Safest and most dangerous roads for Adelaide cyclists revealed

The most dangerous roads in Adelaide for cyclists – and safest – have been revealed in a new list from thousands of submissions.

Flowers were left at Wattle St, Unley, at the scene of a crash that claimed the life of a cyclist. Picture: George Yankovich

Three major CBD streets are the most dangerous areas for cyclists, a new survey reveals, with the risk of ‘car dooring’ the number one problem.

Franklin Street, Frome Street and Grenfell Street are considered the top three most unsafe places to ride a bike in Adelaide.

Car dooring risk, lack of bike lanes and links and dangerous intersections are the reasons cyclists gave.

Montefiore Rd in North Adelaide, as well as Pirie St and Waymouth and Morphett streets, Adelaide, were also in the top 10, because of their dangerous intersections.

It comes after a 53-year old cyclist died in Fullarton on Wednesday morning after a car door opened and knocked him into the path of a car driving past.

CCTV vision from a neighbouring house showed the passenger of a parked car opening their door into the bike lane, at which point the cyclist was swept underneath the Mercedes and dragged more than 10 metres down the road.

The map shows where Adelaide cyclists feel the most unsafe. Picture: Amy Gillett Foundation / CrowdSpot

BikeSpot 2023, a collaboration between CrowdSpot and the Amy Gillett Foundation, collected more than 2500 public submissions via an interactive map to find the safest and most dangerous spots for Adelaide cyclists.

A lack of bike infrastructure, dangerous intersections and car dooring risk are the most common reasons cyclists felt unsafe.

CEO of the Amy Gillett Foundation, Dan Kneipp, said being aware of these dangerous areas and understanding why cyclists feel unsafe “can help governments make targeted upgrades that will result in huge benefits for the community”.

CrowdSpot Director, Anthony Aisenberg, said initiatives such as BikeStop can help both decision-makers and members of the public make safer, “data-driven” decisions.

The BikeStop data also reveals people feel safest riding their bikes in locations with separated bike paths and off-road trails.

The voted top 5 safest spots to ride your bike in Adelaide are Patrick Jonker Veloway, the Woodville Railway bike path, Mike Tutur Bikeway, Park Terrace and River Torrens Linear Park, which are all locations with dedicated bike paths separate or away from other forms of traffic.

The places that feel safe to ride a bike in Adelaide. PICTURE: Amy Gillett Foundation and CrowdSpot.

Cyclist Alan Karbowiak, 29, of Newton, said separate bike paths “definitely provide a better experience for the public, cyclists and motorists”.

“Even as a pedestrian, I’ve almost walked into a cyclist on Pirie St while crossing the road … dedicated bike paths minimise those kind of close calls.”

Cyclist Alan Karbowiak in the bike lane in Adelaide’s CBD. Picture: Matt Loxton

Mr Karbowiak said sticking to your own area as either a cyclist, motorist or pedestrian is the best way to stay safe but it’s not always an option.

“You always have to be aware,” he said. “Unlike in a car, you don’t have anything to protect yourself.

“You have to worry about what other people are doing, not so much yourself.”

The 53-year-old cyclist killed on Wednesday was struck outside the Sunrise Christian School’s crossing on Wattle St, Fullarton, during morning drop-off hours.

The cyclist was hit by an opening car door, knocking him off his bike and into the path of a Mercedes. The man was swept underneath the car and dragged more than 10 meters along the road.

Bystanders, including an off-duty paramedic, rushed to his aid but the man tragically died at the scene.

The incident has prompted several calls for high risk and heavy traffic areas, such as school zones, to have better safety measures in place for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.

The BikeStop map is open to the public and people across Australia are able can visit bikespot.org to share their insights into the safest and worst cycling spots.

Originally published as Safest and most dangerous roads for Adelaide cyclists revealed