Hi Folks,

A copy of the message sent to the various councils (Stonnington,
Boroondara) the Stocaklands group, involved in M1 alterations, and
Bicycle Victoria on the behalf of a McBUG cyclist encountering
problems with the Gardiners creek bike path.

Images to accompany the annotaions in the email have been uploaded in
the photos area of the McBUG site.

Regards
David

===============================================================

To whom it may concern,

As a convener of the Monash University Community Bicycle User Group
(McBUG) and a Bicycle Victoria member, I am writing on behalf of
Monash University Cyclists regarding the recent works, alterations
and detours affecting the Gardiners Ck Path. The path is a main
thoroughfare utilised by cyclists on a daily basis to reach the Monash
Clayton campus.

As advised by one of our members the biggest problem with the work in
progress seems to remain the corner of Carroll St and Tooronga Rd.
Our member watched the behaviour of the cyclists at this corner for a
little while the other morning (about 7.30am, so before it gets
really busy) and used Google maps to highlight some of the the
problems (see attached). They also took some pictures which
illustrate the problems observed as annotated below and
these are also attached.

Another problem as well as the corner, that can be easily fixed is
that the entry to the detour from the eastern side (the exit from the
path up the ramp to Tooronga Rd). It has yet to be sealed properly
and is currently very loose gravel, they watched the cyclist in
front of them skid and fall.

Also, Carroll Street appears to be in the process of being narrowed,
we understand by Stonnington Council, which will increasingly cause
frustrations between cars and the large volume of cyclists,
increasing the potential for dangerous situations.

Some suggestions include:
(i) providing cyclists with a legal option when travelling west along
Carroll street to cross onto footpath just after Weir street to avoid
the corner, perhaps creating a shared footpath/bikepath. If this is
not possible, then putting in lights with a designated "turn right
for bikes" cycle incorporated.
(ii) increased signage!!! This is for both cyclists and road users,
who must also be confused about the sudden onslaught of cyclists on
this road.
(iii) increased signage again on Carroll St/Burke Rd intersection, as
this is quite narrow
(especially travelling east) and cars get caught behind cyclists.
(iii) increased signage again for the right hand turn on Great Valley
Road to rejoin the bike path when travelling west.
(iv) sealing the entry/exit on the western side of Tooronga Road.
(v) review the narrowing of Carroll street

I would appreciate a formal response to this message so that feedback
on the issue may be provided to our members or the matter escalated
as required.

Regards
David Pawley

Viewing Order and notations made by a McBUG member for attached
images
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Map showing location, suggested detour and actual cycling routes
being utilised

2. CrnCarrollTooronga1: Approach to Tooronga Rd from Carroll St.
Cyclists are being requested to turn left in southern direction down
Tooronga Rd to cross at pedestrian crossing (see Google Map jpg), and
then to proceed north up Tooronga Rd to cross the freeway and
then rejoin the path. Alternatively, cyclists can turn right here
directly, however as shown in this picture, this crossing is not very
bike friendly.

3.CnrCarrollTooronga2: A photo looking south down Tooronga Rd to the
crossing that cyclists are expected to use as part of the detour.

4. CnrCarrollTooronga3: A confused cyclist surveys the options. He
eventually takes the direct but dangerous route across Tooronga Rd
into Carroll St, rather than cycle south down Torronga, through a
narrow railway switchback to the crossing in photo 2.

5. Cnr CarrollTooronga4: The switchbacks across the railway line on
Tooronga Rd between the crossing and the freeway. The bike path on
the road is particularly narrow here, and the road is busy, so this
is the only other options for cyclists. I tried to enter with a full
pannier on either side of the bike and got a little stuck!

6. EatsernExitToorongaRd1: This exit has not been sealed properly as
yet, and the gravel is particularly loose and deep. I watched a
cyclist fall on this yesterday morning.

7. EasternExitTooroongaRd2: A full view of the exit on the eastern
side of Tooronga Rd where the cyclist fell. The great irony is that
we are spending so much money on widening an existing freeway yet
there is seemingly insufficient money to finish off work on this
relatively short bike path exit to make it safe for the estimated
3000 bike commuters who use this path daily.