[bikeqld] following the dream ... or challenging the road engineers

[Michael Yeates]

Hi ...

Some of you may know that the "yellow BIKE" symbol concept was 
developed in Brisbane (way back) in 1995-6 and is/was based on 
preliminary conceptual work in Denver Colorado ... the first of the 
"yellow BIKEs" were installed in Brisbane in about 1997 ... despite 
extreme opposition from Main Roads department and quite a few cyclists ...!

Interesting then to see how the Denver message of "Sharing the 
Streets" has developed ... as compared to here in Brisbane ... and 
throughout Queensland where some of the local authorities (eg Gold 
Coast, Noosa, Caloundra, Toowoomba etc) implemented various 
applications ... some very good examples ... despite Main Roads 
opposition which can still be seen in the Main Roads policy documents 
... although perhaps amalgamation with QT will finally end the opposition.

The following links may be of interest ...

http://washingtonparkprofile.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=823&Itemid=41

http://www.denverlivingstreets.org/

The recently adopted "Shared Arrow" or "Sharrow" in the USA is based 
on the Denver experience as well as drawing on our experiences and 
applications here ... pity is though, we in Australia seem to be 
falling in the trap of endorsing more bike paths and expensive road 
projects, which are unnecessary with successful application of "Share 
the Road".

Little wonder the motoring industry in Australia is celebrating 
massive sales successes ... as vast amounts of scarce (?) funds are 
able to be found for more and bigger roads ... but not for light rail 
or even for "Sharing the Road" projects.

Can we learn from the USA? Are we prepared to challenge the road 
engineers or continue go along with them?

MY....................