2008/6/13 David <dpawley@...>:
> Hi Adrian,
>
> Yes a very interesting report, I've sent it on to folks in MUARC they
> as they might be interested, if they haven't seen it already.

Some people might not like to admit that they've seen it, but I'd love
to see an equivalent MUARC report on "bicycle facilities" in
Melbourne.

> If I've read this right, then:

Much the same conclusions I came to...

> - Seperate "paths" increase feelings of security but markedly
> increase accident rates.

Yes, both between cyclists and between cyclists and motorists

> - Cycle lanes, increase accidents between cyclists.

> - Overall benefits (health, fitness etc.) of both out weigh increased
> accidents.

The overall benefit is to "society". So for any one individual who
already rides a bike, they don't get much increased benefit but they
do get an increased risk of collision and injury.

> I may need to ponder that.
>
> Regards the cycle path, still trying to find out any information, if
> I do I'll let you know. My best guess is however that it is "little
> green men" who have the answer.

Not surprised there. I've noticed that there are now pedestrian
stripes to go with the ped. crossing signs across the left feeder lane
of Dandenong rd into Wellington and the access road parallel. Watched
two students (on foot) leap backward off same crossing to avoid being
flattened by a bus on Wednesday.

Nobody has been able or willing to answer if these are part of the
"bike path" or whether the "bike path" finishes at the North
rd/Dandenong rd side of the intersection and that this is now a "foot
path" across the intersection.

I suspect that the same design geniuses put the pedestrian crossing on
Clayton rd between Bayview av and Stewart rd -- the part of the
"signed and preferred cycling route" that is almost impossible to use
in peak periods due to Clayton rd traffic -- its almost as though they
are deliberately trying to entrap cyclists by putting a
pedestrian-only crossing just off to the side so when you get fed up
with waiting to turn right from either Bayview or Stewart you are
enticed to (illegally) ride up the footpath and then (illegally) ride
across the pedestrian crossing.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=-37.9063,145.123322&spn=0.005875,0.007585&z=1\
7

> Regards
> David
Adrian