| Members' letters to City of Perth about Trafalgar bridge BTA member Alan Bax tackled the City of Perth over the Trafalgar Bridge issue and has received the following reply:
Question 1: Can you please advise the outcome of discussions between City of Perth and Department of Planning and Infrastructure Cycling Unit representatives regarding the use of Trafalgar Bridge by cyclists?
Answer: The Chief Executive Officer responded that representatives from the Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) and the City met on 4 January 2006 to discuss the issues that resulted in the City imposing a ban on cycling across Trafalgar Bridge. The DPI has requested that the City reconsider the ban and have proposed a trial involving an awareness campaign in an attempt to alert cyclists to the concerns of pedestrians who use the bridge and promote the safe sharing of the bridge by all users.The Council will consider the DPI's proposal at its meeting on 21 February 2006.
Question 2: In particular, can you please advise if the City of Perth intends to continue issuing infringement notices to cyclists that ride across the bridge?
Answer: The Chief Executive Officer responded that until determined otherwise the ban on cycling across Trafalgar Bridge remains in place and infringements may be issued for non compliance with the Local Law.
Question 3: I understand that "chicanes" were installed at both ends of the bridge in an attempt to improve safety by slowing down cyclists. Although the chicanes do slow cyclists down, I believe that they actually increase the risk of an accident. The chicanes are extremelydifficult for cyclist to negotiate and have created a hazard for cyclists. They also increase the risk of an accident by squeezing pedestrians and cyclists through the small gap. Will the City of Perth consider removal or modification of the chicanes to remove this hazard?
Answer: The Chief Executive Officer responded that the City is aware of the problems associated with the use of chicanes and will review them once the DPI's proposal has been considered.
From: Alan Bax
Sent: Tuesday, 3 January 2006 12:06 PM
To: 'alannah-mactiernan@dpc.wa.gov.au'
Cc: 'cycling@dpi.wa.gov.au'; 'bta_wa@hotmail.com'
Subject: FW: Use of the Trafalgar Road Footbridge by Cyclists
Dear Minister,
Attached is a copy of the letter received from the City of Perth in response to my query regarding cyclist restrictions on the Trafalgar footbridge.
I believe that the City of Perth's proposed "solution" to the alleged safety problem will increase the risk of injury to cyclists and is unacceptable.
Can your department review the situation and commence measures to reinstate the Trafalgar footbridge as part of the Perth Bicycle Network?
Regards
Alan Bax
Read the Council's letter
______________________________________________
From: Alan Bax
Sent: Thursday, 15 December 2005 11:28 AM
To: 'alannah-mactiernan@dpc.wa.gov.au'
Subject: Use of the Trafalgar Road Footbridge by Cyclists
Dear Minister,
City of Perth rangers have recently issued infringement notices for cyclists riding across the Trafalgar Road footdridge in Claisebrook Cove, East Perth.
The bridge is part of the Perth Bicycle Network (ref: http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/pbn/index.html ). This is the only section (that I'm aware of) in the entire Perth Bicycle Network where cyclists are not able to ride.
The EPRA Fact Sheet (Claisebrook Village, East Perth Fact Sheet #1) states; "The Trafalgar Road footbridge stretches across Claisebrook Cove carrying pedestrian and cycle traffic as well as power, telecommunications and lighting services".
The action being taken by the City of Perth appears to be contrary to the stated objectives of both the EPRA and the DPI.
Can your department please review the situation and advise on what grounds the City of Perth is able issue infringement notices and whether it is possible to change this policy?
Regards
Alan Bax
Letter to City of Perth from Bill Parker.
To whom it concerns
I have been cycling around the river foreshores north and south for many years for fitness purposes. I note with some concern that the City of Perth has seen fit to ban cycling on the Trafalgar Bridge. I believe the measures taken are draconian and to deploy police officers, DPI officers and council employees to "act tough" is just unacceptable.
The City of Perth does not appear to take the proper construction and signage of cycle ways seriously ( as compared to South Perth City Council).
The bridge in question has no markings, no advice to "keep left" and is treated by pedestrians as if it were a pedestrian only pathway. The inevitable will and has happened.
I wish to make the strongest suggestion that the City of Perth firstly attend to proper signage ON the bridge , mark a central delineation and remove the mid way chicane because it only exacerbates the problem.
Further, I want to suggest the in the area of high traffic on the cycle/pedstrian path between ( east of) Barrack Square and Plain street the pathway be widened and marked as above "keep left" and central lane marking. As a courtesy to tourists (mostly Japanese), the keep left marking might be in their language as well.
To pursue the current line of thinking will only antagonize people. There are better ways.
Bill Parker
Letter to Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, contributed by Alan Bax.
Dear Minister,
City of Perth rangers have recently issued infringement notices for cyclists riding across the Trafalgar Road footdridge in Claisebrook Cove, East Perth.
The bridge is part of the Perth Bicycle Network (ref: http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/pbn/index.html ). This is the only section (that I'm aware of) in the entire Perth Bicycle Network where cyclists are not able to ride.
The EPRA Fact Sheet (Claisebrook Village, East Perth Fact Sheet #1) states; "The Trafalgar Road footbridge stretches across Claisebrook Cove carrying pedestrian and cycle traffic as well as power, telecommunications and lighting services".
The action being taken by the City of Perth appears to be contrary to the stated objectives of both the EPRA and the DPI.
Can your department please review the situation and advise on what grounds the City of Perth is able issue infringement notices and whether it is possible to change this policy?
Regards
Alan Bax
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