Mosman councillor Simon Menzies calls for a peak hour ban on bicycles using congested city-bound corridor
MOSMAN councillor Simon Menzies says cyclists should be banned from riding on the Spit Rd/Military Rd corridor during peak hour to save lives and improve traffic flow.
Mosman
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A MOSMAN councillor has called for cyclists to be banned from the Military/Spit road corridor during peak hour because the planned B-Line will add more buses to the busy route.
The State Government’s high frequency bus service, expected to start later this year, is aimed at northern beaches residents travelling to and from the city.
Cr Simon Menzies attended a B-Line community information session last week.
“B-Line and bicycles don’t mix. It seems only a matter of time before a cyclist fatality occurs along Military Rd’s hostile, heavy vehicle environment,” he said.
“It’s too dangerous for cyclists to share a lane with a high-frequency priority bus service.
“I’d like council to lobby RMS to introduce a peak hour cyclist ban in the interests of road safety.
It’s a safer city journey for cyclists to use the local road cycle lanes.
“Cyclists should be banned from the corridor during peak hour for reasons of cyclist safety and improved traffic flow.
“An alternate purpose-built cycle route at Beauty Point is under used.”
A Bicycle NSW spokeswoman said the peak advocacy body disagreed with Cr Menzies’ idea, but agreed the Beauty Point route was less popular with daily commuters because it was hilly and indirect.
“The Military and Spit roads corridor is faster, flatter and more direct for bike commuters,” she said.
“Realistically, most bike commuters using Military and Spit roads likely do so because they find the alternate routes too dangerous.
“People on bikes are not the problem ... but rather the high volume of single occupant vehicles are the very cause of the traffic Cr Menzies is complaining about,” she said.
“Investment in cycling infrastructure and better education for all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians on how to share the roads and paths, will result in a better experience for all road users.”
Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman Harold Scruby agreed with Cr Menzies and said the route was “dangerous all the time”.
“Sydney is not a bicycle-friendly city. In the interests of cyclists, they should not be on Spit Rd,” he said.
“Cyclists and pedestrians don’t mix and they should each have their own dedicated paths.”
A Roads and Maritime Services spokesman said North Sydney Council was given money to build a cycleway, including an off-road and mixed traffic route, for cyclists riding between North Sydney and Mosman.
“Work is under way on the cycleway which is due for completion late this year,” he said.
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A Mosman Council spokeswoman said the council supported the State Government’s programs to promote cycling.
“This corridor is part of a principal bicycle network for Sydney and any changes to this will have an impact on the network,” she said.
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