7pm 25 June 2013 at The Brewery
This time of year is very busy for us so it was great to have some enthusiastic and talented attendees at the meeting. Check out the minutes (under the meetings tab above) for updates on events/campaigns/projects and see where you can help.
One of our more pro-active members sent this analysis to TMR and TCC with photos. If you’d like to report anything, follow our guide: on the townsvillebugblogspot.com.au – how to get it fixed.
“I have used the bicycle pathway along Ross River, but actually find the hard shoulder on these two roads to be so wide that for majority of the trip I do not feel effected by the traffic. I do have one problem section of road heading out-bound along Charters Towers Road at the intersection of Queens Rd, Bowen Rd and Ross River Rd. Even though this is a cross-intersection, the traffic actually flows naturally from Charters Towers Rd to Ross River Rd. As a cyclist approaching this intersection in order to continue cycling from Charters Towers Road to Ross River Road there is basically two options.
The first is to follow the painted bicycle arrow on the hard shoulder, and then cut across one lane of traffic that is turning left into Queens Rd and forward to Bowen Rd. Into the lane that turns right towards Ross River Rd. This is a very busy intersection and cutting across this turning lane is very difficult whilst traffic is flowing and almost impossible, without getting off your bike, when traffic has halted.
The second option is to merge off the hard shoulder and into the flow of traffic near Hirst Street, which is where an additional lane (the turning lane) begins. This is approximately 200 meters from the intersection and means the cyclist is sandwiched between traffic flowing left in the turning lane and right onto Ross River Rd. When taking this option majority of traffic is considerate and moves into the two extra lanes that turn right. However the experience is unpleasant and unsafe for the cyclist.”
This is an excellent example of how to express your concerns to the relevant authorities. Keep it up.
Here is an excellent example of the way you can help make changes. Graham, like myself, is concerned about safety along some popular cycle routes. He wrote a letter complete with photos and GPS locations and sent a copy TMR and to the BUG. Here is Graham’s original letter: signageandwideninggrouprides.
I chased up an official response some months later. Here is their response: 4.1.13 TMR correspondence
It is disappointing but we have to believe that every time issues about improving the transport infrastructure for cycling are raised it makes a difference.
For an outline of how to make a difference:http://townsvillebug.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/get-it-fixed-who-to-write-to.html
The Townsville BUG site forum is now online, register now: www.townsvillebug.com/forum or use the link above.
Congratulations Jo Buckland. Thanks to Townsville City Council for the grant that made it possible to hold the raffle and to BNG for supplying the bicycle.
