"too risky" ACA beat up featuring cyclist harassment

Last week on the Sydney Cyclist web forum a mother posted this disturbing story. I have to say this creeped me out at the time. Being filmed by a stranger is never a comfortable experience but to be chased and filmed as you ride along with your child is just plain creepy.
Well Last night we found who was filming her, Ben Fordham from the anti cycling radio station itself 2GB Sydney. This only came to light because his footage was used in this ACA report titled "Too Risky?".
I would like to state straight out I do not watch this crap normally and only found it because of the discussion on the online Australian Cycling community. As soon as read the descriptions I had a disgusted feeling that it seamed so familiar that I had read it and I was right. As I watched the footage all I could think what is wrong here. She is riding here bike by all the laws. She has added big white flags to the trailer to add to the visibility of the trailer. All I could think there is nothing wrong here and this is a beatup aimed at the lowest common denominator.
That was until they introduced Ian Luff  as a "motoring expert" demanding that bicycle trailers should be banned. According to his own website he is

He has worked with 7 Australian world champions, is a qualified mechanical engineer, has an extensive background in sales and marketing, and he is seen regularly on television and in the media.

This begs the question what qualifications does he have to demand that bicycle trailers should be banned? I say nothing. Then they do a demo where he runs down a test Bicycle child trailer.
When he does this two things stand out straight away.

1. the trailer largely stood up to the impact
2. the trailer seamed not to be attached to the demo bike.

I have to say I was quote happily surprised that the trailer stood up so well to a 60kmph impact speed. But what I think was done is the seemingly non attachment of the demo trailer to the demo bike. I say this as when you watch the footage the bike does move more than a slight sway. If this was done on purpose it begs the question why?

Ian has now posted further footage of the Demonstration and to me it does not look like the trailer was attached! Was this done possibly to make it look like the mother was putting all the so called risk on the child and not herself.

All in all I am disgusted with this report and am disgusted with the fact that stalking a Mother and child is acceptable in a station desperate grab for ratings.

All I have to say to the Mother in question is your were doing nothing wrong and ACA is disgusting!

Riverwalk (former floating walkway) - Preliminary Design Released

Image sourced from www.brisbanetimes.com.au

To may great surprise last week the Brisbane City Council released it's preliminary design for the replacement to the former floating walkway now just being given the title of Riverwalk. According to council the preliminary designs offers

 

• a more flood-resilient structure, designed to last for 100 years
• a rotating opening span to allow for the passage of vessels to and from moorings
• a new alignment that will take users further out into the river for the majority of the walkway, to improve the river experience and increase privacy for residents
• a segregated pedestrian and cycle path, 2.5m and 3.5m wide respectively
• shaded rest and viewing areas at various locations along the walkway

There must be little doubt that a fixed structure would be more flood resistant.
One interesting change from the concept drawings is the swing section to allow for vessels to access property moorings. This was originally to be a lift bridge but I have to say I personally prefer the swing design. It will be a bit more dramatic and interesting when a boat is moved in or out (a once a year event if your lucky). I am particularly interested how the joins between the swing and permanent sections will be treated.

I have to say when it comes to the structure being further out in the river, I don't care! I would have to say this would be more than likely the opinion of most of the people who will use it day in day out in there commute. This movement out has more to do with the privacy of residences then "improved river experience". That said the Zig Zaging at the Howard Smith end of the structure is a little strange. Corners are not a bike riders friend I do hope these are eased into bends.

THANK YOU! Common sense has prevailed and the replacement structure is to be designated as pedestrian one side and cyclist the other. At 2.5m to pedestrians and 3.5m to cyclists there should be little conflict if everyone behaves themselves. This will make the path a total of 6m wide only 1m wider then the previous shared path at 5m wide. This will make a world of difference as the old path was becoming quite uncomfortable for all concerned during peak usage times. Breaking the modes apart will mean that the carrying capacity of path will hopefully exceed what will ever be required of it.

