SCOTT PLIMPTON
There seems to have been virtually no public education so far as to how drivers (and cyclists) should deal safely with the new cycle lanes in Hoabrt. Especially there seems to be confusion regarding crossing the lanes to turn or to access a parking spot, etc. Hobart City Council staff have done a great job in preparing information to explain the bicycle lanes, refer to the following website:
http://www.hobartcity.com.au/HCC/STANDARD/PC_1533.html
They have supplemented this with responses to commonly asked questions (doc att’d)
They also advertised explanatory information in the Mercury newspaper to assist.
One thing to remember is that all the project items are not yet installed, that is it is not finished, there’s more bike symbols, lane arrows and signs to go in. These will all help make it obvious what is expected of both motorists and cyclists.
The FAQ’s as provided by HCC are below:
Argyle / Campbell Street Bicycle Route Project
Answers to Common Questions – Provided by the Hobart City Council.
Question: What is an on road bike lane?
Answer: In urban areas and on certain highways an on-road bicycle lane provides a solution to providing a safer space for cyclists. An on road bike lane is a marked lane for cyclists.
Question: What is the green “paint” on the road?
Answer: The green “paint” is the Australian standard coloured surface treatment for use in bicycle lanes to increase vehicle driver and cyclist awareness of a bicycle lane. Such treatments are used in all other Australian States.
Green surface treatments are intended to:
– highlight the presence of a bicycle lane to reduce the potential for conflict between bicycles and other vehicles; and
– improve the visibility of bicycle operating space at an intersection or where the road environment is busy or complex.
Most Australian State Departments of Transport have produced information brochures relating to Coloured Surface Treatments for Bicycle Lanes.
The Victorian Vic Roads Cycle Note 14 – Coloured Surface Treatments for Bicycle Lanes is available on the Hobart City Council Website or by searching the Internet using the key words “vic roads cycle notes”.
Question: Can I cross over the bicycle lane?
Answer: It is legal to cross a bicycle lane to access a driveway, side road, or on-street parking. Vehicles must give way to cyclists in the bicycle lane.
See Tasmanian Road Rules (page 21) April 2009
Question: Can I cross the solid white line in the centre of the road on Argyle Street between Burnett and Federal Street.
Answer: The single solid white line indicates a “No Overtaking Zone” but it is legal to cross the solid white line to access a side road, a property access or business entrance when it is safe to do so. Road rule 134 Clause 3 applies. See Tasmanian Road Rules (page 9) April 2009
Question: What are the green areas at signalised junctions in front of the vehicle holding lines?
Answer: The project will include head start storage areas at signalised intersections for bicycles. These facilities are also known as bicycle storage boxes.
The storage boxes will be placed in front of the left-turn lane on Argyle Street and the right-turn lane on Campbell Street. When cyclists wait at the front of a traffic queue in a bicycle storage box, they are safer as motorists can more easily see them. Cyclists are also away from direct exhaust fumes and can proceed more rapidly through the intersection, generally being able to cross the intersection before being overtaken by cars.
Most Australian State Departments of Transport have produced information brochures relating to Head Start Storage Areas at Intersections. The Victorian Vic Roads Cycle Note 5 – Head Start Storage Areas at Intersections for Bicycles is available on the Hobart City Council Website or by searching the Internet using the key words “vic roads cycle notes”.
Question: Why is the Bicycle lane on the right hand side in Campbell Street?
Answer: In a one way street there is no explicit requirement for a bicycle lane to be on either side of the street. After design option exploration, the decision to place the bicycle lane on the right hand side of the street was taken because:
– The transition from Argyle Street to Burnett Street and onto Campbell Street created less conflict points between cyclists and vehicles.
– For bicycle commuters using the route many destinations are in the CBD and placing the bicycle lane on the right allows for cyclists to easily turn right into the City and avoid conflicts with vehicles.
– Several adjacent land uses on the left hand side of Campbell Street such as the supermarket create significant vehicle movements, on balance it was felt that less conflict would occur between vehicles and cyclists if the bicycle lane was placed on the right hand side of Campbell Street.
Various Opinions and Statements Made in Mercury on Line feedback
“There used to be three traffic lanes on Argyle Street”
There were two travelling lanes for vehicle traffic on Argyle Street between Brisbane Street and Burnett Street before the installation of the Bicycle lanes. The third through lane at the signalised junctions was observed to be used by few vehicles, and trials of its removal showed no impact on traffic flow. A turning lane at signalised junctions has been retained to allow for turning vehicles to not impede through vehicle movements.
“$320,000 for some white and green paint on existing roads??”
The project has involved extensive data collection, design and documentation. The line marking component of the work was competitively tendered through a public process.
The total works package includes traffic control for worker safety, removal of existing line markings, reinstatement of all traffic lane line marking and bicycle lane line marking including the coloured surface treatments and signage. Other works for the project have included major reworking of the traffic island at Argyle and Burnett Streets to improve the crossing for pedestrians. Works also included in the budget figure include the yet to be constructed connection along Burnet Street between Argyle and Campbell Streets and allowances for adjusting traffic detection loops (which are used in part to control signal operation) and the installation of an additional traffic signal device at Federal Street. Advertising which has been placed in The Mercury on several occasions is also included.
“The lanes just stop”
Rome wasn’t built in a day, this project is the next stage in developing a cycling network for the City of Hobart. A full description of the project origins and the Strategic documents guiding the development of the Hobart Principal Bicycle Network are available in the information package available on the Hobart City Council web page. This information can also be mailed on request, and is available from the HCC Customer Service centre. (Corner Davey and Elizabeth Streets, Hobart)
