My computer keeps crashing so I will be brief. I would be grateful if people could consider this concept of a cycleway the length of St Johns Road - on the left side. We were sent letters by Council on 7 December, with a closing date for replies of 21 December. There is very litle specific information but my understanding now is that the footpath will be made narrow and trees removed. There will be a narrow two way bike lane and on the outside of it a concrete median strip with some parking for cars. (I think 23 car spaces will be removed).
This street is a stroll to Sydney Uni, a brisk 20 minute walk to UTS and a brisk 30 minute walk to the CBD. Many families walk around our streets. At present two adults with a child and pram can walk together along the footpath. If is made any narrower they will have to walk in single file and the proximity to the bike lane, and with parked cars on the other side, with people opening car doors and moving between their house and car, makes for a dangerous situation for everyone.
It is all very well to say inner city residents shouldn't have cars but people have to move in and out of houses, with removal vans. Tradespeople have to be able to put their vehicles somewhere. Will carpet cleaners have to run their hoses over the bike lane? Council has planted crepe myrtles down this street which are promising to do well and provide shade and air quality.
I've forgotten the numbers but Council is envisaging tremendous population growth and a transfer of commuter travel to bikes - Sydney will be like Bangkok. There is nowhere for bikes to be kept in the CBD during the day. How will people get to and from work in stormy weather ? Has any study been done to see how many people will use it ? If there are too many (it goes to Sydney Uni as well as towards the CBD) it won't be safe and if there are too few it will a waste of money that could have been spent making the road safer for everyone. Also it seems to stop at Colbourne Street - will bike riders be sent down Colbourne Avenue to Bridge Road where it sweeps around a corner with a concrete barrier?
Clover Moore has said cycleways are "relatively inexpensive". The concepts for Bourke St and St Johns Road will be be inexpensive. Apart from the removal of the footpath and trees, the power poles will have to be removed. Where will they go ? There are shop awnings extending to the edge of the footpath. Really this concept will be a desecration of a heritage area, spoiling the feel of village and community.
I would love to be able to ride my old mountain bike around Sydney but I don't think cycleways should be seen as a solution for commuter travel. My main concern is Council's attitude - giving us notice just before Christmas and not being able to provide sufficient information.
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