Shade Rest Areas I have to say are welcome additions. The former floating structure had some rest areas however they were not shaded resulting in no one really using them. It was more like a roasting area in summer then a rest area. Adding shading will mean people will truly be able to rest.

Both Brisbane Times & The Courier Mail had articles to read. Thankfully the Courier had it's comments bar turned off meaning that every out of town bogan was denied the chance to stir the pot.

That all said it does not look to bad but more detailed drawings need to be provided so we really know what we are looking at and getting.

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/roads-infrastructure-bikeways/bikeway-and-pathway-projects/Riverwalk-replacement/index.htm

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/roads-infrastructure-bikeways/bikeway-and-pathway-projects/Riverwalk-replacement/index.htm

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/downloads/traffic_transport/roads_infrastructure_bikeways/riverwalk_preliminary_project_plan_opening_span.pdf

Sydney Cycleways - Article day after

I have always found it funny how some Politicians just cannot admit they are wrong. Following on from yesterdays article of how internal Government documents did say the cycleways were in the right locations, were doing what they were spose to be doing and were guided by the roads department (RTA) the Minister just can't admit he is wrong. In todays article he is still claiming that the then RTA had no imput but if the Sydney Morning Herald is to be believed the RTA's own documents state-

''The RTA is participating in the route selection, design, delivery, operation and performance of the cycleway network project

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/gay-denial-but-record-has-rta-in-cycle-loop-20120820-24imm.html#ixzz24ASUUAyx

Um well yes sure the RTA had nothing to do with it. It should also be pointed out that the Lord Mayor of Sydney City has always claimed that the routes were always selected in consultation with the then RTA of New South Wales.

To top it all off there was also this very interesting editorial as well today.

I wonder if this is the reason why cycling policy has been removed from the Roads Minister and moved to the Transport Minister?

NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay
image souced from SMH.com.au

Sydney cycleways - Are working! - article

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bike-path-rage-rides-counter-to-expert-opinion-20120819-24go2.html

Just a quick post today. This article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald this morning and I have to say I am very pleased that it did. Basically the article is an investigation into internal Government documents regarding the cycleways as to whether they are doing what they are spose to do and to wheather they are placed in the correct corridors. In no great surprise to me or the people that ride bikes in Sydney the documents say on both counts they are a correct. There has been alot of misinformation around the Sydney Cycleways including a serial You Tuber pest that posts clip after clip. These deceives the average person into thinking the Cycleways are a waste and are not being used. There has also been the Minister for Roads making claims thet no one uses them.

One Cycleway that has been highlighted as a waste but was thankfully defended by the investigation documents was the Collage Street Cycleway. Now the above image was taken back in 2011 when during peak hour I wondered up from my hotel to see how it was going. This was the view I got every change of lights. Group of riders after, group of riders heading into work. Naturally now when I hear an individual say the College St Cycleway is not used and is incorrectly located, my ears pick up and question really what that person is saying because in 2012 when I chose to visit the cycleway again I saw similar scenes of groups of riders descending from Oxford St Intersection.

On that note I say trust the official Council figures of usage and footage that has clearly been taken during peak hour as otherwise you will be deceived. These paths are being used and will only increase as the network expands.

Past Week in Brisbane's Media

After the terrible reporting from the Courier (trash) Mail on Thursday past about how cyclists are red light runners, they tried to butter us up with this article on Sunday. To make sure it buttered us up they turned of the comment bar on the article so that they typical mis-informed rego whingers didn't get on there soap box. In all honesty it wasn't a bad article but it did avoid one very simple fact. Your first bike once you get back into riding a bike will quickly replaced, normally within 2 years. Mine was downgraded to the spouses bike within 18 months. This is very important as it means you should not spend to much as it really is the bike that you work out what you want a bike is. That said it did point out two very important things, avoid supermarket bikes if you intend on riding often and all helmets sold in Australia offer the same amount of protection (or non protection depending on which side of the debate you sit on) it is just there appearance and shape that differs.

The Next article was from the Brisbane Times on Tuesday with this. While not a very big article it did hold some gems of info. The best was this breakdown from the website itself.

