[bikeqld] Rail pedestrian crossings and cycling.

[Norm Morwood]

Does anyone know the rules applying to cycling across rail level
crossings, that is the ones that are specially provided for pedestrians?
We have one at Woombye that saves following the road that crosses under
the rail line an extra half km. There is a chicane at one end that makes
it difficult but not impossible to stay on the bike and a break in the
fence on the other side that is natural to ride straight thru. There are
signs at both ends saying to check for trains before crossing.

We had some security blokes camped there all day yesterday and today. I
had a chat to them and they said they were helping people to cross the
tracks safely. Specifically chatting up those who shortcut from the
station platform along the tracks and then across instead on staying
within the yellow lines. They said they were educating people as opposed
to the police who would come soon and book people who crossed
incorrectly.

I asked about riding across as I normally do and they said it was
illegal, I must dismount and walk across for my own safety and not to
incur a fine. I pointed out that it did not seem safer that way, but
they thought I (or some young kids) might fly across and fall off in
front of a train.

It looked a bit like a footpath to me on which I would be allowed to
ride, but they assured me it was not. It is a crossing just like a zebra
or signalled crossing.

Not sure how many of these things there are. These blokes assured me I'd
have to climb the steps over a new overhead crossing before long.
(Despite the plan to double the rail line through to Nambour by 2026
when the plan is for a road overpass instead of the crappy low height
underpass that is there now.)

They counted 21 trains through the crossing on the day (8 to 4) and only
2 school children walking across the crossing. Now I think about it I
suppose there were other pedestrians as well, but I don't know how many.

Regards, Norm.
07 5442 2916, 0409 63 99 44
140 Blackall Range Rd Woombye Qld  4559
Disclaimer:     Overall Energy consumption Japan 1999 (kWh per 100
person-km) 

Car 68, Bus 19, Rail 6, Air 51, Sea 57.

http://www.withouthotair.com/download.html