Submission regarding provision for cyclists in Tyagarah area.

Bike Users and Cycleways
Many local residents use bikes and would use them more if facilities were improved.

Interconnection of Villages

We also support the interconnection of villages, such as Bryon to Mullumbimby, by whatever means is most cost effective, widened shoulders or separate cycleways.

Grays Lane Tyagarah

Members regularly ride down from Prestons Lane Tyagarah to the highway on Grays Lane. East Tyagarah residents use Grays Lane for access to Byron, Mullumbimby etc. Grays Lane is dirt and very badly maintained. Many residents find the road to be “cyclist unfriendly”.

After grading, it develops bone jarring corrugations rapidly. Can anything be done to improve the maintenance cycle or the effectiveness of the maintenance ? Currently, after grading it is much improved but degenerates back to it’s original state in just a few weeks.
It needs a sign alerting drivers to cyclists and pedestrians. This is a simplest cost effective step which would help the situation.
It needs a speed limit. Currently, a car can pass a cyclist or children walking to the bus at 100km/h. I have been hit by gravel thrown up by passing cars.

Highway Cycle Path >From the Tyagarah rail overpass south towards Byron interchange : Steep, Dangerous and Genuine Risk of Accidents
RTA have installed a bikeway which only a non-cyclist could design. For a cyclist travelling south, just south of the overpass, a sign directs cyclists to cross the highway from east to west, at Myocum Rd., crossing 4 lanes of traffic doing 100km/h. The rider then continues south on a dedicated cycle path which traverses very steep terrain, at one point diving into a very steep gully. Only the fittest cyclists could ride up the other side. Eventually the cycle track gets to Kennedy’s Lane, where it terminates and cyclists are again directed to cross the 4 lane highway from west to East, rejoining the old highway, which runs beside the new free way.

The cycle path and the old highway are overgrown with grass and rarely maintained.

Riding on the old highway with long grass extending onto the roadway obscures motorists views and creates risks for cyclists.

In summary, this cycle path

requires cyclist to cross a total of 8 lanes of 100km/h traffic
traverses very steep terrain
is poorly maintained.

There are genuine safety concerns, which mean this needs urgent attention. The simplest solution would be to provide a cycle lane on the highway, from Myocum Rd turnoff to Byron interchange. Such a cycle lane is already provided on Tyagarah straight, so why this wasn’t done initially is not obvious.

We would very much appreciate councils help in lobbying RTA to rectify as this is clearly something RTA is responsible for.

General Observations about Cycleways and Integrating Cycling into the Road Network

In various place, including Brisbane and at Tyagarah, there are examples of dedicated cycle ways which start and stop at odd points, causing

a transition on and off public roads.
Some in Brisbane terminate at a street, without indicating how to continue of the cycle route.
Don’t always go somewhere practical.
Seem to have recreational value
Not always well maintained
Can be very scenic and safer than roads with no provision for cyclists

These points highlight issues to be considered if cyclepaths are to be a useful facility in the shire, providing practical a alternative to motor vehicle use.

There is probably a balance to be struck between cycleways and “on road” provision for cyclists.

Perhaps a key option is to integrate cycling into the road network as a whole, with cycleways for the most popular routes. This would involve thoughtful design, consultation with cycling groups, signage, motorist education and annual bike days etc.

Thankyou for undertaking the survey and taking an interest in the needs of cyclists