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The whole tone of the BQ missal is for cyclists not to rock the boat,
be happy with what is thrown at you. I couldn't agree more with the
sentiment of riding carefully down there regardless of how things are
configured but BQ seem to be totally happy with the quality of the work
and safety layout down there and simply justify it by reminding us all
how good things are going to be.<br>
<br>
I think things can be made good in a manner that complies with the
safety codes, there is not need to justify cutting corners on that sort
of compliance by reminding us that it will be all worth it in the end.
I think that if things are dangerous then something needs to be said,
it goes without saying that we need to ride carefully under these or
other more favourable circumstances.<br>
<br>
I have penned in a few <font color="#ff0000">comments</font> in the
context of the memo below.<br>
<br>
k<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Ian Lister wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:20090508105805.M1484@singha.lister.id.au"
type="cite">BQ is asking for the notice below to be circulated as
widely as possible (well, within Brisbane I guess).
<br>
<br>
Ian
<br>
<br>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
<br>
Bicentennial bikeway: UPDATE Friday 8 May 2009
<br>
<br>
<br>
Remember, there are two projects causing disruptions nearly beside each
<br>
other. One has been going on for months (Hale Street Bridge) and
another
<br>
started late April: the 400m bikeway diversion around a section of the
<br>
bikeway about to be upgraded
<br>
<br>
BOTH offer cycling benefits: Hale Street will rebuild the bikeway to a
<br>
better standard and give a bike link across the river <font
color="#ff0000">(I thought the cyclists got to use the footpaths on
the old grey st bridge as part of this project)</font>, while the
second
<br>
project is an straight out upgrade of the existing bikeway from 3 to 5
<font color="#ff0000">(I think more correctly the bikes retain the 3m
as it was originally designed but peds get a 2m walkway on the
riverside but the aditional 2m for the peds is paid out of the 100m
bikeways budget, no?)</font><br>
metres. Great!
<br>
<br>
1. Hale Street problems
<br>
<br>
This is a worksite with traffic control to manage the bikeway and
machinery
<br>
movements.
<br>
<br>
The pressure is really on the cycling community to work on our cobbers
to
<br>
not have this section turned into a compulsory DISMOUNT and walk!
<br>
<font color="#ff0000">(I think there is a bit of pressure too on the
contractors to design things by the book, the book is based on the
deaths and bad experiences of past cycling experience and it would be a
shame and a disrespect to ignore that)</font><br>
Unfortunately some riders and some pedestrians have ignored traffic
<br>
controllers instructions, or ridden too fast through the site which has
led
<br>
to a risk assessment of the site by contractors and a demand that,
unless
<br>
everybody complies better - all riders will have to dismount and walk!
We
<br>
disagree with this, but please don't let this happen!
<font color="#ff0000">(Workplace Health and Safety should have done a
safety audit of the site without bias to the contractors or the
pedestrians and cyclists. I think you might find the contractors risk
assessment a little one sided. How many problems have they had to
address based on complaints from the public. These all should have
showed up in their mandatory safety assessment, but obviously did not
or were ignored. The still have many dangerous strike risks there for
both pedestrians and cyclits that are just blatantly wrong. The West
End Side is a nighmare too. Has any cyclist noticed that the bike lane
on Merrivale St right adjacent to the contractors site office has
simply been covered over with New Jersey style plastic barriers without
any warning sign for cyclists or motorists, no notice boards or
warnings on the HSL site from Council to warn of the closure only
mention of a moved bus stop, no night time warning either.)</font><br>
</blockquote>
<blockquote cite="mid:20090508105805.M1484@singha.lister.id.au"
type="cite"><br>
This would be a disaster for all. BQ can't control a selfish minority
who
<br>
disobey directions or civility, and we know at times it is very
<br>
inconvenient, <font color="#ff0000">(how about dangerous,
non-compliant, illegal, bodgy too?)</font> but we hope that people will
chill out and encourage everyone
<br>
to take it EASY <font color="#ff0000">(sure take it slowly, but its
never EASY when things are not done as they should be)</font> through
the site so that a dismount and walk situation does
<br>
not result.
