junctions. DPTI state that work will commence on Tuesday 9^th June and is expected to be completed by the end of August. weather permitting.

While applauding this initiative, the PortBUG has expressed concerns that the new bike lane project will not address hazards faced by bicycle users attempting right-hand turns from St Vincent Street into Nelson Street to access the harbour-front path or to cross the Birkenhead Bridge. To accomplish this manoeuvre commuting cyclists currently end up riding across 1 or 2 lanes of accelerating traffic on St Vincent Street or waiting at the lights to turn with on-going ‘straight ahead’ traffic behind them.

Neither are satisfactory situations, especially given the orientation of this intersection towards the west and the setting sun, a particular problem during the afternoon commuting period and at dusk in winter! The BUG is concerned that if this situation is not effectively dealt with now, we may never see a safe and convenient link for commuting cyclists across the Birkenhead Bridge to the LeFevre Peninsula. While we recognise that the intersection is complex and often carries large volumes of traffic, we are confident that solutions are available.

The BUG has written to DPTI requesting that a solution be found to this major safety issue. We have made some initial suggestions (see below) but intend ‘workshopping’ these further before providing a more formal submission.

PortBUG’s initial suggestions for a safer Nelson St. intersection. Green triangles represent hook-turn bike refuges.

Our initial suggestions include:

• providing a green-painted right turning bike lane, proceeding from the mid-road lane into Nelson Street, possibly with a green-painted ‘bike box’ at its head
• installation of a hook-turn bicycle refuge on St Vincent Street just past the eastern entry roadway into Church Street to allow bikes to wait until the traffic is clear to proceed right into Nelson Street
• provision of a similar hook-turn facility immediately to the west of the Church Street exit to St Vincent Street.

To work properly any solution will need coordination with lights and surrounding traffic and may require substantial redesign of the intersection. This may well present an opportunity to provide bicycle users approaching the intersection from the north (from the Birkenhead Bridge roadway or off-road path) with safer options for crossing the Nelson/St Vincent Street intersection to access Port CBD shops and services. The PortBUG welcomes input and ideas from those keen to see provision for safer cycling at this key point in the Port’s bike network! Please contact our secretary if you have suggestions you’d like us to convey to DPTI and the Minister.

PortBUG meets with Councillor Hogan and Council Officers, Kerry & Shaun.

1.  PortBUG Meets with Councillor & Council Staff: At it’s May 7th meeting, PortBUG met with PAE officers, Kerry McConnell (Team Leader, Transport) and Shaun Dewaal (Civil Engineer). Also present was Councillor Michelle Hogan (Semaphore Ward). Discussion focussed on finalisation of the newly drafted PAE Local Area Bike Plan and key aspects of its implementation over the next few years. The BUG has drafted some initial principles & ideas for the implementation which readers can find here.  We have also provided Council staff with initial recommendations for infrastructure development which can be read here. The PAE Bike Plan awaits staff prioritisation of its infrastructure recommendations and then ratification by Council. We will continue to develop our ideas for its implementation and post them on the web site. We welcome further suggestions.

PortBUG meets with Councillor Hogan.

2.  PortBUG Website Update:  We’ve just put up a new ‘business’ page here where you can read the minutes of our regular (and sometimes irregular) meetings. Our website’s front page is here. The site’s purpose is to provide the PAE community with a practical ‘users guide’ to day-to-day bicycle use across (and beyond) the council area and the ongoing development of the PAE Bike Network.

3. Stobie Pole Artwork Project:  Part of the PAE Council’s OPAL programme, the Stobie Pole Art Project uses art in public places to promote local community parks and playgrounds. The Council is now seeking expressions of interest from artists to paint 24 panels for 12 stobie poles to promote the location of parks and to inspire the community to utilise their local parks and playgrounds.

It has been suggested to the PortBUG that these panels could also promote cycling and bicycle use, particularly in and around PAE’s great parklands & bike paths. Expressions of Interest due by 5pm on Monday 18 May 2015.  Contact Jane Marr, Arts & Cultural Development Officer, Ph: 8405 6848, Mob: 0416 271 566 & E: jane.marr@portenf.sa.gov.au

1.  Port Adelaide BUG Meeting: Our monthly meeting will be held this Thursday 7^th May, upstairs at The Argo restaurant in Commercial Road, Port Adelaide (not far from the lighthouse!) All interested are welcome! Of special interest will be our guest speakers, Kerry McConnell and Shaun Dewaal from the Port Adelaide Enfield Council. Kerry and Shaun will be attending to discuss design & implementation of the new PAE Bicycle Plan and the new Bicycle Network! Please come along and hear about this very important ‘next step’ for Active Mobility in the Port Adelaide & Enfield Council Area.

2.  Bicycle Institute AGM:  The Bicycle Institute (formerly the Bicycle Institute of SA, or ‘BISA’) will be holding its AGM next Tuesday, 12th May at 7.30pm. The gathering will be at 111 Franklin St (former old Bus Station and then BikeSA offices). 

