Expert report finds proposed East-West Bikeway poses threat to public safety outside churches, schools

An expert report has found a proposed $6m city bikeway threatens safety outside churches and schools.

Greek Orthodox Community of SA president Bill Gonis beside the existing bike lane on Franklin Street. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

A proposed $6m city bikeway will endanger schoolchildren and other pedestrians, especially elderly churchgoers, according to an expert report.

The Greek Orthodox Community of SA and St Mary’s College commissioned the report following a decision by Adelaide City Council to consult the public about the East-West Bikeway from Franklin Street to Hutt Street.

In her report, traffic consultant Melissa Mellen said the two organisations had legitimate concerns about the impact of the bikeway on public safety and access to a school, two churches and a bingo hall.

Ms Mellen said “a number of factors had not been addressed” with the proposed bikeway route, which featured a dog-leg between Flinders Street and Wakefield Street.

Proposed route for the East-West Bikeway through the Adelaide CBD. Picture: Adelaide City Council

“Disappointedly, the safety of vulnerable road users other than cyclists is a key consideration that has been omitted from the assessment,” she said.

“It is my view that inadequate investigations have been completed to be able to confirm the safest and best practice solution for the East-West Bikeway.”

Ms Mellen said cyclists could pose dangers to St Mary’s College pupils entering and leaving the school or getting onto buses for excursions.

Other safety threats were posed to people attending church services, weddings, funerals and christenings at the Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel Creek Orthodox Church, along with hundreds of predominantly elderly people who played bingo in an adjacent hall.

“Of particular note is that there has been no road safety audit conducted on the design,” it said.

“Further, the design approach does not include any consideration for the safety of other road users.

The existing bikelane which goes up Franklin Street between the Greek Orthodox churches, bingo hall and St Mary’s College.. Picture: Colin James

“This is particularly disappointing, given the number of schools in the vicinity of the proposed treatment and the significant impact the proposal will have on such road users.

“The current proposal would increase pedestrian-cyclist conflict risk for church patrons which is a significant risk for these users.”

Greek Orthodox Community president Bill Gonis said public safety near the bikeway had to become the paramount consideration for the council.

“During the so-called consultation period, Adelaide City Council have not been able to provide any solutions to the concerns which have been raised,” he said.

St Mary’s College principal Clare Nocka said the school had “significant concerns” about the safety of its students and access to parking which needed to be addressed.

“I have not seen any plans that show how our students could safely exit a car and get into school without crossing the bike path – this is not only unsafe for students, it is unsafe for cyclists,” she said.

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said public consultation on the bikeway closed last month.

“We have engaged extensively with the community on this project and all feedback is being considered,” she said