<font color="#ff0000">(that outcome assumes that other outcomes like
the site being made compliant are not likely)</font><br>
<br>
So please tell your friends and work buddies to chill out and go SLOW
<br>
through the Hale Street worksite.
<br>
<br>
Recreational riders and even some commuters might be better either
using the
<br>
road <font color="#ff0000">(now there is a 40kph work zone there on
the road that was totally ignored by traffic and police alike, I
suspect that motorists will get agro with cyclists there even if they
are going close on 40kph)</font> or going via the Eleanor Schonell
Bridge and Annerley Rd <font color="#ff0000">(don't forget that if you
are going to use Annerley Rd that you really need to use the 'mixed
bike lane/ BAZ' becasue the off-road 'facility' that BCC shows on their
maps is also currently dug up with works at the top of the hill and by
the Boggo Rd entrance, again no prior warning signs to cyclists of
this closure. The inbound 'off road facility' aka the inbound footpath
is a dog legged obstacle bound 800mm wide strip of concrete. BCC are
kinda vague about what and where the off road faciltiy really is and
there is a distinct lack of any signage to connect it with the bridge
aside from one at the top of the outbound side)</font> South Bank
<br>
- a good alternate bike route <font color="#ff0000">(perhaps just an
alternative bike route rather than a good one? If this is BQ's idea of
a good route, I am left gobsmacked)</font> to the city from the outer
west.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
2. bicentennial bikeway widening project
<br>
<br>
The good news is this project is only 6 weeks in duration (<font
color="#ff0000">like the sewer works were?)</font> and will result in
<br>
a great new bikeway of 5 metres replacing the current narrow 3 metres.
But
<br>
over the next 6 weeks - apart from taking a different route (see above)
<br>
riders will have to deal with the narrow <font color="#ff0000">(a lot
wider than many of our bikeways tho)</font> 400-metre temporary
boardwalk.
<font color="#ff0000">(is that boardwalk or boardride?)</font><br>
<br>
The current diversion of pedestrians up onto the Coronation Drive
footpath
<br>
for this section is working pretty well, with cyclists only allowed
along
<br>
the bikeway's temporary boardwalk diversion. But be aware that it may
have a
<br>
stop/go situation at peak times, and temporary lighting is due to be
<br>
installed soon.
(now that situation has only come about becasue of the stink that was
kicked up about the stupid way that BCC and presumably BQ had arranged
things in the first attempt. I include BQ in that dig because I would
presume that they got involved in what really is a major disruption and
upgrade for cycling facilities. Why did nobody learn from the sewer
works debacle?) <br>
<br>
Again, we ask all cyclists to encourage others to show patience and
<br>
understanding as we will ALL LOSE if riders ignore the directions given
by
<br>
police or traffic controllers.
<font color="#ff0000">(well it really seems that cyclists had lost
from the word go with the initial cycle ban by BCC and it was only due
to their kicking up a stink and not complying with the ridiculous set
up that they won back some rights to ride on a bikeway. And where was
BQ when this ban was happening, walking their bikes along the far side
of Coro Drv? - hardly call that a win)</font><br>
<br>
The bright side is that in six weeks this stage of the path will be
reopened
<br>
and vastly improved! That is great news.
<font color="#ff0000">(Well yes, but its only a short part of the
whole section that needs upgrading, Park Rd is not exactly a big feeder
of cycle traffic. Invariably there will be the same 'cross-over'
problems with pedestrians and cyclists as the path changes from shared
to separated as there is now at the north quay transition and then of
course, the futher '6 week' upgrades to the other needed sections
whenever that happens)</font><br>
<br>
So relax all - and enjoy your cycling and remember that life's better
on a
<br>
bike (even through a worksite!) <font color="#ff0000">(And for heavens
sake don't worry about the lake of safety compliance on the part of the
contractors)</font> And please remember to say a kind word to
<br>
the traffic controllers <font color="#ff0000">(last time I tried that
I got grunted at)</font>... they are doing a thankless <font
color="#ff0000">(some might say needless too)</font> job, and getting
<br>
plenty of flack from pedestrians and cyclists alike. So see if you can
<br>
brighten up their day as well!
<br>
<br>
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<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
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