Bikeway projects to start this term include:

• Bicentennial bikeway stage 3 - between Lang Parade and Park Road as a continuation of the Bicentennial Bikeway upgrade. Cost: $7.1m (2012-13).
• Bicentennial bikeway stage 4 - from Land Street to west of the Regatta Ferry Terminal as a continuation of the Bicentennial Bikeway upgrade. Cost: $8.1m (2012-13 and 2013-14).
• Gateway North Connections - Schultz Canal - connects with the Kedron Brook bikeway, Brisbane Airport, the Gateway bikeway and further northside. Cost: $7.5m (2012-13 and 2013-14).
• Nicholson Street bikeway, Greenslopes - will improve connectivity from the Greenslopes Hospital to Transport and Main Roads' new V1 Bikeway along the M1 Pacific Motorway. Cost: $1.6m (2012-13).
• Cabbage Tree Creek - Stage 3 - completes the final link in the Cabbage Tree bikeway. Cost: $1.8m (2012-13)
• Cubberla Creek bikeway - will link Kenmore with Moggill Road and Chapel Hill Primary School. Cost: $1.6m (2012-13 and 2013-14).
• Zillman Waterholes - will complete a missing off-road link in the local bike network at Zillman by linking Robinson Road West with Murphy Road. Cost: $1.05m (2012-13 and 2013-14).

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbanes-next-bikeways-revealed-20120813-244ou.html#ixzz23h2B9QKU

All I can say is thank you Brisbane Times and there reporter Katherine Feeney as this years Brisbane city budget papers were very hard to work out where this work was to occur. The stand out was of course the Bicentennial bikeway funding but another is the funding for the Gateway connection to the airport  from Kedron Brook Bikeway. Getting to the airport by bike at the moment is a bit hair raising going through a very complicated intersection. This connection will remove that bit. It will not make it perfect but it will make that little bit easier.

On top of those articles there has been others in the Brisbane Times talking about making the CBD less of the drive through and more of a destination with increased shopping and pedestrianisation which may also translate to more bicycle infrastructure. This is on talk that the CBD Master plan is again being overhauled.

all in all not a bad time in the media we just need an announcement from the State Government about the Northern Bikeway. I can dream!

Brisbanes Next Big Project - article

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/is-brisbanes-next-big-project-a-bicycle-superhighway-20120809-23wtg.html


This is the title of an article in the Brisbane Times about increasing bicycle trips in Brisbane. I have to say it is an interesting article. It also points to the reason why I read fairfax media over murdock media.  Points raised in it include

• segregating bicycle riders from cars
• the need for the Northern Cycleway, (see previous post)
• Investing in bicycle infrastructure over Car Infrastructure
• Concept of normalising riding a bike.

I have to say these are all points I fully agree on.
What I have to say I found interesting is the concept of more floating walkways/bikeways using old plastic. Considering the former floating walkway floated away during the floods of 2011 I would question the long levity of such a piece of infrastructure, mind you if placed further down river on a wider part maybe it would be suitable.

The concept of normalising cycling that is raised is one I just wish would occur a bit faster and like the article says it needs segregated facilities. To often in Brisbane people assume you where Lycra , umm no. On that not I will leave with a photo linked from the Internet from the recent style over speed ride.

Oh I will add that this is how this bloke normally rides on the same bike, I have seen him a fair bit on the bikeways.

Running Red Lights - Crap Courier Mail

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/cameras-catch-cyclists-running-red-light-gauntlet-but-very-few-get-fined/story-e6freoof-1226446296016

The above image is taken from the article that ran today in the Courier(trash) Mail. In the article it is claimed that 220 incidences a year are recorded where a cyclist is fined for running a red light but then claims that it occurs "much more frequently" then that but provides no number. Why, because the paper does not know and cares not to investigate.  This is very usual for the bike riders of Brisbane to be targeted by this tabloid paper, we are a very easy target. The truth is we are getting sick to death of this.