Guest speaker will be Paul Gelston, Chief Operating Officer in the Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.  Paul will talk to us about the role of the State Government in providing for our transport needs, where cycling fits in, and the pressures faced in trying to meet broad State government objectives and deal with political demands whose basis ranges from metropolitan-wide to very local concerns. More info at the BI’s web site. Note that the Bicycle Institute welcomes new members – you can join for free here. PortBUG will be particularly interested to hear what Paul has to say about the forthcoming State Bike Strategy! 

3.  Cars Using the Greenway Path! Recently members have noticed several instances of vehicle use on the newly rebuilt Greenway shared pedestrian & bike paths through the Rosewater Railyards and associated Museum Precincts.

Car exiting the Greenway path using the Lipson Street ramp.

PortBUG contacted the Department of Transport. Ms Gemma Kernich, Acting Manager of Cycling & Walking has responded indicating:

“The contract for fencing and bollard,s which will physically prevent cars getting in from the road ramps, or crossing between the road and path near the Lipson St end has just been awarded and work will probably commence next week… [the line marking has been postponed] until the fencing and bollards installation work is completed…

With the bollards and fencing down this will physically prevent motor vehicle access from the roads, and for those that do drive in and beeline across the site to illegally drive on the path it will be a lot more obvious with a centre line and bicycle/pedestrian logos painted on it that they’re driving where they shouldn’t.“

It’s obvious that this presence of vehicles on the Railyards Greenway may well be an ongoing issue (despite the measures that Gemma mentions), simply because the many visitors to the museums probably find it quite difficult to discriminate between one patch of asphalt and another and because the museum precinct’s main access road is relatively narrow! PortBUG suggests that regular Greenway users stay alert for vehicles and let the BUG know (and maybe take photos if you can) so that we can stay on top of the issue.

Note cyclist competing for ‘ramp space’ in the photo above!

Bicycle users – we need to hear from you!

1.  The BUG-Site:  The PortBUG has long been concerned that good, practical information is available to bicycle users across the Port Adelaide Council area. We are building our web site and Facebook page to address this need. At last count the blog had 92 ‘followers’ – that’s nearly 100 people interested in the future of Active Mobility and bike use in our community! Fantastic when you think about it. However none of us are web experts nor are we transport professionals! This is a collective effort and we need your ideas and suggestions. All ideas for improving conditions for everyday cycling or our web presence are welcome – please share them with us. E: portadbug@gmail.com

2.  Major Greenway Developments: Rosewater Railyards:  The newly rebuilt and resurfaced Rosewater Railyard pathway, running between Lipson Street, Port Adelaide and Rosetta Street, Rosewater now approaches completion. New lighting has been installed and is now operating. The surfaces are now wider & greatly improved with new, full width ramps at each end.

New lighting & full-width surfaces in the Rosewater Railyards Path. Pic: Dave Case.

Outer Harbour Greenway: The rebuilt Rosewater Railyard pathway. Port Adelaide’s CBD & Harbour front to the left & the proposed Ottoway Greenway route to the right!

Outer Harbour Greenway: The completed Eastern ramp entrance to the Rosewater railyards section.

Obstacle on the move!

Fussell Place Pathway – Alberton:  Greenway users will be pleased to hear that at Fussell Place, Alberton, the stobie pole which has long been a significant obstacle at the entrance to the Station Place laneway is to be moved! The Station Place section of the Greenway route is now finished and open for use. Wouldn’t it be great if one day there was a proper button-activated crossing here?

Pathway between Fussell Place and Station Place & Alberton Rail Station.

Woodville to St Clair:  At Woodville a brand new 250 metre section of Greenway path is about to be opened. It runs between the bicycle & pedestrian activated crossing at Woodville Road and the recently completed St Clair pathway through the new suburb of the same name. The main benefits will be safety and convenience as Greenway users will no longer have to detour via the poorly lit and congested ‘parking zone’ on Glenys Nunn Drive to transit this section of the route.

Outer Harbour Greenway: The new section of pathway looking towards Woodville Road. Dedicated lighting & rail reserve fence to the right. We expect the the old fence to the left to be removed.

Previous detour to Glenys Nunn Drive on the left. New pathway straight ahead.

Previously, Greenway users travelling towards the City and exiting the St Clair section, took a narrow ‘detour’ path to ride through a car park and along Glenys Nunn Drive, thence to Woodville Road. This roadway was frequently crowded with parked cars and poorly lit after dark. The new path (behind the gates in the picture to the right) is wide with an excellent surface and what looks like very effective lighting. There is new fencing along the rail reserve – it seems likely that the old fence adjacent to St Clair oval will be removed.

New surface & lighting.

