Councillor Rod Bradley of the Town of Cambridge Council is having his say again on cyclists.  This is the same Councillor Bradley who called for the forcing of cyclists to use paths in August, 2008.  Now I respect Councillor Bradley’s right to express his views, however, is it to much to ask Councillor Bradley to actually think about what he is saying? Is it too much to ask Councillor Bradley to engage in discussions in an appropriate manner?   I am really struggling to see how comments such as these as reported in the Post are constructive, appropriate or even show a reasonable level of understanding to warrant actually participating in such a discussion. 

The article where Councillor Bradley is quoted is titled Cyclist flattens lakeside walker and was published in the Cambridge Post February 6, 2010, Vol 37 No. 6 and Councillor Bradley’s comments can be found on page 81 of this issue.

Referring for a moment to the incident as report. My fullest sympathies go out to Ms McAnearney and express my extreme disappointment with this incident and the actions of the cyclist as reported, just as I am extremely disappointed at any incident on our roads and paths where any user is hurt or worst killed, whether it be pedestrian, cyclist or motorised vehicle occupant.

What disappoints me is that I don’t read of Councillor Bradley out “calling for blood” so to speak of motorists who injure or kill cyclists. Sadly I don’t read of Councillor Bradley calling for the ban of motorists (probably stupid anyway) but I don’t see the Councillor calling for action on penalties for motorists injuring or killing cyclists; for major road design changes and so on. I don’t see the Councillor doing any this when a motorist injuries or kills another motorist or passenger.  I therefore must really question Councillor Bradley’s motives and sincerity with his most recent statements.

The statement by Councillor Bradley which caught my interest is this one:

The time is overdue for proper controls to be established over the use of cycles on roads and cycleways…

A machine [bicycle] that requires the rider to bend forward in a way that makes it difficult to see ahead is a prima facie indication of an intent to ride without due care for others or self (my emphasis).

Cycling is promoted as being health and eco-friendly but there is an ominous side to it.

A couple of thoughts on this statement:

1. Proper controls are in place, they are called the Road Code of Western Australia 2000 as amended. Yep those same laws that control the behaviour of motorists and other road users.  Maybe the real issue is proper enforcement of these road rules by all users Councillor Bradley. How many cyclists killed other users in 2009? How many motorists killed over users in 2009 Councillor Bradley? I really wonder about your priorities.
2. I wonder if Councillor Bradley knows how to actually ride a bicycle as described (e.g., a drop bar bicycle) given these comments. I average 300 km plus a week on such a bicycle. Apparently I am riding with a prima facie intent to ride without due care for others or myself.  Councillor Bradley, let me make this really clear. That insinuation is offensive and reflects nothing more than your ignorance. You don’t even know me, you don’t even know how I ride, yet you have come to this conclusion. Oh please!
3. What does this say about the likes of our own Cadel Evans, current road racing World Champion? What does it say about Lance Armstrong and the Livestrong Foundation; What does this say about all those professional cyclists racing in our own Tour de Perth (held by the way in the Town of Cambridge), the Australian Tour Down Under, or the three Grand Tours on the international stage, the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España or the hundreds of other races held around the world at numerous locations throughout the year.

It is really disappointing to see an elected representative expressing views in such an ill-informed manner. It does nothing to enhance informed and proper governance at the local council level.

If you wish to contact Councillor Bradley directly to discuss his views, his email address as published on the Town of Cambridge website is cr.bradley@cambridge.wa.gov.au.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Tags: Councillor Bradley,Cycle Paths,Road Safety,Town of Cambridge
Categories: Bicycling
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Interested in a sneak preview of the Town of Cambridge Bicycle Plan? According to Lauren Arcus, Infrastructure Administration at the Town of Cambridge, “the Town’s Bike Plan … is not yet available to the public. It will I’m sure be available on the Town’s website as soon as this happens.”  So it seems one must monitor the Town of Cambridge’s website to get a copy of the 2009 Bicycle Plan.

Well you may be able to see a draft or even possibly the final plan, thanks to the Town of Cambridge’s Infrastructure and Community Committee meeting of Tuesday May 12, 2009. Referring to this attachment of documents from the Committee meeting, click on the bookmark marked ATTACHMENT 1 OF 2 TO ITEM IC09.32 and ATTACHMENT 2 OF 2 TO ITEM IC09.32 for the report prepared by Tony Shaw of Shawmac. It makes interesting reading for sure and if nothing else it will be interesting to compare against the final plan released by the Town.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Tags: Bicycle Plan,Infrastructure,Town of Cambridge
Categories: Bicycling
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The October 24, 2009 issue of Cambridge Post (Vol 36, No. 42) on page 22 is reporting that a three metre off-road cycle path will be built by the City of Nedlands and the Town of Cambridge.  The path will run between the Challenge Stadium and the junction of Underwood Avenue and Brockway Road, Floreat.

According to the Cambridge Post article the three metre wide lit off-road path will cost $253,626.  Construction is expected to start after February 2010 and finish by July 2010.

View Challenge Stadium Off-Road Path in a larger map

A search of the City of Nedlands and Town of Cambridge websites did not provide any further information on the proposed bike path so I will follow-up with City of Nedlands with the intent of obtaining a copy of the plans for the proposed path.

Playing around in Google Maps I estimated the path length at approximately 950 metres, which works out at a cost of $89.00 per linear metre. If this is anywhere near correct, the Councils could have built a hard surface path for this cost!

Update: October 30, 2009: I have had an email chat with Wayne Mo, Design Engineer at the City of Nedlands and it appears that a plan is not yet available but maybe available in 2010. Mr Mo suggested I contact him then and so will do so.  I am curious but as to how the Council can get a grant without a plan. I guess one of life’s mysteries.

Update: October 31, 2009:  I emailed both the City of Nedlands and the Town of Cambridge. I have received an informative reply from Jon Bell, Manager Infrastructure Works at the Town of Cambridge of which I am appreciative. Mr Bell’s reply is posted below. 

The newspaper report is ambiguous.

A 3 m wide shared path on the north side of Underwood Avenue between Meagher Drive and Perry Lakes Drive.  Drawing is attached.  This is being constructed by the state government as part of the Perth Athletics Stadium project and Perry Lakes Stadium Redevelopment.  They expect construction in December 2009.  They will also provide the missing link between Meagher Drive and Brookdale Road as Stage 2.

The Town of Cambridge and City of Nedlands will be constructing the missing link between Perry Lakes Drive and Challenge Stadium on the south side of Stephenon Avenue to link up with the existing path.  This is waiting for the earthworks to be completed along the alignment by the contractor that is constructing the Athletics Stadiums.  We were originally advised October 2009 but this may become February 2009.

The City of Nedlands was recently advised that they have received a grant from the Federal Government to construct a section of path on the south side of Underwood Avenue from Brockway Road to Meagher Drive and south side of Stephenson Avenue east of Challenge Stadium. This path will link up with the internal paths within this athletics complex.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Tags: City of Nedlands,Infrastructure,Shared Paths,Town of Cambridge
Categories: Bicycling, Commuting and Recreational
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