As well not mentioning how many times people on bikes go through red lights they also leave out another important figure, how many motor vehicles in Queensland run red lights each year. According to this article in Brisbane Times from 2009  26,800 fines for running red lights were issued. This figure brings things into context because by going by official figures with cyclists making up around 1 to 2% of all traffic in Queensland but are accounting for less then 1% of all fines for running red lights. You may ask why I am using official figures, well just like cyclists running red lights not every motor vehicle that runs a red light is caught either. Not every set of traffic lights has a camera so official figures are the only way to really compare.

The other thing that is heavily depressing is the comments that are posted by the public, and the misinformation that is within them. The most common is the typical "Rego demand" is an excellent example that the person commenting has a very misinformed mind.

The fact is in Brisbane the Courier (trash) Mail hates cyclists and when reading any of there reports you need to do your own investigations on what the (so called) facts are telling you. While this report was missing the venom that we have seen in pervious years reports it was still missing valid comparasons to put things into context.

Shared Paths/Bikeways - Wider is not always better

I have previously posted about a shared path that does not work, the Pyrmont Bridge in Sydney. At the time I point out it failed on three points I consider important for a shared path to work.

• a daily usage somewhere below 4000 movements a day
• a path where it is not generally wider then 4 meters
• low tourist numbers
• clear understanding of keep left rule
• equal split between bicycles and pedestrians

Most of the time shared paths are rather narrow (around 3 metres) and have a lower usage. This make there purpose as shared suitable. Often after a certain amount of time usage does increase and the logical solution is to simply widen the path. I have to say this is logical and does work to some extent but the problem is human behaviour is not always to the same logic. The photos below show why making the path wider to increase capacity does not always work. The below photo was not taken at a busy time but it does show some peoples bahavour.

Both photos are of the same three women walking along the Shared Riverwalk Path in New Farm Brisbane. The first is on the new section where the clear width is around 6 meters. The second is on the older section where it is around 4 meters clear. Both photos show how the logic of widening a shared path past a certain point fails. People logically when given extra space just spread out even when there is clear signage saying not to block the path and keep left. On both the 6 meter section and the 4 meter section the three women's walking position is almost identical it is just the space between each individual that has changed. This is when segregation comes into importance, because given the space (approximately 5 meters) , no amount of widening will change the way some people act and they will just spread out. Ofcourse putting down a dividing line does help to some point but is really just band aid when segregation is the most sensible option where space permits.

Thankfully most people that use this path do not act like this but it is not uncommon. This path is heavily used and the short sighted option of making it shared and to narrow (just) to allow segregation to occur has resulted in a congested environment, mostly on the weekends.  While shared paths are always an option and a good option, there ability to be widened and upgraded to segregate needs to be considered and and considered very carefully because for some people no amount of signage will help the situation.

Bikeway Counts - July - What Tour de France effect?

The bikeway counts for July are in and in the most part they are not in all that surprising.

The counts were again conducted during a 40 minute bracket of peak hour on the

• Kurilpa Bridge - Monday
• Goodwill Bridge - Tuesday
• Bicentennial Bikeway - Wednesday
• South East Bikeway - Thursday
• Normanby Ped/Cycle Link - Friday

The thing that was of no great surprise was that apart from Kurilpa Bridge most other count locations showed not real difference in count numbers. Now this begs the question where is the Tour de France affect that the tabloid media always goes on about after the race. There is the usual complaints of Lycra clad middle age men swamping roads and getting in the way of everyone. If this is indeed true it certainly ain't happening on Brisbane's Bikeway's and it certainly ain't happening during peak hour. If there was indeed this affect it should of spilled over into the counts but it hasn't. Most count category's stayed mostly the same except for women overall. Overall women/men share of the count dropped from a ratio of 1/4 to 1/5 on the whole. Not a good sign but this may be put down to the winter weather.

The surprise result was Kurilpa Bridge jumping from 97 bikes in May to 114 in July. While this may have something to do with the count being conducted 10 minutes later to bring it in line with the rest of the counts (excluding Bicentennial) it does represent a jump of around 20%. It will only mean something substantial if the next count is also of a similar number next time but it is encouraging when all the other counts were almost stagnant.

