Alderman Philip Cocker today called on the Lord Mayor Damon Thomas and fellow Alderman Peter Sexton to stand up and ensure a significant development for Hobart was not lost.
On Tuesday night the Hobart City Council will decide on whether to pursue a high class, safe alternative for transport on Sandy Bay Road. The Sandy Bay Copenhagen-style cycleway is a major positive development and I am calling on the Lord Mayor to support the view of the majority as identified by our widespread consultations.
In calling on Alderman Peter Sexton to support a separated cycleway, I am asking him to support the National Heart Foundation’s extensive research and policies on urban design and active living. As National President of the Heart Foundation, Alderman Sexton has an opportunity to demonstrate support for that organisation’s policies, as well as to assist in educating his fellow Aldermen on the benefits of this development for the community of Hobart.
We know the provision of painted lanes on roads does not encourage new, inexperienced riders, nor does it provide a safe environment, particularly for young riders. We know what works and the proof can be seen on the inner city cycleway. The policies of the Heart Foundation support creating this environment and I hope so will Alderman Sexton.
The development of a world class, Copenhagen-style cycleway will link schools and the University to the city and support a healthy alternative form of transport. This is not a radical, rare development, but one being pursued in cities all round the world. Whether it be London, Geelong, New York, Sydney or Melbourne, providing safe cycling is being implemented.
The Lord Mayor and Alderman Sexton need to lead and ensure the success of this development.
• Dr Frank Nicklason, North Hobart:
Dear Editor,
The old saying that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ fits the opinion piece by Lord Mayor Damon Thomas with it’s accompanying photo. (Vision for Hobart on the road to success, Mercury 11/6)
Our Lord Mayor attempts to justify and promote what will be a fundamentally unsafe Sandy Bay cycleway. He tries to pass this off as a balanced, incremental approach to decision making. The original expert recommendation to segregate cyclists from cars was by far the safest available option. Ratepayers may well ask why their money was used for an extensive community consultation and a report which has now been ignored.
The picture of, seasoned and confident cyclist, Jonathon Stagg, jammed in between a bus and a passengerless car is closer to the truth. It is a image worth more than all Lord Mayor Thomas’ words. An on road painted lane may represent a marginal improvement for those seasoned riders but it will hardly suffice the more risk conscious, the less confident, and the less experienced.
This long weekend brought us the tragic news of a young woman cyclist from Sydney who died on the road after being struck by a passing car. It is hard to imagine that those who have been short sighted enough to undermine attempts to develop a safe Sandy Bay cycleway have considered the potential legal ramifications of choosing an unsafe cycleway over the manifestly safer option which was recommended by experts.
• Ald Jeff Briscoe, in Comments: Tonight HCC voted 10:2 to adopt option 3. This in my view is great news as it requires an investment of 1.2 million dollars on Bike lanes for Sandy Bay Road. Bicycle Tasmania and Cycling South were supportive of this option. Sadly Green party Aldermen Cocker & Burnet voted against this improvement to cycling facilities for Hobart. Such is life! They find it hard to compromise to accommodate other users of roads!
