WATCH OUT FOR ORANGE MESH!

Comment by DamianM on November 8, 2008 at 6:57pm

Oh shit!
That's terrible Tony, I'm really sorry to hear about it. Don't know what else to say really, that's horrible.
Here's hoping you have a quick recovery and you're not too much of a mess, although it sounds pretty serious.

Are you planning any legal action ? I would think you would have a decent case.

Comment by KimR on November 8, 2008 at 7:17pm

Tony, that' s terrible news, hope you heal up well and can start riding again soon.

I've been thru this section many times and it's always a white knucle ride. The gap is barely wider than your handlebars. It's so narrow because they have put the new power pole in but not removed the old one and it's been like that for many weeks. It is a disgrace how slowly this work has been done. I would lodge a complaint here, http://www.lanecovetunnelproject.com.au/making_complaints.html as this will go to Theiss John Holland who are doing the construction.

Also this was reported on Monday the 3rd in the Bike North mail group, so I think somebody witnessed your crash. Can pass on details to you if you like.

Comment by Sammy on November 8, 2008 at 7:25pm

Sorry about your crash Tony, the injury sounds very painful. It's a horrible thing to happen and I can't imagine how you are feeling. Did someone stop and help you?

I agree with Dave W that money is never really an adequate compensation but I really do think that you should pursue it with the council. It's council's job to ensure people's safety and they are given a budget to do it - time to teach them what happens when they don't do their job.

Hope that you have someone taking care of you and looking after that face, hope that you heal quickly and get back on the horse bike!

Comment by Tony Arnold on November 8, 2008 at 7:31pm

Thanks everyone for the messages...

Until I saw the photo above I couldn't understand how I could face-plant it while riding along a bike path! I've thought about legal action mainly just because the work on this path has taken SO long and is being left in all sorts of dangerously unfinished states. I really think that no-one takes notice until someone gets hurt (or killed).

I hate the idea of ringing a personal injury lawyer but maybe it would do some good to clarify what "safety" actually is to the Council and to the companies carrying out this work.

Comment by Sammy on November 8, 2008 at 7:46pm

Totally agree, while I don't consider myself a litigious person nowadays my first thought is always - what if I'd had one of the kids on the back? Accidents happen but dangerous areas like this need fixing and if it takes hitting the council in the hip pocket to realise what happens when they get lazy and slack then someone needs to do it - I'm just sorry that someone (you!) had to get hurt to initiate change!!

Comment by KimR on November 8, 2008 at 7:58pm

This issue of the completeness of the cyleway has been discussed a far bit by BN. The RTA is the authority that controls the construction and will give final certification when complete. TJH are building it as a component of the Lane Cove Tunnel project. I am not sure what role Lane Cove Council has.

Back in July we had an opening celbration for the path in Naremburn and a lot of people were asking the RTA and LCC to hold siilar events. They both refused because they stated the cycleway (actually Shared Used Path) wasn't complete and they don't want to be associated with any accidents that could occur in an event they were connected to. Unfortunatley, I think their view would be, you ride at your own risk during construction.

I still think you should raise a complaint at the link above, as it should help speed up the construction work (or happy to raise it for you)

Comment by Adrian on November 8, 2008 at 8:21pm

Hi Tony, I'm really sorry to hear about your accident. I've seen bikes come down in similar circumstances but not with so severe conseqences. All the best with your recovery.

Comment by Lzzter on November 8, 2008 at 8:31pm

Get well, Tony

Comment by yogi on November 8, 2008 at 8:33pm

yeah like all the rest here.. We all hope you heal well.

So your gonna give a try out to become an XMAN now?

Comment by Tony Arnold on November 8, 2008 at 9:00pm

I have a feeling that any legal action will end up getting no-where because of two things. 1. They will say "the bike path isn't officially open" and 2. They will say that I ran into the fencing and that it wasn't their fault.

While there are a thousand things I'd like to see done better, the first thing I'd like to see is that they stop using that orange mesh in places that can get caught in bike equipment (especially since it can be blown around in the wind). Unfortunately, a friendly phone call probably won't actually get the message across.

On the broader issues, perhaps an article in the SMH would help get some attention for the cause of safe bicycle facilities. I'd be more than happy to take the photographer on a tour of the Epping Rd path to point out the shortcomings, but I'm a bit reluctant to complain about a path which is actually a big step in the right direction (compared to most bicycle infrastructure). If we complain too much, the general public (especially people who are annoyed that Epping Rd has been narrowed) will probably just think that all cyclists are whingers.

Since BNSW is so reluctant to go on the warpath about anything, maybe this is just the kind of thing I can use as motivation to start my own organisation of radical bicycle activists! To tell you the truth, I was already pretty motivated about getting change to happen in favour of cyclists but unfortunately, it isn't clear how to make it happen. While cyclists are a minority, it is hard to really hit the Government where it hurts (votes). Since so many politicians are making favourable noises about cycling, I tend to try and do things through official channels (such as the NSW Bike Plan request for proposals) so that I work "with" them rather than "against" them. On the other hand, it all just seems a bit too much like "Greenwashing" sometimes.

I have to take my hat off to people like RussW who patiently and consistently hold our politicians accountable for their actions and make positive contributions to cycling in Sydney.

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