Cycle-way bid hailed - 27 June 2006
Pic: Cyclists Sam Marshall, Stuart Hill and Marcel Lema. Also refer to previous entry on this issue.

Cycling groups have hailed a plan to create weekend morning clearways on Beach Rd to prevent conflict between riders and motorists. But they warn the parking bans must be followed up with rider education, to be fully effective. Beach Rd Cyclists member Marcel Lema said removing parked cars from 6am-10am was the “cheapest, simplest and most effective way'’ to make the road safer for all users. “Every time you narrow roads by putting infrastructure on it, you force cars and cycles together,'’ he said. “Parked cars actually cause the same thing. “`There is enough conflict on the road.

These narrowings just exacerbate the conflict.'’ Mr Lema said because riders were assured of a clear path in the left lane, bunches would not be forced into the right lane where they could block drivers.

With Bayside, Kingston and Port Phillip councils still yet to sign off on the plans, Mr Lema said the focus needed to shift to rider education. “A lot of bunches out there are inexperienced riders,'’ Mr Lema said. “The people doing the wrong thing are people who have taken up the sport in the last few years.'’

Amy Gillett Foundation chief executive Melinda Jacobsen said the foundation was looking to develop its rider-eduation. She said the plans to make the road safer for riders and motorists was a “positive step in the right direction'’.

“If this goes forward, cyclists need to respect that they have this lane and use it,'’ she said. “The two (motorists and cyclists) shouldn’t need to interact.'’ Is the planned clearway on Beach Rd a good idea? SMS, with name and suburb, to 0402 967 387