Cyclists have right of way over cars Rugby/Porter St bikeway in Unley

A PLAN to prioritise bikes over cars on a popular inner-east cycling route will go ahead despite fears it will spur “irresponsible” riding.

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A PLAN to prioritise bikes over cars on a popular Unley cycling route will go ahead despite fears it will spur “irresponsible” riding.

Councillors voted at a meeting this month to switch give way signs to give priority to cyclists at three intersections on the Rugby/Porter St bikeway, as well as to redesign the Edmund Ave roundabout, as part of a $180,000 upgrade.

The changes are designed to improve cycling safety by giving riders priority on the route, which runs between Unley and Cross roads and is used by 700 people a day.

At the meeting, Parkside resident Andrea Harran and some Unley councillors argued switching right-of-way would encourage cyclists to speed through the intersections, endangering themselves, motorists and pedestrians.

Mrs Harran told councillors that cyclists already ignored give way signs and rode “way too fast” through the Porter St/Young St intersection.

A cyclist uses the Porter St bikeway in Unley. Picture: Roger Wyman

“I have had so many near misses as it is, I just cannot see how this is going to work,” Mrs Harran told the meeting.

Parkside ward councillor Mike Hudson agreed, saying the council should be trying to slow down — rather than speed up — cyclists on the corridor.

“I think we need to put in barriers or disincentives to stop irresponsible cyclists,” Cr Hudson said.

“I have spoken to many of my residents, and let me tell you, they are not happy possums.”

However, the majority of councillors disagreed, voting 10:2 to approve the works.

Cr Michael Hewitson, an avid cyclist who advocated for the right-of-way changes, said the upgrade would encourage more people to use the bikeway.

“This is about the major north-south bike corridor being safe and usable,” Cr Hewitson said.

“If it is not usable, then Unley Rd gets used.”

Unley Bike User Group chairman Terry Tysoe also welcomed the changes.

“If we are going to have these cycle routes, then it makes sense to give priority to bicycles,” Mr Tysoe said.

Work on the upgrade was expected to start by the middle of the year.