Unfortunately the Eastern exit to the crossing at Woodville Road still requires an awkward turn around several bike-storage boxes used by rail commuters. The PortBUG hopes that these might be moved at some point to provide more direct access between crossing and pathway…

Outer Harbour Greenway: The transition from the bicycle & pedestrian crossing on Woodville Road to the new pathway is not as direct as it could be. The green boxes are bike lockers – they could perhaps have been moved…

 3.  ‘Bike’ Parking at Salisbury:  The City of Salisbury often appears to be one of the most ‘bike friendly’ Metro Councils. We particularly like the innovation evident in the design of the new bike parking facilities outside their Council chambers! At the very least, it acknowledges that maybe more than 1 or 2 visitors will arrive by bike! Something for PAE Council to consider…?

New ‘Cadillac’ bike parking facility outside Salisbury Council Chambers. Pic: Leslie Wightman

Proposed PA/E Bike Network.

1. Port Adelaide/Enfield Local Area Bicycle Plan: The Port Adelaide Environment Forum will hold an open public presentation of the updated Local Area Bicycle Plan by Kerry McConnell, Team Leader Transport for City of Port Adelaide Enfield.

Where & when: Port Adelaide/Enfield Council Town Hall 34 Nile St, Port Adelaide. Thursday 16th April, 7pm – 9pm.

The forum will be free, all are welcome & no booking is required. Enquiries to Tiffany Ware, 8405 6755 or tiffany.ware@portenf.sa.gov.au.

Sharing the footpath…

2. SA’s New Cycling Laws:       As an outcome of the recent Citizen’s Jury, the SA Government has proposed new laws including allowing bicycle users onto footpaths and a ‘metre-matters’ rule for vehicles passing bikes. The PortBUG has written to support the new rules which we believe will go a long way to improving safety for cyclists, especially where road infrastructure is inadequate to protect them.

Here’s part of what we said:

“Allowing cyclists to use footpaths where they perceive roads to be unsafe will make legal what many cyclists have had to resort to where road infrastructure and traffic density has put them at severe risk of injury…” &

“A rule to require one metre minimum passing distance for vehicles overtaking cyclists is a welcome emphasis on driver safety practices.”

While it’s not yet clear if these proposals will be implemented, the PortBUG believes that they represent major steps towards safer and more convenient bicycle use across the State.

Proposed bicycle & train overpass – South Road.

3. Torrens-to-Torrens – Big Gains for Cycling: Representatives from the Port & Charles Sturt BUGs recently met with the project team from the massive Torrens to Torrens Project on South Road. After extensive consultation and planning over the past year, we were pleased to hear of positive outcomes for bicycle users – notably:

• the proposed ‘bicycle bridge’ over South Road will provide – on its Eastern descent – both a ‘dog leg’ ramp adjacent to McInnes Street (providing access to South Road bike lanes and local area networks) and a more direct, straight ramp down to Coglin Street and the Greenway route continuing through Bowden to the City
• over its 3-year course, the project will provide at least one secure route across South Road for bicycle users on the Outer Harbour Greenway. It’s not clear how this will be achieved but one proposal will take cyclists briefly on to Port Road via dedicated, light-controlled crossings. Another may proceed via the Hawker Street crossings at Park Terrace and South Road.

Eventually of course the Greenway will connect directly from the new South Road overpass through Bowden to a crossing over Park Terrace and into the Parklands bike network. Much will depend on the Bowden housing development and the design of the new Bowden rail station. The PortBUG also put a number of additional questions to the project group – we’ll report as soon as we have further news.

Danish transport culture!

4. Ross Visits Copenhagen: Roving BUG reporter Ross Hubbard – currently interstate – has recently visited Copenhagen and written about the more obvious aspects of bicycle culture there.

Apart from widespread bicycle use, he noted that one sight so familiar to Australians – the collection of derelict cars in the front yard – is replaced in Copenhagen by…

Front yard neglect – Copenhagen-style.

As Ross notes, “Copenhagen… what a great cycling city it really is. Massively wide roads (similar to Adelaide in lots of ways) so lots of cycling paths adjacent to the roads. Interestingly though most of the cycling paths were only distinguished by slightly different paving stones to the footpaths and with a very slight rise from the road itself. I didn’t really notice any marked or painted paths or paths that were protected from the road by barriers or kerbing… Copenhagen once had an extensive tram network and it seems that the bike has taken advantage in lots of places from their demise… unlike other cities where the car all too soon filled the vacuum.
 As you’d expect there were loads of people riding about at all times… it was really quite amazing to see the amount of people commuting and going about their business by bike. It was great to see bikes being used as they were intended – as a form of transport, carrying people, goods and children.”

Picture: Ross Hubbard.

5. Inspiration from the Netherlands: BUG member Dave Case has returned to his studies un urban planning and has been cruising the net seeking inspiration. As he says, “That’s it – I’m going to Groningen” Take a look and maybe plan your next holiday!

Street-smart, Groningen-style!

The draft PA/E Bike Plan.