Oh well it will be good to see what August will net as that will be the final month of Winter in Brisbane!If Brisbane is truly to hot to ride in, the Winter months should see numbers swelling but so far that is not the case.

Kurilpa Bridge Count 20120723

Time = 7:25-8:05am

Total = 114

Sex

Male = 94 (82%)

Female = 20 (18%)

Bike Type

Road = 48 (42%)

Other* = 66 (58%)

Bike per Sex

Male Road = 44 (46%)

Male Other* = 50 (54%)

                        5 citycycle included

Female Road = 4 (20%)

Female Other* = 16 (80%)

* = any bike that is not fitted with drop bar Handle Bars

General Note

-                      Not all bikes passing were able to be counted

-                      This count did not include pedestrians

-                      This count includes cyclists going both North and South

-                      Due this count occurring 10minutes later than the original figures are not directly comparable.

-                      This count was conducted at the peak of the bridge

-                      The weather was clear skies and cool temperature.

Goodwill Bridge Count 20120724

Time = 7:25-8:05am

Total = 374

Sex

Male = 310 (82%)

Female = 64 (18%)

Bike Type

Road = 162 (43%)

Other* = 221 (57%)

Bike per Sex

Male Road = 143 (46%)

Male Other* = 167 (54%)

                        2 citycycle included

Female Road = 19 (30%)

Female Other* = 45 (70%)

                        2 citycycle included

* = any bike that is not fitted with drop bar Handle Bars

General Note

-                      Not all bikes passing were able to be counted

-                      This count did not include pedestrians

-                      This count includes cyclists going both North and South

-                      Due to this count beginning 10minutes later then the Bicentennial count the figures cannot be directly compared.

-                      This count was conducted at the peak of the bridge

      -             The weather was clear skies and cool temperature.

 

Bicentennial Bikeway Count 20120725

Time = 7:20-8:00am

Total = 445

Sex

Male = 376 (83%)

Female = 69 (17%)

Bike Type

Road = 211 (47%)

Other* = 234 (53%)

Bike per Sex

Male Road = 198 (53%)

Male Other* = 178 (47%)

                        5 citycycles included

Female Road = 13 (39%)

Female Other* = 56 (61%)

                        4 citycycles included

* = any bike that is not fitted with drop bar Handle Bars

General Note

-                      Not all bike passing were able to be counted

-                      This count did not include pedestrian

-                      This count includes cyclists going both east and west

-                      This count was conducted just west of the Hale Street Bridge with counter sitting in the shade under the Overpass

-                      Between 30-50% of road cyclists were in groups or seamed to be out riding for exercise and not commuting

-                      Due to the count was conducted 5 mins earlier than previous counts and is not directly comparable

-                      The weather was clear skies and cool to brisk temperature

South East Bikeway Count 20120726

Time = 7:25-8:05am

Total = 210

Sex

Male = 169 (80%)

Female = 41 (20%)

Bike Type

Road = 69 (33%)

Other* = 141 (67%)

Bike per Sex

Male Road = 56 (33%)

Male Other* = 113 (67%)

Female Road = 13 (32%)

Female Other* = 28 (68%)

* = any bike that is not fitted with drop bar Handle Bars

General Note

-                      Not all bikes passing were able to be counted

-                      This count did not include pedestrians as they are not permitted on the bikeway

-                      This count includes cyclists going both North and South

-                      Due to this count beginning 10minutes later then the Bicentennial count the figures can not be directly compared.

-                      This count was conducted under the Vulture St overpass

-                      The weather was clear skies and cool to brisk temperature.

 

Normanby Ped/Cycle Link Count 20120727

Time = 7:25-8:05am

Total = 104

Sex

Male = 85 (82%)

Female = 19 (18%)

Bike Type

Road = 33 (32%)

Other* = 71 (68%)

Bike per Sex

Male Road = 30 (35%)

Male Other* = 55 (65%)

Female Road = 3 (16%)

Female Other* = 16 (84%)

* = any bike that is not fitted with drop bar Handle Bars

General Note

-                      Not all bikes passing were able to be counted

-                      This count did not include pedestrians

-                      This count includes cyclists going both North and South

-                      Due to this count beginning 10minutes later then the Bicentennial count the figures can not be directly compared.

