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No 26, February 2003
Editors: Catherine Stuart, Fran Griffin
Production: Keith Griffin
The views expressed in Chain Mail articles are those of the authors only and do not necessarily represent either the common views shared by a majority of Bike North members, or Bike North policy as formulated by the Bike North Executive Committee.
State Election
The NSW State Election is on Saturday March 22nd. Over the next few weeks your political representatives are more open to your issues, they will be listening to you.
Right now is the time to ask your local electoral candidates where they stand on cycling issues and what they can do for you as a cyclist. This is an opportunity to raise the profile of cyclists with the electoral candidates and potential state representatives. So when they come knocking on your door, or you see them campaigning around your area, ask them, ‘what can they do for cyclists?’ and raise local cycling issues that are important to you. Alternatively write to them and the Minister/Shadow Ministers for Roads and Transport about cycling issues.
Bicycle NSW has produced a policy document that outlines the steps needed to improve conditions for people wanting to cycle for transport and recreation. This has been presented to those handling the Roads and Traffic portfolio on both sides of government but so far the response from neither side has been positive. For further detail refer to the next copy of Push On in Australian Cyclist.
Current Record?
Conditions for cyclists in Sydney are not good. The environment on main roads is very unfriendly, motorists do not want to share, roads are often not designed or maintained with the interests of cyclists in mind and there are simply not enough good alternatives.
This situation is the result of a great many years of neglect by both sides of government. In 1999, the current government released Action for Bikes, BikePlan 2010. Included in this plan are a series of regional bike routes over Sydney. Bike North considers this plan would have been excellent if it were to be completed by 2003, not 2010. Far more regional routes are needed simply to catch up.
To its credit, the majority of projects listed are being completed on or close to schedule. Millions of dollars are being spent on some major engineering projects right now. For example, check out the M4 Viaduct project with its underpasses of the Railway and bridges over James Ruse Drive and Duck River. What is especially refreshing is to see the vastly increased standard of this route to earlier routes such as the Parramatta Liverpool Rail Trail opened in 2000.
Here are some issues for you to consider raising with your candidates:
Off Road / On Road
Off road cycleways are good and clearly the standard is rising, There are places where off road cycleways are much needed, but is this always the best and most cost effective way to improve cycling conditions? While off road routes offer separation from motor vehicles they raise other issues such as intersecting with road facilities and mixing with pedestrian modes. Resolution of these issues demands a high standard of cycleway, usually expensive, more so than if the cycle facility is built as part of the road carriageway. Are these major engineering projects perhaps at the expense of a great many more kilometres of much cheaper on-road facilities? Current policy appears to be almost entirely focussed on building off road facilities. On road facilities can be just as safe and in certain conditions are safer and more usable than off road. What do you think??
Eastwood to Hornsby Rail Trail
BikePlan 2010 does not include any regional route from Eastwood to Hornsby. Pennant Hills Road is very cycle unfriendly and the alternative back roads are narrow, busy and very hilly which is not a good combination. Bike North has long advocated that the easement of the Main Northern Railway be used for a high quality cycleway. Why has this route not been included on BikePlan 2010?
Chatswood to Hornsby Rail Trails
A regional route is planned from Chatswood to Hornsby under BikePlan 2010 along the railway line, but not until 2009/2010. Why do we have to wait so long? There are a great many cyclists living on the North Shore but, due to the rugged terrain, so few places to cycle that are suitable for the majority of cyclists. This is one place in Sydney where on road alternatives suitable for all cyclists do not appear to be feasible. This cycle route needs to be underway now before the railways sells off much more available land!
Bike Lockers at Railway Stations
Bike and train are a great combination for travel provided the facilities are there to support these modes. Bike lockers have been installed at many stations but very few in the northern areas of Sydney despite many requests. Those at Epping and Hornsby are very much in demand, whereas many lockers remain under utilised in other areas of Sydney. Bike lockers need to be located where they are needed and they are needed in Northern Sydney. So chat to your candidates, talk about the issues and help raise the profile of cycling among our politicians. And finally, don’t forget to ride to the polling booth!!