Bicycle Network: Roadies
Issues That Impact Your Riding
Smile for the camera this weekend - October 2012
Beach Road, Melbourne’s most popular training destination, will have its annual vehicle/rider count this weekend.
The count has been an annual occurrence since 2005 that sees all riders and cars that pass a fixed point on Beach Rd counted over a 48 hour period. Last year saw 21,397 riders pass the recording station between Saturday 24 September and Sunday 25 September and the key time bracket of 6-10am on the Sunday saw a staggering number of 4,171 riders pass compared to only 818 vehicles.
So the weekend of 6-7 October, make sure you smile for the cameras while you ride along Beach Rd.
The invisible cyclist re-appears II - September 2012
A recent article by Beau Donelly focuses on Bayside City Council’s recent decision to enforce the 6am-10am Saturday and Sunday clearways along Beach Road (Route 33) after an 18 month trial that is seen as a big win for cyclists.
The article also raised the issue of the 'invisible cyclist' by bringing to light a number of interesting statistics about accidents involving cyclists. This comes on the back of a survey (which we encourage all cyclists to complete) by the Department of Justice on behalf of the Ministerial Council for Road Safety where a crude attempt is made to imply bike riders are to blame when drivers collide with them.
The statistics in the article come from a study for Monash University's Accident Research Centre and Alfred Health that has come to some interesting conclusions and raises the need for more research into reducing the risk for cyclists on and off the road.
Some of the studies results are:
- increased use of bike lights may have a benefit in reducing crash severity, and
- additional education of drivers of motor vehicles about road rules and other measures (including road designs) that reduce the risk of driver-rider interaction may prove beneficial
The invisible cyclist re-appears - September 2012
The spectre of the invisible cyclist, who appears out of nowhere and crashes into law abiding motorists, has made an alarming reappearance, this time in the latest State Government road safety initiative. Yes, its all our fault, apparently. There are many important issues raised which deserve your input.
Let the government know your view.
Purpose Built Criterium Courses - August 2012
The sport of cycling is growing in popularity within Australia. At the same time, Australian cyclists like Simon Clarke and Cadel Evans are finding success on the world stage. So a proposal to construct a purpose-built criterium course to encourage the growing popularity of the sport is a great idea.
Anything that helps grow and widen the sport's participation and ultimately help make it a mainstream community activity should be welcomed.
Naturally any plan should be subject to a proper cost-benefit analysis so that the misallocation of scare resources is avoided. It should also come as part of a bigger plan for location, development and funding of criterium circuits at a number of locations across the Metropolitan Melbourne area.
The Kew Boulevard 'Teardrop' - August 2012
A small section of Melbourne’s second most popular training ground, Kew’s Yarra Boulevard, is about to receive a facelift. Used for racing and training, the infamous 'teardrop' near Studley Park Road will see fresh hotmix applied to its worst sections. The resurfacing will make a physically demanding loop a little more pleasant to ride and race. Work on the loop is planned to commence during the 2012/2013 summer.
Bayside Council to go all the way. Maybe. - May 2012
A core group of supportive Bayside City councillors have submitted a rescission motion so the successful Beach Road 'No Stopping' zones can be locked in permanently. On May 8, Council voted in support of the No Stopping zones, but only for another twelve months. While this was a welcome result for the tens of thousands of Victorians who ride Beach Road every weekend there was general disbelief the council hadn't locked the changes in permanently.
Albert Park uninterrupted- November 2011
Bicycle Network Victoria negotiated with Parks Vic and the organisers of the Australian Grand Prix to get the gated road on Lakeside Drive changed to a shorter gate and bollard so that roadies can complete the Albert Park loop without the inconvenience of veering onto the path and navigating the bollards.