-                      This count was conducted at the southern end of link were it joins Parkland boulevard

-                      The weather was clear skies and cool temperature.

30kmph speed limit - Crappy Today Tonight Report

http://au.news.yahoo.com/today-tonight/latest/article/-/14418808/frustrating-speed-limits/

I have to say this is the reason why I do not watch commercical TV because you can not trust them to report things completely accurately. This lovely piece of work was aired on that "Bastian of truth and fair reporting" last night Today Tonight. It is regarding the concept of reducing the default speed limit in residential streets to 30kmph. I have to say as usual the reporting was mostly one sided and sensationalised. Instead of wasting my time stating the obvious lets just look at the people they spoke to, all this information I had to search for there was no links on the website so I could better inform myself! I wonder why?

John Cadogan the so called motoring expert
"He has a degree in engineering" but in what discipline. For all I know he could have a degree in hydraulic engineering, but what has that got to do with traffic speeds! Unless this engineering degree is quantified to me it means nothing. According to his own website (see link below) he has "20 years as a freelance automotive journalist in print, TV and radio". To me this means this guy has a vested interest in making sure motorised traffic can move is fast as possible because lets face it he may loss some of his readers and roles if he started saying that all motorisd vehicles should travel slower. This guys had the most air time of the three blokes they spoke to. The best quote from this guys is where complains about how public transport is having trouble at the moment handling current loadings. I hate to state the obvious but so is the road network you fool! He also left out the fact that the Public Transport systems have suffered from decades of under investment because of so called motoring experts have been demanding extra funding for roads that just fill up within years acheiving nothing in the long term!
http://www.cadoges.com/about/

David Jones from the RACV
This guy I could not find his official webpage. That said again a vested interest has he is representing a motoring body that is all about allowing motorists to get from A-B as fast as possible. This guy is an "Strategic traffic and transport engineer and planner" which means he does have knowledge in the area but because of his employer it has to be taken in context. The best quote for this bloke is "higher variablitly in vehicle speeds, higher risk of vehicle crashes & involving pedestrians and cyclists" now this may of been taken out of context as we do not hear what the reporter asked but isn't the idea of lowering speed limits about reducing the variablity of different travel modes?
http://au.linkedin.com/in/jonesdr

Dr Bruce Corben - from Monash University Accident Research Centre
Now this poor bloke go a mear 8 seconds of clear air time and is proablby the most repectable in my mind. In that short time he says that at 40kmph you are twice as likely to die as if stuck compared with 30kmph but ofcourse that is all we hear. Hummm I wonder why?
http://www.monash.edu.au/research/profiles/profile.html?sid=701&pid=5764

Ofcourse as one that rides a bike I know all to well why slower speed limits are required and it is clearly stated in on satitic they bring up. 12% of servayed motorist by the TAC admited to speeding to all or most of the time. A motorist slightly speeding above 30kmph is far less likely to kill someone complared with a motorist slightly speedng over 50kmph.

Ofcourse this kind of story is very old news to me. Back in the late 90s a similar story was aired when residential speeds were dropped from 60kmph to 50kmph. They had the same kind of skewed reporting back then as well. Just like back then they did a speed test and just like back then it came back with a similar result, reduced speed limit does not result in vastly increased travel time in urban traffic environment. Over 8kms this test came in at around 30 minutes for traveling at both 50kmph & 40kmph however at 30kmph it came in at 32minutes. Ofcourse anyone riding a bike could tell them this because in an urban environment most of your time is spent sitting at traffic lights and interestions.

All I can say is bring on the 30kmph speed limit. It will make local residential streets safer and far more pleasent places to live instead of rat runs for impatiant indivuals that choose not to use the main roads and arterials.

PS spell check is currently not working