1.  Your Chance to Comment! The Port Adelaide/Enfield Council’s new draft Local Area Bike Plan is now available for your comment, with submissions closing on Monday March 2^nd. At about 150 pages it’s a big read, but the main points of interest to everyday bicycle users will probably be the proposed bike network map on page 45 (low-res above, link to hi-res map here) and the sections detailing the proposed Network between pages 45 and 82.

The PortBUG encourages you to take a look at the draft, particularly those parts of the Network of most relevance to you ( and your family’s) day-to-day bicycle use or transport needs. Send any comments you may have to Kerry and Shaun at PA/E Council. Or send comments directly to your BUG – we will include them in the submission we are putting together!

A key point we will make is the principle that the identification and development of bicycle routes should be informed by consultation with everyday bicycle users. We believe that the Network Plan needs to take into account input from everyday bicycle users across the PA/E Council area when identifying and prioritising bicycle routes! To this end the PortBUG will be seeking an ongoing process of ‘route finding’, allowing residents to nominate cycling routes important to them and identify the problems they encounter day-to-day. If you would like to see your cycling needs included in PortBUG’s submission, please send them to our working group asap. Point form is fine!

All of the submissions we have provided to the consultants and Council thus far can be found here along with a link to a large-scale pdf map of the proposed network which you can download to your computer and review at ‘street-level’ detail if needed.

2.  Coast Park Bikeway Planning:  Recently the City of Charles Sturt contacted all parties (including PortBUG) involved in the Coast Park Reference Group over the past 18 months, proposing that the work of the Reference Group now conclude with a Coast Park Report to be issued on the 23^rd February. The PortBUG has provided the Council with a brief response. You can read the BUG’s submissions at our web site along with those of other’s involved in the Reference Group with links to relevant documents, including the PortBUG’s initial submission (Oct. 2013).

The new Mayor and many of the new Councillors at the City of Charles Sturt are dealing with the completion of the Coast Park for the first time. The PortBUG hopes that they do so with commitment and imagination and understand the extraordinary value and potential of this key community asset, not just now but for generations to come!

1. PA/E Bicycle Consultation: The PA/E Council last week released a draft Bicycle Strategy for public comment. We now note provision of a link to an on-line survey form at the Council website, providing an additional option for responding to the strategy. We encourage your comment asap! The Council has also now announced that the consultation period will finish on Monday, March 2^nd . Comment can also be provided by emailing Kerry or Shaun at the PA/E Council or by calling 8405 6600 (ask to speak with Shaun or Kerry about the Bike Plan).

2. Bicycle Advocacy in Adelaide: The Bicycle Institute will be holding a public meeting
 focused on ‘Bicycle advocacy – How do we get more influence?’
 Key speaker will be Julian Ferguson, BikeSA’s Marketing Manager. 
Julian has come from Brussels, where he was Communications Officer for the European Cyclists’ Federation. When: Wednesday 11th February, 7pm. Where: The meeting will be in the Conservation Council’s new home at 111 Franklin St, Adelaide, the old bus depot site and former BikeSA offices. The meeting is free, but please rsvp to ian@bisa.asn.au if attending.

Click to enlarge!

3. Coming – New Bike Lanes on St. Vincent Street, Port Adelaide: The State Government’s 2014/2015 Black Spot Cycling Project Program has announced the the proposed installation of a bike lane on St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide from the Nelson Street corner to the Jervois Bridge. Also included in the Black Spot program’s projects will be the fixing of gaps in the bike lane on Grand Junction Road from Churchill Road to Hancock Road in the East!

4. New Government Cycling Pages: The State Government has launched revised (and considerably more attractive and better organized) cycling pages. Take a look!

5. New PedBikeTrans Newsletter: PedBikeTrans is a loosely organized network of transport planning professionals across Australia. The PBT newsletter is edited here in Adelaide by Ian Radbone of HUB Transport. It is a valuable source of information about bicycle planning and innovation and is worth subscribing to. The latest edition can be found here.

Worried about cycling in The Port? Contact the PortBUG – your local Bicycle User Group!

1.  PA/E Bike Plan 2015-20 – Consultation: Port Adelaide/Enfield’s new and long awaited draft Bicycle Strategy has at last been released for public consultation. A brief article announcing the release and an opportunity for comment can be read here and reads:

“Council is reviewing the strategic Bicycle Plan. The plan outlines how we will continue to develop cycling networks and facilities for residents and visitors.  You can read the plan by clicking here. If you would like to provide comment and feedback please email us… or by calling 8405 6600 and asking to speak with Shaun or Kerry about the Bike Plan.”

All well and good of course, but we can’t help noticing a marked contrast in the level of community engagement offered by PA/E compared with that on offer (see below) from neighbouring City of Charles Sturt, also reviewing it’s new bicycle strategy. Whereas PA/E Council invites residents to simply read the 148 page document and comment via email or phone call, CCS is offering interested residents multiple opportunities for information about their new strategy and to comment and ask questions, both on-line and in person at a community consultation evening and presentation. PA/E residents might feel a little disappointed that our Council has not seen fit to offer its own community a similar level of consultation and engagement!

