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Formerly the Bicycle Institute of SA
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Hopefully you were able to submit your views on the proposed East-West Bikeway as proposed by the Adelaide City Council. Bike Adelaide also submitted formal feedback which is available on our website. We are very concerned that the centre of road proposal is a distraction which will be used to cause further delays. Council was due to consider the feedback at their meeting in March however it seems this will now occur at their meeting on April 13. Please email to register your attendance. The more the merrier. CouncilBusinessTeam@cityofadelaide.com.au.
The overall impression of 'reluctant to proceed' with this project seems at odds with the latest city promotion exercise 'Adelaide: Designed for Life' which is rich in words like progressive, sustainable and liveable.
City of Adelaide promotional material
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Ride 2 School Day
19th March 2021
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Happy active kids picture thanks to the Bicycle Network.
While as a cycling community we are aware of the benefits of cycling, Ride 2 School Day helps send an important message to others who prefer motorised transport. Over the past 40 years the number of children who are physically active everyday has significantly dropped. In the 1970s, eight out of ten students rode or walked to school but today that number has dropped to just two out of ten, this change being apparent seeing the traffic congestion around schools. Students who ride or walk to school contribute to their minimum physical activity level, they are also more focused and ready to learn compared to those who are driven. If you are part of a school community use this special day to promote your favourite transport. Ride 2 School Day also raises funds for World Bicycle Relief.
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Consultation extended and support needed for a safe crossing
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Ninth Avenue is a well-used bike route (a quick alternative to the nearby windy River Torrens Linear Trail) however the current crossing at Stephens Terrace is poor. DIT would like to improve safety for bike riders and have proposed a solution that removes right turns.
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What does this mean? It is likely to receive backlash from car drivers and local residents.
What do we need to do? Provide a positive voice for change by emailing your support for the project to dit.communityrelations@sa.gov.au
Consultation has been extended until 26 March. More detail on the project is available here. Please spread the word.
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State Bicycle Fund projects 2019/20
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This month Bike Adelaide was invited to meet with the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) staff with primary responsibility for cycling projects to talk through what is coming up this year. Here is a quick list of projects that received funding through the State Bicycle Fund (total funding increased from $220,000 to $779,000 this year).
1. Finalise the Mount Gambier Rail Trail project
Bike Adelaide is highly supportive of upgrades to routes in regional towns and this is a great project used by many in the Mount Gambier community. We reiterated the need to significantly upgrade safety along the route with safer road crossings to support kids and students. DIT had already provided this advice with their focus being on creating a safe 8 - 80 route.
2. Whyalla City Loop - final section funded
Again it is great to see upgrades in regional communities. We haven't tried this loop out yet but we are interested to go for a look. Whyalla schools are highly involved in the Way2Go Bike Ed program so hopefully, the route helps kids get to school safely.
3. A new Moonta to Moonta Bay township shared use path along Bay Road.
This project follows on from the construction of a shared-use path connecting Moonta to Port Hughes which from all accounts has been very well received. Both paths will provide a protected route for riders on roads that are otherwise quite uncomfortable for people on bikes (high speeds). These projects have caught the interest of other councils across SA so we may see more quality cycling infrastructure coming to regional SA soon.
4. New sections of the Galwer Greenway
Three sections have received funding and are under construction. The first connects the Elizabeth railway station (heading South) to Ridley Road with a new shared-use path where sharrows will provide riders with a safe connection to existing shared-use paths through Ridley Reserve connecting to Main North Road.
The second section will upgrade the route on the western side of the railway line between Parafield and Greenfields railway stations with sections of shared-use paths to better connect existing local streets.
Lastly, access to Broad Meadows railway station is being improved.
In other news, Salisbury Council and DIT are in discussions to hopefully gain access to additional land to allow a direct path to connect the Parafield station to the Salisbury station. With a high school in the area, there is a big potential for active transport uptake once the path is in place. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome
5. West Torrens, Mitcham, and Port Adelaide
West Torrens has received funding but is yet to release details. More to come. The City of Mitcham has also received funding for sections of the Flinders to City Bikeway. Port Adelaide will upgrade a roundabout on Hart Street to a safer radial design. More to come on the benefits of radial roundabout design in future editions.
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State Bicycle Fund applications for 2020/2021 are expected to open in April. Talk to your council now and encourage them to apply for funding to upgrade your local bike network.
From DIT - The Mike Turtur Upgrade is on track. From Unley Council - There has been concern from local residents with the loss of vegetation which is understandable. Unley Council is however strongly committed to revegetation. Although they are not responsible for the project's construction they are responsible for the landscaping.
The Hove Level Crossing removal - Bike Adelaide raised our concerns with the project's omission of a shared-use path alongside the raised railway line. It seems space constraints have limited the scope of the project. It is dismal to again see active transport infrastructure squeezed out of a multi-million dollar major project focused on short-sighted and ineffective solutions to improving accessibility across Greater Adelaide.
In positive news, work continues on the previously announced packages to plan completion of the Grange and Gawler Greenways and a plan to improve access to the River Torrens Linear Path.
Bike Adelaide would like to pass on our thanks to the DIT team for taking proactive steps to engage and to provide us with the opportunity to share this information with you.
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- There is hope for a shared-use path to connect the Tapa Martinthi Yala Bikeway to St Kilda. Salisbury council is working through complex arrangements to use a direct existing route and also have a plan B in place. Our advocacy letter. Information on a possible route from a local rider
- Salisbury council is continuing to work on the underpasses at Dry Creek and Little Para River to provide a path that is accessible for greater periods throughout the year. They are also considering alternate routing which is required to provide all-weather access
- We have written to the Ministers responsible for Transport, Infrastructure, Recreation, Sport and Environment requesting a meeting (Minister Wingard and Minister Speirs)
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The end of throttle controlled E-Bikes?
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Ebikes in Australia have had to conform with one of two standards being a 250-watt ‘pedalec’ or a 200-watt throttle. While most bikes sold conform with the 250-watt pedelec standard there are many bikes sold under the 200 watt throttle standard, particularly lower-priced bikes and those often best suited to older riders or riders with a disability who might not be able to pedal easily or for an entire journey
Buried within recent federal government document Motor Vehicle Standards (Road Vehicles) Amendment Determination (No. 1) 2021 released on Monday 11th January are amendments to legislation that appear to ban 200 watt throttle controlled ebikes. Check out the determination here.
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The new footbridge crossing South Road at Pym St is on its way. While big road projects can divide communities, bridges like this can encourage active transport. We can think of a few more spots that could do with a big bridge.
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Join Bike Adelaide and add your voice to the call for improved infrastructure for all cyclists
Stay up to date with everything 'bike-riding related' in Adelaide and beyond as it happens by following us on Facebook.
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Pedal Update is a newsletter of Bike Adelaide Inc., published monthly. Bike Adelaide is incorporated in South Australia. Material published in Pedal Update is copyright unless otherwise stated. Articles and graphics may be copied and republished by non-profit organisations, provided the author and Pedal Update are given credit. When by lines are used, opinions published in Pedal Update are not necessarily those of Bike Adelaide
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