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.

Shared Paths - Pyrmont Bridge Sydney

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/peak-hour-in-pyrmont-bike-lanes-for-the-bridge-20120530-1zi1j.html

I would like to say right at the start Shared Paths do work but they have there limitations. There are many shared paths in Brisbane that work completely fine but they have some defining features that make them work.

Features That make a shared Path work in my opinion

• 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

While I will in the future talk about Brisbane shared paths a Shared Path that does not work in my mind is in Sydney. This Path is the Pyrmont Bridge. This bridge was a turned over to pedestrian and bicycle usage many years ago. The main problem I see with it is that it breaks all 5 points I list above.

• there is well over 4000 movements a day
• the bridge is well over 12 metres wide
• there are tourists wondering everywhere not really aware of there surroundings
• NO ONE keeps left
• the is not a equal split

This results in chaos with everyone ducking about. Every time I go down to Sydney I am amazed at how crazy it is across that bridge. I have turned to my other half over and over and said "this bridge needs a bike lane".

Now I am no friend of the Pedestrian Council of Australia, and like many Australians that ride bikes have no time for them or there head. That said I have to agree with them calling for a bike lane across the Pyrmont Bridge. A bike lane makes scene because it will allocate space to each group just like it does on the Bicentennial Bikeway is Brisbane. Personally I don't think the ped council is calling for this to make life easier for cyclists and pedestrians, I think they have admitted partial defeat with there calls to have shared spaces removed. Lets face it they did not have much chance on the Pyrmont Bridge with over 2000 bicycle movements a day.

See video below