The PortBUG will be examining the draft Strategy in detail over the next few weeks and formulating a response. We would welcome your input. We will be posting a draft response asap for your comment at our website.

2.  CCS Walking and Cycling Strategy:  The City of Charles Sturt has released its own draft walking and cycling strategy for public consultation. Several opportunities for comment are available here. Consultation closes Tuesday March 10th. While the CCS Strategy will principally be of interest to CCS residents, the outcomes will also be significant for Port Adelaide as many of the key bicycle facilities and routes throughout CCS are important for PA/E residents, particularly those travelling into the CBD or elsewhere across Adelaide. The PortBUG intends making a brief comment on the CCS draft strategy and welcomes comments and input from the community to portbug@gmail.com or below.

3.  Land Use on the Lefevre Peninsula: Many Port Adelaide residents are concerned with land-use issues. A State Parliament inquiry has now reported on the health, safety and amenity of residential and industrial areas on the Lefevre Peninsula. The inquiry considered issues relating to public health, environmental management, and urban planning. The report made 15 recommendations to the State Government.

To seek Community feedback the Council is holding a public meeting at the Waterside Workers Hall, 11 Nile Street, Port Adelaide, 18th February, 2015, 7 pm.  The meeting will include presentations from representatives of the Parliamentary Committee, as well as State Government agencies. An agenda is available here.  Questions for the meeting can be submitted here.

1.  New Bicycle Initiatives: S.A Premier Mr Jay Weatherill has released the Government’s response to a report from its recent Citizen’s Jury, tasked with addressing the challenge of road safety for all.  The Premier said “we support the vast majority of the Jury’s recommendations…”. He signalled a range of new Government strategies including new cycling boulevards and Greenways, provisions allowing all cyclists to ride on the footpath and new laws to ensure motorists leave at least one metre when they overtake a cyclist. The Premier also said his Government “will allocate $250,000 in seed funding to a Greenways and Bicycle Boulevard program, which will include a focus on disappearing bike lanes and bicycle black spots” and “this program will be fully established and funded in the 2015/16 State Budget.”  All details can be found here. 2.  Australia Day Family Picnic: The Rotary Club of Salisbury will host its sixth Australia Day Festival at Carisbrooke Reserve, Salisbury Park on Australia Day, Monday 26 January. The celebrations, which have attracted more than 3,000 people in the past, will start from 8.00am with the Rotary Club serving a free breakfast. There will be rides and entertainment as well as food vendors selling all types of food and plenty on offer for the children, including face painting, airbrush tattoos and $2 carnival rides. A free community bus will run hourly from the Salisbury Interchange and back. Details here. 3.  New S.A. Cycling Strategy? Not Quite… At the last session on the last day of the 2014 VeloCity conference in Adelaide, Minister for Transport Stephen Mullighan indicated his support for a new SA Cycling Strategy, saying ‘watch this space’. Well, we’ve been watching, but we haven’t seen much activity – yet. We know that some SA bicycle groups have been consulted and that the LGA has been invited to form a working group to respond to the new plan. That, unfortunately is about all we know! Prior to Christmas we wrote to the Minister seeking further clarification. In his recent response Minister Mullighan has now told us the Government “will be releasing a draft of a new cycling strategy for public consultation in the first half of 2015”. So – as the Minister says – “watch this space!”

New Lipson Street Railyard bikeway ramp and pathway.

4.  Outer Harbour Greenway Update:  Just after Christmas the PortBUG contacted Gemma Kernich, Acting Manager of DPTI’s Office of Cycling & Walking, after witnessing several instances of drivers using the newly renovated Railyards bikeway ramp to enter and leave the Aviation Museum precinct. Gemma has provided a brief informal update on progress with the Outer Harbour Greenway route, including the following:

• Rosewater Railyard Ramps & Pathway: “When we’re finished in there it will be a lot more obvious that it’s a shared path (with an appropriate vehicle barrier, line marking and signage) as well as some separation between the two accesses off Lipson St.”
• 

  BUG member Dave Case tries out the new David Trc crossing. Photo: Bruce Steer.

  David Terrace Crossing : Gemma tells us that “the David Tce/Kilkenny Road [bicycle crossing] signals are switched on, and the path to Alberton Station (Fussell Place to Station Place) is also ‘open’ (both not quite finished).”

Gemma indicated that the Greenway information pages will be updated asap. The PortBUG’s first meeting for 2015: 7pm, Thursday 5^th February at Argo Cafe (upstairs), Commercial Rd, Port Adelaide.      ALL WELCOME.

What’s changed?

Portside Messenger, Dec 4th.

Another Greenway link opens. In October 2013 the BUGBlog reported on construction of a Bicycle & Pedestrian Activated (BPA) ‘push button’ crossing on the Outer Harbour Greenway across David Terrace at Kilkenny. Commuters will have noticed that while all the crossing’s infrastructure now appears to have been in place for some months, the lights and controls have been inactive and hidden away under protective coverings. That may be about to change!

