Brighton Rd bike lanes to remain despite businesses’ objections because they make route smoother for trucks

LOCAL traders have long wanted them gone but contentious bike lanes along a busy beachside stretch will stay — despite very few bikes actually using them. The reason they’re to stay might surprise you.

One of the traders who’d like to see the bike lanes gone is Brighton Rd Vet John Calder, pictured here with a 10-week-old client. Picture Campbell Brodie.

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THE controversial Brighton Rd bike lanes will stay in place because they help give trucks and buses a “smoother passage” along the busy route, Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan says.

Traders have been calling on the State Government to remove the bike lanes, between Seacliff Park and Glenelg, to allow customers to park out the front of shops during peak hours.

Brighton Veterinary Clinic owner John Calder conducted a survey in October than found only seven cyclists a week used the northbound bike lane between 7.30am and 9am.

But Mr Mullighan this week said the bike lanes were here to stay.

“Bicycle lanes allow buses and freight vehicles smoother passage and improve visibility for all road users, including pedestrians,” Mr Mullighan said.

“Brighton Rd is classified as a major traffic and freight route in the Adelaide metropolitan area.

“The bicycle lanes provide for a smoother and safer traffic flow during their operating hours through the restriction of on-road parking and by specifically delineating the lanes for different road users.”

The Transport Department installed the lanes in October 2014 under what was meant to be an 18-month trial.

They ban parking on both sides of Brighton Rd, from Seacliff Park to Glenelg, between 7-9am and 4-7pm.

Mr Calder said the bike lanes meant his customers had to carry large sick animals much further to their cars than if they could park out the front of his vet clinic.

“We’ve got clients getting (parking) tickets when they’ve got an emergency,” Dr Calder said.

One elderly client fell over and was knocked unconscious while walking to her car from the vet, Dr Calder said.

Nearby, Brighton Road Podiatry Clinic receptionist Carolyn Dowling said elderly clients with foot problems did not like walking far to their cars or crossing busy Brighton Rd.

“If you have pain, you don’t want to walk a mile down the road,” Ms Dowling said.

Bright Liberal MP David Speirs raised the issue in Parliament last month.

He wanted the bike lanes to go south in the morning and north in the afternoon, freeing up room on one side of the road for parking.

“In an economically fragile time, small businesses along Brighton Rd rely on passing trade pulling over and ducking into shops and this compromise could make the difference in a business remaining open or shutting its doors,” Mr Speirs said.

“Unfortunately, thanks to our anti-business State Government, this bike lane is here to stay.”

In a letter to Mr Speirs, Mr Mullighan said the department had received few complaints about the bike lanes.

He said there were 22 crashes involving cyclists on Brighton Rd between 2010 and 2014, but only one in 2015.

The Transport Department could not provide figures on how many cyclists used the lanes.