Toowong - Sylvan Rd - Temporary service cover plate

The on-road bike lane on Sylvan Road at Toowong is shared as an on-road parking facility for cars which present a risk to cyclists but the bike lane also coincides with underground services (probably gas). These services have been worked on by contractors many times in the past and the result is many shallow pits in the pavement surface which have sunken with time. These are not only uncomfortable to ride over but present a risk of unbalancing a cyclist who inadvertently hits the edge of one under conditions of poor light or wet. The most recent works along the inbound side of the road as of September 07 by Origin have left a large and smooth steel plate about 3 sq metres that stands about 40mm high on one corner and takes up well over half the width of the bikelane.

This is a huge risk for cyclists who may hit the edge at a glancing angle whilst trying to avoid some other hazard such as a bus or car causing them to be throw from their bike or if the rider is forced onto or inadvertently finds their way onto this smooth steel plate in the wet, it will be like riding on ice, not to mention the discomfort of mounting the 40mm step inadvertently.

The problem/risk was brought to the attention of Council's Assets Manager early in October 07 pointing out that this area was probably one of the most heavilly trafficked bike lanes in Brisbane and that this was a blatant risk to cyclists. The Manager did respond quite promptly and reported that the plate was placed there by Origin as part of their service works along Sylvan Rd. The Assets Manager reported the risk to Origin. The outcome and the timing are unknown as of 29 Oct 07.

Update: As of the beginning of November 07 the metal plate was duly removed as promised. The incident was then reported to the Active Transport Unit of the BCC suggesting that they might like to assert more control over what contractors can do on a bikeway and seeing that they are fully aware of the liabilities and dangers they may pose. ATU admitted that they had little control over what contractors did on their facilities but said they would look to improve that.