BUG member Dave Case found the notice above in this week’s Portside Messenger. It warns the the David Trc/Kilkenny Rd railway crossing will be closed this coming weekend – we believe due to the activation of this long-awaited bicycle facility. Let’s hope that this is what bicycle commuters will encounter on Monday morning!

Reference: DPTI’s Infrastructure page.

New guard rails installed at the Loop Path’s Nelson Street crossing!

1.  New Guard Rails:  Just in time for the holiday season, DPTI have installed protective (and reflective) hi-vis guard rails at the waiting points on the Harbour Loop Pathway’s Nelson Street crossing.

Typical scenario on a Wednesday afternoon back in August this year

On busy weekends this crossing has often been characterised by chaotic behaviours from both pedestrians and vehicle users as they struggled with an inadequate mid-road refuge and with limited warning of the crossing’s presence.

Guard rails now clearly signal the presence of the crossing to all.

The new guard rails are painted reflective red & white and should help define (for both drivers and pathway users) the crossing’s ‘waiting’ areas and the need for care and a more responsible approach. Let’s hope that they improve things over the coming holiday season!

Construction underway on a new pedestrian and mobility vehicle ramp, on the Western side of the Lipson Street crossing.

2. Port Railyards Update:  The work on the Lipson and Edith Street road crossings proceeds apace! Opposite the Lipson Street Greenway exit there is now a 2nd ramp under construction. This will apparently assist pedestrians and those using mobility devices or pushers and shopping trolleys to cross the road with greater safety.

It’s not quite clear what such pathway users are then expected to do as the western footpaths are narrow and currently appear ill-suited to wheeled users. However, in the absence of public consultation or release of a plan, the BUG imagines that this new ramp is part of a larger design strategy to fully incorporate Lipson Street into the Outer Harbour Greenway and to allow safe connection through to both the Harbour Loop pathway and the Port CBD! We await further developments with interest…

Construction of a new and much wider ramp is underway at Edith Street, Rosewater.

Also underway is construction of a new ramp at the other end of the Railyards Bikeway at Edith Street, Rosewater. This should make entry to the Greenway’s street route at Rosewater much safer for all users.

The BUG also notes that installation of new lighting along the Railyards Bikeway has also started, with locations established, mounting holes excavated and adjacent cable inspection pits installed. High quality lighting will make an enormous difference to this often dark and potentially hazardous section of the Greenway. Female bicycle users have often commented that the lack of lighting has been a major disincentive to pathway use in the past! DPTI are to be congratulated on this initiative! 

He’s Everywhere! Dave Case at large.

The BUGBlog thanks it’s roving (and early rising) photographer Dave Case for timely provision of these excellent photographs!

3.  Final Meeting 2014!  The PortBUG will hold it’s final 2014 get-together this Thursday 4th, at 7pm, upstairs at the Argo Hellenic Cafe, Commercial Road, Port Adelaide. All are welcome! If you are interested in the BUG, what it has accomplished in 2014 and what we might tackle over 2015, please join us for a meal, a drink &/or and some great discussion!

Semaphore Road Bicycle Philosopher ‘Bill’ with his ‘hard rubbish Special’:
“I’ve got 8 more! There should be more stuff for bikes! Guess which came first – cars or bikes?”

Semaphore Road’s bikeways & Street Fair 2014.

1. Every-Day Bicycle Users at the Semaphore Road Fair:  As many will know, (most) roads were not built for cars! And this certainly applies to our favourite main-street at Semaphore! In amongst the fairy dresses and bric-a-brac at this year’s Semaphore Road Street Fair there were a few compelling every-day cycling treasures encountered.

We found ‘Bill’ – a well-practiced cycling philosopher – proudly seated outside the pub with his orange Hard-Rubbish Special. Bill reminded us of the question so popular amongst the hipster crowd – ‘how many bikes does a person need?’ Bill obviously already knows the answer ‘N + 1’ as he has 8 more hard-rubbish machines at home and it sounds as though the collection is growing! When introduced to the PortBUG he proclaimed firmly to all present, ‘There should be more of it. Guess which came first – cars or bikes?’  We’re with you there Bill!    

Corin, Simon & child (she’s the one seated on the Wee-Ride).
The small-wheeler belonged to Corin’s father. The large wheeler is an ancient Malvern Star. Nice people and beautiful bikes!

Further along the road we encountered Corin, Simon and Wee-One, proudly wheeling their own much-loved ‘rescued’ bikes. There’s something especially positive about bikes that just keep on going and going and going – and the people who love and respect them!

Kevin & children – a case of ‘2 wheels good – 4 wheels better!’

