State Government close to solution for cyclists falling off bikes crossing tram tracks at Jetty Rd, Glenelg

CYCLISTS are falling off their bikes in droves trying to cross tram tracks on Jetty Rd, but it looks like an answer could be just around the corner.

Gareth Williams says he sees about four or five people fall off their bikes at this spot in Glenelg each week. Picture: Matt Loxton.

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AN UNSAFE part of Jetty Rd where countless cyclists have crashed might soon be fixed.

Cyclists have to awkwardly negotiate around the platform for tram stop 16, crossing from the left into the middle of the tracks.

Many get their wheels stuck in a groove next to the track and fall of in front of cars or trams.

Gareth Williams, the manager of Extreme Boardriders, which is near the tram stop, estimates between four and five cyclists fall each week.

“I think it’s extremely bad,” Mr Williams said.

“It’s something that needs to be seen to especially as it’s a tourist area here.”

Mr Williams keeps a first aid kit in his shop in case of accidents.

“I’m a cyclist myself and I don’t even go on Jetty Rd because of it,” he said.

“I go on the footpath and then people on the footpath get angry at me.”

The platform extends into Jetty Rd to make it accessible for people with disabilities.

Jetty Rd forms the last part of the 10km Mike Turtur Bikeway from the city to Glenelg, which is popular with tourists and commuters. The wider platform was installed four years ago after a campaign by local disability advocates.

Gareth Williams rides around tram stop 16 on Jetty Rd, Glenelg pic.twitter.com/SYVYuiOUXe

— Eugene Boisvert (@eugeneboisvert) April 4, 2016

Online cycling forums are rife with stories of riders who have fallen off near the tram stop.

Nick Andrew, of West Beach, said he was going about 30km/h and then “got my wheel caught in the tram tracks … and hit the deck like a tonne of bricks” when he misjudged the gap.

“Before the crash, I had actually factored this in and had thought I had the correct measures in place not to do exactly what I did,” Mr Andrew said.

“But no. It happened and it happened in a spectacular blaze of glory.”

The tram corridor is the Transport Department’s responsibility, although the rest of Jetty Rd belongs to Holdfast Bay Council.

A department spokesman said it was “evaluating a solution that is being used successfully at level crossings in Europe”.

“We are currently reviewing its applicability and will be happy to provide more information as it progresses,” he said.

One solution used in Germany is for rubber or plastic to be placed into the gap between the rail and the road. Bikes ride across it smoothly but trams are heavy enough to push it down.

Holdfast Bay Mayor Stephen Patterson said the council would support the Transport Department in “implementing an appropriate solution in the near future”.

Have you come into trouble at this spot? Leave your comment below.