Bicycle Network has pointed out problems for bike riders and opportunities to improve paths in a submission to the interim report on the Macquarie Point stadium.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission report focuses on walking and public transport to the stadium, pointing out the lack of space for large numbers of pedestrians to get to Macquarie Point.
Bicycle Network’s submission looks at the ability of people to ride a bicycle and park it securely, as well as other riders still being able to access well-used cycling paths on event days to get through the site or visit nearby attractions.
Shared paths won’t cope
The problem for bike riders is that much of the cycling infrastructure in the waterfront area is “shared” with pedestrians.
Because there are relatively low numbers of people walking and cycling in Hobart, on most days a 3m wide shared path can accommodate both users. However, we’ve seen on Salamanca Market days that the infrastructure fails cyclists as the number of pedestrians often overwhelms the space, forcing people riding onto the road.
Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 6A: Paths for Walking and Cycling lays out the acceptable widths and design of paths depending on the numbers of people using them. Applying it to the shared path along Davey Street catering to a stadium crowd and bicycle users, it recommends a 4m wide path for pedestrians and 2.5m wide bike path, physically separated from the pedestrian path.
The outcome of infrastructure not adequately catering to users is that people who are not confident riding on the road, which is the majority of the population, will choose not to ride.
New bridge from Collins Street
A proposed pedestrian bridge from Collins Street to the stadium could link bike lanes/safe bike routes on the length of Collins Street. If separated lanes are created on the proposed bridge, it could help provide an alternative route for riders to access the Intercity Cycleway.
Collins Street on-street car parking could be blocked on event days to allow temporary widening of footpaths for easier pedestrian movement and/or pop up bike lanes. This could trial more permanent solutions to make the full length of Collins Street more people friendly.
Cycling routes need to be built for active transport
The report does not address the lack of All Ages and Abilities cycling networks linking people through to the stadium, but it is a critical issue in moving people to the stadium. This is because the majority of the population are open to the idea of riding but won’t if they have to mix with large volumes of vehicle traffic and fast-moving traffic.
The Greater Hobart Cycling Plan provides for adequate cycling networks that can move people, however, the key routes are currently unfunded. Routes which could be developed to cater to the stadium that separate riders from pedestrians include:
- separated bike lanes built on the length of Collins Street (potentially with some slow street sections if vehicle volumes can be reduced)
- Campbell and Argyle on-street lanes converted to separated lanes
- Sandy Bay Road separated lanes that connect through to Collins Street.
- Augusta and New Town roads separated lanes.
Bicycle parking
The report only deals with car parking, however, the lack of secure bike parking will also deter people from riding to the stadium.
It may be that event days will need a valet parking service for bikes so that people can lock them up in an area that is covered by security guards or dedicated bike parking guard, similar to what Bicycle Network used to provide at the Bellerive stadium for football and cricket matches.
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