Then there was Kevin, out for a Street Fair cruise with the family on board – one child on the rear rack seat, two in the trailer, and plenty of water to go around!  Speaking of Semaphore Road’s unique and hard-won bicycle facilities, Kevin indicated that the off-road bikeways in particular “have made all the difference to our family’s bicycle use”! That’s what they are there for Kevin – everyday bicycle users – and that’s also why the PortBUG has now been around for nearly 30 years – because Bikes Deserve a Better Deal! Click on the ‘Follow’ button on the BUG’s home page to support better bike use in and around The Port!

2. New Railyard Pathway Ramp Confirmed:  DPTI – our State Government transport authority – has confirmed for the PortBUG that the much-improved pathway through the old Port Adelaide Railyard Reserve (Lipson Street, Port Adelaide to Edith Street, Rosewater) will also include a new and much wider (and hopefully ‘gentler’) ramp at the Edith Street end.

Location of the proposed Edith Street ramp on the Port Railways Bikeway.

Many bicycle users (including your Editor) have come to grief at this spot and we’ve been advocating for change for some time now. It’s great to hear that we can expect major improvement over the next week or so!

Bravo DPTI’s ‘Cycling & Walking’ office and staff!

3. PortBUG Website Changes:  The PortBUG website is undergoing lots of changes as we try to make it easier to navigate and more interesting and relevant to all. One thing you’ll see quite soon is a new ‘Correspondence’ page where you’ll be able to read letters sent and received, particularly those that come from the Minister for Transport’s office. In fact we’ve received three letters from Minister Mullighan in the last fortnight so keep an eye peeled! If you have comments on the site or constructive feedback please let us know.

Come along to our Special Christmas Meeting – Thursday December 4th (this week!), 6.30 for 7pm, up the stairs at the Port’s Argo Greek Cafe, Commercial Road (opposite the Council Chambers!) 

ALL WELCOME!

Shall we fly or shall we ride our bicycles…?

Brand-new entry & exit ramp for Port Railyard Bikeway!

1. Railyard Bikeway Renovations: The long-awaited widening and resurfacing repairs for the Port Adelaide Railyard Bikeway are underway. The work is being undertaken by DPTI as part of their work on the Outer Harbour Greenway route (of which the Railyards Bikeway is an important section).

Extensive widening & resurfacing of the Railyard Bikeway.

Thus far we have noted:

• widening of the bikeway, particularly on some of the awkward bends in the path
• repairs to the surface where it has subsided or become damaged by tree roots
• creation of a new and hopefully safer kerbside ramp & exit at the Lipson Street end.

Newly rebuilt ramp at Lipson Street facilitates better exit sight-lines.

New sight-lines available for those waiting.

The new Lipson Street entry & exit ramp provides bicycle users with a safer ‘waiting’ position much further out into the road. This will allow much improved sight lines along Lipson Street, assisting pathway users waiting for a gap in traffic. It will also allow motor vehicle drivers to clearly see those waiting to enter or cross the roadway.

We note of course that the old ‘rest rail’ is yet to be relocated or replaced in a more suitable position. Hopefully there will actually be new, smaller and highly-visible rest rails located on each side of the new ramp adjacent to the roadway entrance! Unfortunately we are not yet aware of the full scope of work to be undertaken. Unlike road projects which are usually canvassed widely, bikeway projects don’t seem to be accorded much publicity or information provision!

We do know that:

• the path is being widened and resealed across it’s entire width
• the bikeway will be lit to a high pedestrian standard via LED lighting.

An entirely new ramp will be built on the opposite side.

DPTI staff also note that the entrance to Lipson Street has been ‘shuffled along’ very slightly to ensure the rebuilt kerb ramp will line up with an entirely new pedestrian ramp to be installed on the other side of the road. The plan is that this new west-side ramp will assist wheel chair and pram users to directly access the footpath on the other side of the road.

New path/old ramp at the Rosetta Street end of the bikeway.

Hopefully the narrow and overly steep ramp at the Rosetta Street (or Rosewater) end of the bikeway will also be replaced. We note that the widened and resurfaced pathway at this end is now much wider than the ramp it ‘feeds’ so it seems reasonable to expect that a new, much wider ramp is in the plan!

No State Bike Strategy – Yet!

2. No State Bicycle Strategy – yet! Earlier in 2014 on the final day of the VeloCity Conference Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan referred to a new State Bicycle Strategy, asking us to ‘watch this space. Unfortunately that was just about the last mention he seems to have made on the subject.

PortBUG has recently written to the Minister offering our recommendations for this supposed new strategy and asking him to release it asap for public consultation. We are yet to hear back from the Minister’s office, but we have heard on the grapevine that:

• consultation has occurred with the Local Government Association (apparently with a joint LGA/DPTI working group formed)
• the new Strategy seems set for release for public consultation during the January 2015 Tour Downunder.

The PortBUG will provide our recommendations for a new State Bicycle Strategy at a dedicated page at our website as soon as possible.

