Talkback radio and other sections of the media are busy whipping up a frenzy against the Frome St Bikeway.
Other cities in Australia and other developed countries are encouraging cyclists by developing more bike paths and various types of safer pathways for cyclists. Here are extracts from 2 articles which publicize the rationale and positives of safer cycling pathways and the mass cycle ride/show of support.
1.ON YER BIKE: Ride to Rundle with Stephen Yarwood
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The furore that exploded over the Bikeway has stretched the issue out of proportion. Three facts are laid out to us: one, that the perceived ‘anti-car’ position of the City Council (and Yarwood in particular) is an urban myth; two, traffic levels on the two-lane southern parts of Frome St are at the same level as single-lane Rundle and Hindley Streets; three, there are no other viable, long-term options to reduce congestion in a city.
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The Bikeway has been condemned by doubters – including ACC’s own Mark Hamilton, who will be challenging Yarwood for Lord Mayor in November’s elections – and plagued with rumours about cost (truthfully the Bikeway cost less than one percent of the Council’s transport contribution). But the fact remains that Adelaide is the only mainland state CBD without these dedicated lanes.
The process has been a little “disappointing” for Yarwood.
“I guess I often despair that this [Bikeway] is seen to be radical or controversial, when every other CBD in Australia has already implemented the measures we are talking about.
“I’m not particularly progressive. I’m not particularly radical. I’m just trying to drag Adelaide along to where every other CBD in the entire nation is already at.
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With 33 kilometres of standard bikelanes added in the last five years and the new separated bikeway being implemented, Adelaide is on its way to becoming – as Yarwood would like – “the greatest cycling city in the southern hemisphere”.
Rip it Up:
http://www.ripitup.com.au/lifestyle/art ... 3FrEZsaySM
And another in Cycling Traveller.
2. Mass cycle in support of Adelaide's Frome Street Bikeway
Following a nasty talk-back radio backlash against Adelaide's new Frome Street Bikeway, Bicycle SA is organising a mass ride for cyclists to show their pedal power.
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“There are calls for the newly designed Frome Street Bikeway to be ripped up or re-engineered – before one cyclist has even ridden the route,” Bicycle SA said on its website. “This is a watershed moment for Adelaide, and could be the first of many bike lanes to come.”
While the development has been welcomed by cyclists and would-be cyclists, some criticisms have been made by newspaper columnist and talk-back radio hosts who say the new bikeway will create traffic (congestion) along the road. Adelaide City Council came out firing in defence of the bikeway saying that it was key to reducing congestion in the city.
“There are currently 29 north south traffic lanes for cars in the city – there are zero separated bikeway lanes to safely accommodate bike riders,” the Council said. “The changes we have started to make to Frome St will alter this to 27 to 2 – still way in favour of the car and providing a much safer option for riders.”
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“This is not about Us vs. Them. This is not about Cars Vs. Bikes.
Every person, no matter what form of transport they use, should be able to get from A to B safely."
"If you want cycling culture to move forward, and if you want to see more cycle infrastructure in Adelaide , then bring yourself, your friends, your family and your treadly to Frome Street on Wednesday morning at 8am.”
Cycling Traveller:
http://cycletraveller.com.au/australia/ ... et-bikeway
