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Contents
M2 Cyclist Issues UPDATE!	1
A Tale of Two Canals (and One Reservoir)	2
A Blitz Of Young Blades	3
Chatswood to surf and not quite back again.	3
Murphy, the law, and our lore	4
The Legal Side	4
Crank Rites	5
Product Review: Nightlightning Rechargeable Light	5
Making Cycling Better	6
Member Profile	7
Calendar
Other Editions

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.

M2 Cyclist Issues UPDATE!

In the last Chain Mail we reported that the M2 operators has raised some safety concerns and that Bike North was preparing a submission. Further information gathered since then suggests Bike North may need to put together a strong argument to keep the M2 as a direct and quick commuter and training route for local cyclists. The Ryde Council Bicycle Advisory Committee recently met with reps from the Hills motorway and consultants GHD, whose plans to make changes to the M2 seem well advanced.

The pressure for change is from new roads developing to the east (Lane Cove Tunnel) and the west (M7 and M2 to F3 link) which create the opportunity for more vehicles on the M2, and therefore more revenue for the company. The current chokepoint in the morning peak is the toll plaza. The M2 is working to install improved technology allowing for faster E-Tag recognition and distance based tolls may be considered as well.

With toll collection solved the next issue is vehicle capacity. The M2 wish to expand the motorway to 3 lanes either way. Did you think it was strange that the bicycle lane on the M2 was so wide and high quality? It comes as no surprise to learn that only two changes are required to upgrade to 3 lanes of vehicles along the M2. Firstly, some slight changes will be needed in the Epping Tunnel mainly to do with drainage. Secondly, bicycle riders are in the way.

The M2 operators initially raised the issue of cyclists safety on the M2. Despite the obvious conflict at on/off ramps the road is generally much safer than the alternative main roads. There have been a few serious cyclist accidents on the M2, but no fatalities in the history of operation. One serious accident was at the Lane Cove Road dual lane off ramp, which is a tricky location for all users.

When the M2 was being designed and built, Bicycle NSW unsuccessfully campaigned for grade separated on/off ramps and more accesses to/from the facility. These concessions could have been made cheaply at the time but are much more expensive to retro-fit - as the RTA is now doing on the M4.

The Hills Motorway has also suggested that cyclists may be asked to move off the M2 onto either local streets or dedicated off-road cycle facilities. Both of these options have significant down sides and are likely to seriously reduce the benefits of the M2 for cyclists. The first part of the motorway proposed for upgrading to 3 lanes is from the toll plaza to Delhi Road. There has been discussion about replacing cyclist access on this part of the motorway with either the road network through Macquarie Park or a new dedicated off-road cycle facility on the northern side of M2, within the Hills Motorway corridor.

Bike North is writing a submission to the M2 operators about safety issues and requesting that at a minimum 'vibra-lines' should be laid as lane dividers between the bicycle and traffic lanes. 'Vibra-lines' make a loud buzz when car tyres run over them and will help if a car starts to veer to the left.

Bike North is also concerned about the number of cars that pull into the cycle lane to answer their mobile phones and motor bikes and cars driving in the cycle lane.

Bike North has indicated that if an alternate facility is built it must at least match the benefits currently offered to cyclists by the M2. We will preparing a submission on this issue as well.

As this part of the motorway is within Ryde Council the project is currently being actioned through Bike NorthÕs Ryde Working Group. You can find out more information or get involved in this project by joining the Ryde Working Group email list (send request to info@bikenorth.org.au),by contacting the Ryde Convenor, Doug Stewart (9887 1478) or by coming to the meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at Eastwood.