Stobie pole placed in the middle of bikepath in Bolivar – because apparently it has to go there

Well, it is a shared path ... right? A Stobie pole has been built right in the middle of a bikeway in Adelaide’s north – and SA Power Networks has explained why.

It is a popular new bikepath through Adelaide’s northern suburbs that allows cyclists to safely ride, away from busy motorways.

But in a bizarre development, a Stobie pole has been built in the middle of the pathway just north of Globe Derby Park, adjacent to Port Wakefield Road, without any adequate warnings to riders.

SA Power Networks said it was restricted in where it could place electricity poles.

But questions have been raised about why Salisbury Council has not installed safety signs or warning flashing lights around the giant cement pylon, and another located a short distance away just to the side of the path.

The Stobie pole was placed directly in the middle of a bike path in Bolivar. Picture: Facebook

While a workman’s sign is visible at the site, near the Northern Expressway, the pole is also located on a blind corner for cyclists, with loose gravel around it – and is also next to a lake.

A local resident contacted the council’s deputy mayor, Chad Buchanan, late on Friday afternoon about the potential hazard.

Mr Buchanan, whose ward is next to the site, has asked for an urgent briefing from his council’s administration.

He said he was thankful no serious injuries had occurred.

“I was somewhat perplexed looking at the photo a resident sent me and had to go and look for myself,’ he said.

A 7NEWS crew films the bizarrely placed Stobie pole, with the second one visible behind them.

Chad Buchanan with the Stobie pole in the middle of the bikeway.

“Not only was there a huge Stobie pole in the middle of the path, but there is actually two.

“A Stobie pole in the middle of a path certainly brings a new meaning to a ‘shared pathway’. But jokes aside, it’s a genuine safety issue, which I’ve raised with council staff to follow up with relevant authorities.

“At the very least, until a new path is built, I will be asking staff as a matter of priority, to install warning signs and lighting for the safety of cyclists riding at night.”

He had earlier posted a picture of the site on social media early on Sunday, along with a caption: “You had one job”. He also posted a pictogram “emoji” of a person slapping their forehead in frustration.

Describing his mood as “perplexed”, he wrote on his Facebook page: “I thought I’ve seen it all …. Yes, that’s a Stobie pole built in the middle of a shared pathway behind Bolivar.” His post quickly generated much discussion from users who mocked the poles’ locations.

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A variety of opinions were expressed ranging from the incredulous through to backing SAPN. “Only in South Australia,” one wrote.

An SA Power Networks spokesman said the council was aware of the works and that a new pathway would be built once it had finished as soon as possible.

He said the poles were located the maximum distance away across wetlands due to technical constraints.

The Kurralta Park Stobie-pole house – in 2017 the new house was built with garage directly behind a Stobie pole.

“The construction of poles is restricted by the site and infrastructure needs,” he said.

The pathway was built as part of the $867 million Northern Connector project and connects several bikeways to form a 46 km link between Port Adelaide and Gawler.

In 2017, a new home was built with its garage directly behind a Stobie pole, which was later moved to allow the resident to back in and out.