Cyclists to be given priority under plans to turn Beulah Rd into a bicycle boulevard
CYCLISTS will have right of way over motorists on a popular stretch of Adelaide road if a plan to turn the area into a dedicated bicycle boulevard is adopted.
CYCLISTS would have right of way over motorists on Beulah Rd under a plan to turn the stretch into a dedicated bicycle boulevard.
Under the plan, part of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council's cycling strategy released late last month, the speed limit on Beulah Rd between Portrush and Fullarton roads could be dropped to as low as 30km/h to keep cyclists safe.
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NP&SP Council engaged consultant InfraPlan and Bicycle SA to investigate the most popular cycling routes between the city and outer eastern suburbs and found Beulah Rd was top of the list.
Under the plan, which mimics that first spruiked by Norwood MP Steven Marshall in July 2010, all on-street parking on one side of the strip would be removed to create the bicycle boulevard.
It also called for speed reductions along Beulah Rd, which could be achieved through traffic islands, speed humps or lowering the speed limit.
The report said a 30km/h speed limit would be "desirable" for Beulah Rd, down from 50km/h.
The plan is expected to cost between $50,000 and $300,000.
NP&SP Mayor Robert Bria said the bicycle boulevard - which would need approval from the Transport Department - was a key part of the council's cycling strategy.
"The creation of a bicycle boulevard on Beulah Rd represents the heart of the what this plan is all about," NP&SP Mayor Robert Bria said.
Bicycle SA did not want to comment on the plan because it was a co-author.
But it had backed the plan when it was suggested by Mr Marshall.
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The council's cycling plan also included changes to the layout of bicycle lanes at the intersection of Rundle St and The Parade West, in Kent Town, and Sydenham and Beulah roads, in Norwood, which the Transport Department deemed as dangerous for cyclists.
Crash data compiled by the department revealed the Kent Town intersection was the second worst in Adelaide for cyclist accidents, with the Norwood intersection coming in fifth.
"The plan ensures that these two locations in our city, which have the worst casualty crashes involving cyclists, remain a top priority to be addressed," Mr Bria said.
NP&SP Council has not included any funding for the plan - which cost $47,000 to develop - in its budget.
The council will investigate cost estimates and funding options available as part of its 2014/15 budget.
It also hopes to secure State Government funding to help implement the plan, which was adopted at last month's council meeting.