2008/7/24 Erin <erin.beel@...>:
> Hi all - I'm new to this group. I have been commuting by bike for
> about 6 months now, after getting sick of the slowness of public
> transport.
>
> (this is my route:
> http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Hughesdale-to-Monash-Uni)

You could always try Michael's variation, it involves more bike paths
and side streets, avoids major roads -- except to cross them. There
are advantages and disadvantages to both routes.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ormond-to-Monash-Clayton

> I've been watching with interest the demolition of the old Reception
> centre behind the Vet on the corner of North and Dandenong.

Ah Camelot, what a wonderful piece of architecture that was!

> I noticed about 2 weeks ago that it's going to be a McDonalds.

Yep, the owners of the neighbouring houses complained to council etc
and got nowhere. A 24hr McDonalds was deemed to be equivalent to the
existing reception centre that held weekend functions. If you want to
see what the traffic will be like and how it might behave, try a few
searches on youtube for "McDonalds carpark." Having spent some years
riding and/or driving past a McDonalds in Richmond I'm not sure that
the adjacent road is any safer from potential collision with idiots --
anyone stupid enough to do a burnout from a carpark onto Swan street
and nearly collect a tram isn't going to give a damn about other road
users in mere cars and bikes.

> I'm a little concerned how this is going to affect safety while riding
> on the combined pedestrian/cyclist path that runs past it. There
> appears to be at least 3 driveways being made. At the moment, it's a
> pretty safe route and hardly any cars come in and out of the
> driveways. Obviously, this will change with McDonalds being there.
> It's a brilliant bike path and a very good link between the North Rd
> bike path and the Uni.

> It concerns me that this might drive Monash council to revert the path
> back to pedestrian only. Maybe this fear is unfounded, I dunno.

> It's also right near a primary school and close to about 3 other
> McDonalds already.... *grumble* ;-)

For 40 odd years the footpath has been a footpath and illegal to ride
on, then VicRoads dug up North road and created a new bus-lane as the
left most lane. Catering for the displaced cyclists is by a
relabelling of the footpath from Clayton primary school to Dandenong
rd as a "shared footway", where you have to mix with primary-school
children, pedestrians from an elderly people's home, seven driveways
and now a McDonalds drive-through before arriving at the Dandenong
road intersection.

Your other option is to ride in the lane adjacent to the bus-lane --
since it is illegal for cyclists to ride in the bus-lane unless it is
signed as a shared Bus/cycle lane, and by VicRoads regulations this
cannot be done if the speed limit is greater than 60km/hr. Note that
if you ride in the bus-lane you are likely to be abused (verbally and
physically) by bus drivers, and if you drive in the adjacent lane you
are likely to be abused (verbally and physically) by motorists who
want you out of their way and to ride in the bus-lane!

Adrian

Meanwhile, yet another month has passed and VicRoads still haven't
commissioned the traffic lights at the Huntingdale station end of
North road and I've yet to see any cyclists routinely use the bike
path up the middle of North road.