Frome St bikeway ‘creates confusion and conflicts’, peak cycling body says.

THE contentious Frome St bikeway has poorly timed traffic lights, confusing turning arrangements and poor signage, a leading cycling body says.

THE contentious Frome St bikeway has poorly timed traffic lights, confusing turning arrangements and poor signage, a leading cycling body says.

In a letter to former Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood, which has never been made public until now, the Bicycle Institute of SA criticised the design at intersections, suggesting council staff were under a “great deal of pressure to deliver the project quickly and so did not have time to fully consider the options”.

“But the current arrangement creates confusion and possible conflicts between ongoing cyclists and left-turning vehicles,” the body’s president Dr Ian Radbone wrote.

One problem, the body argued, were cyclists travelling at an average speed to 17km/h encountered red lights at every intersection.

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In contrast, those riding along the parallel Pulteney Street instead enjoyed a “green wave” from corresponding traffic lights.

But the body, founded in 1974, insists it is a strong supporter of the bikeway, which officially launched in May in the city’s east.

“We would like to preface these comments by expressing the Bicycle Institute’s thanks for all that you have been doing for cycling in the city, and our admiration for your political bravery in the controversy over the Frome Bikeway,” he wrote.

The Adelaide City Council-built bikeway has reduced two traffic lanes to one, in each direction to allow for kerbside bike lanes.

Debate has raged between motorists and cyclists while the issue dominated the heated Lord Mayoral campaign.

It has delighted cyclists by making their journey safer but frustrated motorists who say traffic congestion is worse, prompting calls for the cement blocks to be ripped out.

wanted to improve an already excellent concept.

Tanya Bacic, the council’s transport strategy team leader, said significant efforts had been made on the bikeway’s design, in particular at the intersections.

“We recognise that there are a number of features that we need to further develop and further improve on,” she wrote.

A review into the bikeway is expected to start next month and will report to the new administration.

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