3. PA/E Bike Strategy: Public release of the new Port Adelaide/Enfield Bicycle Strategy – to which the PortBUG has provided extensive input – also appears delayed. We had been expecting Council to release it for public comment and input prior to Christmas but this seems unlikely. We will monitor the situation as best we can and we will also ensure that our recommendations to Council are also available at our web site asap.

Support the work of the PortBUG – your local Bicycle User Group – just by following our Blog or Facebook page and stay in touch with The Port’s ‘bicycle renaissance’!

Adelaide University student Joe Chapman, at the ‘Landscapes in Transition’ exhibition, Port Adelaide.

1. Landscapes in Transition:  The PortBUG congratulates Adelaide University’s School of Architecture on a successful exhibition of student work at the Black Diamond gallery, Port Adelaide The exhibition provided a visual summary of final year studies focussed on the Outer Harbour Greenway route between the City and Port Adelaide. The work provided a range of rich, varied and highly imaginative exploratory illustrations of possibilities for development facilitated by the new Greenway route and the possibilities it provides for enhanced active mobility in the communities it passes through. The PortBUG will be liaising with the School to see if aspects of the work can somehow be made publicly accessible on an ongoing basis.

2. Rosewater Rail Yard Bikeway Improvements:  DPTI are currently rebuilding sections of the Rosewater Bikeway between Lipson Street, Port Adelaide and Rosette Street, Rosewater. Work will include widening and resurfacing of the current pathway and installation of LED lighting, as well as reinstatement of the entrance/exit ramp at the Port Adelaide end, missing since September 2013 (when it was inadvertently ‘deleted’ by contractors resurfacing Lipson Street). Stay tuned for more news of this important section of the Outer Harbour Greenway.

Enhanced width of the mid-road refuge.

3.  Nelson Street Crossing Improved:  As recently mentioned, DPTI have undertaken major improvements at the Nelson Street pedestrian & bikeway crossing. This heavily used crossing put pedestrians, bicycle users & others at significant risk, especially on the weekend and at rush hour when both road and pathway traffic can be extremely busy. The mid-road refuge is now deep enough to house an adult bike and almost as wide as the ramps on each side. The PortBUG congratulates both DPTI and Port Renewal on their responsiveness to community concern on this issue!

The mid-road refuge is now almost the same width as the access ramps!

DPTI’s new Greenway access pathway at Station Place, Alberton.

4.  New Pathway Access at Alberton Station:  DPTI is currently undertaking work on the Outer Harbour Greenway between Fussell Place, Alberton and Station Place adjacent to the Alberton Railway Station.

The existing pathway has been widened significantly with a new access pathway and ramp to Station Place and a fenced barrier between the path and the station platform. The pathway will also be lit by new and existing lighting. PortBUG expects the new surface will be installed shortly.

Support the volunteer work of the PortBUG – your local Bicycle User Group! Follow our blog and Facebook page and stay in touch!

Negotiating Nelson Street’s Improved Mid-Road Refuge.

Improved Nelson Street Loop Pathway Crossing: A few days ago BUG member Dave Case discovered that DPTI have commenced reconstruction of the ‘median refuge’ (mid-road crossing point) on Nelson Street adjacent to the Birkenhead Bridge and the British Hotel.

Readers may recall that back in August the BUG had expressed concern to both DPTI and Port Renewal that, while there are new and enlarged road-side pedestrian ‘standing platforms’ where those crossing can wait for a break in the traffic, the project did not improve the already narrow mid-road or median ‘refuge’ those crossing are frequently forced to wait for traffic to pass.

Original & Inadequate Refuge Design 0 August, 2014.

We pointed out that “this narrow median refuge remains inadequate with limited standing room, no protective rails and no obvious signs alerting drivers to the crossing’s presence. There is barely room for a small family to stand in the refuge and  certainly none to safely accommodate  pushers, bikes or electric mobility vehicles.”

Subsequently in September we were able to report that DPTI would rebuild the crossing to provide safer provision for those wanting to cross over this often busy section of the Harbour Loop Pathway (see plan below).

The blue outline represents DPTI’s proposed improvements to Nelson Street crossing.

Although still not finished, new kerbing around the mid-road refuge is in place. It appears to closely follow the plan posted in September with a much wider and deeper ‘standing’ space provided. The new refuge appears to be over 2 metres long and is certainly now wide enough to accommodate a bicycle safely. We are hoping that there will also be adequate safety rails and perhaps some warning signs as well.

This will be a great addition and improvement to the Loop Path, especially with Summer approaching with it’s many additional visitors to The Port. The Loop Pathway is already frequently enjoyed by people of all ages throughout the day. We note in particular it’s use by adults accompanying young children, encouraging safe and confident bicycle use. The pathway provides an excellent opportunity for this with it’s width and separation from traffic, its view overlooking the scenic harbour and – as always – the prospect of seeing the Port River’s resident dolphins.

The BUG understands that the work has been overseen by DPTI’s Namal Weerasooriya. Thanks Namal – we’ll follow the completion of this reconstruction with interest!