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No 29, August 2003
Editor: Catherine Stuart
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.
Cycling for Transport: Bike North launches Link-Up
Bike North is proud to launch an exciting new initiative called “Link Up” for connecting those who already cycle for transport in the Sydney Metropolitan Area, and those who may be interested in trying it out. The aim of this initiative is to make cycling for transport more fun, and to encourage more people to commute to work by bike. The scheme is based at the Bike North website http://www.bikenorth.org.au/. Existing commuter cyclists can log on to the website and enter their contact details, and details of their cycle trips (including start point, start time, destination, distance, arrival time and route details). This information is then entered into a database with trip data from other cycle commuters.
Other cyclists can then search the trip database for details of commuter cyclists who ride along all or part of their route. Through the contact information available in the database people can then make contact. This will enable cyclists to exchange route data or cycle together, allowing new cycle commuters to gather information and gain confi dence. Bike North encourages all commuter cyclists, or prospective commuter cyclists, to have a look at this part of the Bike North website, consider entering their trip details and help others to learn how to commute by bike.
Down the track, Bike North may add incentives for registered commuters. For example, a travel diary feature may be added to allow commuters to log times when they have commuted by bike, to track their commute kilometres and trips made. Awards may be made on a monthly, quarterly, six-montly or annual basis for the cyclist who cycled the most commute kilometres or made the most commute trips by bike.
Parramatta Rail Link Update
Macquarie Park Master Plan
After several years of consultation and working with groups such as the Macquarie Park Community Reference Group (where Bike North has been ably represented by Fran Griffi n) the Macquarie Living Centres team has come to the end of its project. Its fi nal outcome, the draft Macquarie Park is out on exhibition during July.This MasterPlan projects a radically new long term view for the entire Macquarie Park area, to support the arrival of three railway stations on a new railway line. A fi ner mesh of new roads, higher densities and more mixed development particularly around the proposed railway stations, greater priority and encouragement for walking and cycling and disincentives for car transport and parking are all included within this Masterplan. Bike North is examining the details and making sure they match the intent.
Chatswood Station and Rail Trails
CHATSWOOD NORTH
In the April edition of Chain Mail, we reported on the poor prospects of the Chatswood Rail Trail between Chatswood Railway Station and Boundary Road despite all our lobbying over the years. In July, the Parramatta Rail Link people returned with new plans to make provision for the RTA to build this Rail Trail at some future date. While still poor, it is an improvement on the previous plans which could not even provide for a continuous route!
These updated plans make provision for a space along of the western side of the railway line, but only between Boundary Road and William Street and then between Wilson and O’Brien Streets. Between William and Wilson Streets, they expect us to use the footpath to and along the Pacifi c Highway. All the street crossings are at grade, with the latest excuse given that the Police recommend crossing at grade for safety reasons. Apparently, better we be skittled or delayed on the road than a speedy run through a couple of seconds of underpass!
CHATSWOOD STATION
The Government Architect has drawn up a MasterPlan for Chatswood Station which opens up the station area and allows for more level east-west access where the railway line currently blocks easy movement. It’s a very exciting concept but still at an early stage with many issues still to be resolved. Such a plan should ease cycle access from the east and west but it still unclear how well the north and south routes will connect to the station as that planning is not yet well developed.
CHATSWOOD SOUTH
PRL planning also extends to the south of Chatswood Station beyond Albert Street where the widening of the railway line will require a lengthening of the Chatswood Park railway underpass and upgrade of the Frank Channon Walkway. At this stage commitment has not been given for a grade separated crossing of Albert Street. Such a crossing becomes even more important as Willoughby Council is planning to take advantage of the new Albert St Railway Bridge to ease and encourage truck access directly from the Highway to the Retail Shopping Centres.