Adelaide City Council’s Frome St bikeway set to stay after independent evaluation

THE controversial Frome St bikeway should be retained because it does not impact on motorists or local businesses, according to an independent evaluation.

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THE controversial Frome St bikeway should be retained because it does not impact on motorists or local businesses, according to an independent evaluation.

Adelaide City Council commissioned the evaluation of the $1.6 million bikeway, which opened last May, after it received complaints from motorists and local businesses about its design.

Frome St was reduced from two traffic lanes to one to make room for the bikeway, parking and planter boxes.

The council commissioned the independent report to determine whether the project should be changed.

“The outcomes of the evaluation suggests that the bikeway has not adversely impacted the local economy, transport efficiency, safety and the general amenity of Frome St,” the report states.

The evaluation found motorists had “experienced some difficulties” since the bikeway opened but they could be largely attributed to the new layout of the street and parking arrangements.

“It is reasonable to assume that after a period of adjustment, many users will adapt to the changed conditions and the degree of difficulty experienced will diminish, such has been the experience with similar bikeway schemes across Australia.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Houssam Abiad had previously proposed the bikeway be altered to return Frome St to two lanes of traffic during peak hours, and allow parking only in off-peak times.

The proposal would require the bikeway to be narrowed and changes made to the current parking arrangements.

But the evaluation found it would not be worth the estimated $350,000 cost.

“Given the evidence with regard to motorist travel times and parking availability … we can see no traffic benefit in the proposed alternative design.”

The council’s Economic and Community Development Committee will debate the evaluations findings at its Tuesday meeting.