Hi People,

Just a couple of comments that may help resolve communications with Main Roads. Main Roads provide roads through built up areas as well as highways through and between cities and towns. When it comes to "bike Lanes" versus "road shoulders", there is a law difference but basically the road width standard for cyclists according to the speed limit is the same. 2m road shoulders indicate speeds at 80kmh or more.

1. Bicycle Lanes are for cyclists only. Cars must not stop or travel on bicycle lanes. Generally there is space for car parking.
2. Road shoulders provide space for cyclists on roads that may or not be kerbed. Widths depend on the speed environment. Motorists may stop
(change a tyre etc) on a road shoulder. Generally there is no space for car parking.
3. Bicycle lanes are marked on both sides of the lane and are part of the "road".
4. Road shoulders outside the edge line are part of the "road related area" and not part of the road. However the sealed width is there for cyclists, a space for motorists to stop in the case of breakdown, added safety for fast traffic especially trucks and buses.

Cycling advocacy for cyclists riding on highways, duplicated roads with higher speed limits etc requires provision on two fronts - (a) on-road cycling and (b) off-road cycling. It seems that sometimes Main Roads is not explaining itself very well and cyclists don't see outside the square..

Suggestions:-

1. When Main Roads offer road shoulders as an option for adult, fast, commuter and racing cyclists, ask for improvements such as continuity of the shoulder such as approach bike lanes at intersections, continuity of road shoulder through roundabouts, bicycle push buttons at minor roads in a signalized intersection and approach bicycle lanes. These are the facilities that Main Roads will do on highways and high speed roads and these are very successful here in Cairns.

2. Because Main Roads is reluctant to tolerate children, inexperienced and recreational cyclists and provide bicycle lanes on roads and highways, then Main Roads is compelled to provide alternate facilities such as an adjacent bike path or upgrade alternate roads with bike lanes in a slower speed limit. When road upgrades occur, bike paths should be part of the planning and funding which may include underpasses, pedestrian crossings etc. This was accomplished in the Reservoir Rd/Kamerunga Brinsmead Rd duplication in Cairns.

For specific information buy a HEMA Cairns and Region Commercial Road Map. Bike paths are indicated with red dots. Follow the dots along this route and you will also see the underpasses marked. (might need a magnifying glass) Take this to Main Roads and show them what the "Peninsula District of Main Roads" has done and ask for the same.

Saying that we don't want children riding on highways is not productive. We have the same mentality around road to path connections. We don't want pedestrians crossing the road. We don't want cyclists crossing the road. This type of thinking must be counter balanced with practical suggestions that take the safety of all users into consideration, motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and people with disabilities.

When CBUG went to Main Roads and viewed the plans for the upgrading and duplication of Reservoir Rd and Brinsmead Kamerunga Rd through Cairns suburbs, I went armed with two highlighters. With one I marked the continuity of the on-road travel for cyclists highlighting intersections and the other the continuity of the off-road travel for pedestrians and cyclists.

In some locations, an alternate route, if there is one, could be identified with information regarding extra distances and road conditions. Main Roads may have to concede that an adjacent bike path as well as the road shoulders with attention to continuity details is the solution.

In road upgrades that will include road shoulders, go for the functional details:-

1. Continuity of shoulder width through intersections and roundabouts.
2. Continuity of shoulder width over bridges and railway lines.
3. Bicycle push buttons at minor roads in signalized intersections.
4. No straight ahead travel through left turn lanes. Continuous bike lanes needed at T intersections.
5. Adequate road/highway crossings for cyclists - road to path connections.
6. Are there any brick walls such as no road crossing to access another bike route.
7. Cyclists cross here signs, at diversions.
8. Bike route signs and warning signs at squeeze points.

I'd be interested to know your comments because this is not just local stuff, it is the engineering expertise that affects all Queenslanders.

And of course we have the bikeability toolkit from the BFA. Looks pretty good and could be used to submit an assessment of the plans of any road upgrades. www.travelsmart.gov.au/bikeability/index.html and click on "route based checklist".

Ben - Please accept our apology for non-attendance at the bug bikeability seminar - and thanks for the offer of accommodation - pity it didn't come with a plane ticket. Anyhow I have saved the bikeability toolkit from the internet to my computer and I will use it even though I haven't been to a workshop. Any active advocacy people out there will be able to do the same.

thanks

Lenore Evans Secretary Cairns Bicycle User Group
4054 1756
17 Gordon St, Earlville, Cairns 4870 www.cairnsbug.org