Dec 11, 2017, 18:44
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Sydney cyclists will undoubtedly be familiar with former NSW minister for roads Duncan Gay, self styled as "the biggest bike-lane sceptic in the government." Gay was recently been appointed to an advisory role for the transport and infrastructure consultancy firm MU Group. Having removed cycleways in Sydney during his tenure, cyclists, city planners, and political opponents struggled to come to terms with what many considered to be a clear step in the wrong direction.
Now that he's in a new role with a group that bid for NSW transport contracts, things could be about to get worse for Sydney cyclists. Let's take a closer look at bike lanes, why we need them, and what happens when they disappear.
Why use bike lanes to begin with?
Forward-thinking leaders across the globe have implemented bicycle lanes as a means of future-proofing their cities. Cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam have included bike-friendly infrastructure such as cycleways and non-car incentives in all future developments to improve things on multiple fronts.
Firstly, providing more cycle-friendly infrastructure encourages people to bike instead of using cars. The benefits to this are significant. It means less congestion on public roads, which makes it easier for public transportation to flow efficiently. It means fewer carbon emissions, which is far less taxing on the environment. It means a greater level of health and physical fitness for citizens, which reduces strain on healthcare infrastructure.
Providing cycleways allows people to live a lifestyle that is better for their health, the environment, and the city in which they live. It gives them license to ride safely, and the only conceivable drawback is the cost to set up the infrastructure, which is arguably offset by the benefits.
What happens when they are removed?
It was a "give me convenience or give me death" attitude that nailed the coffin closed for Sydney's bike lanes. Gay was able to gather support to remove the already implemented bike lanes and the 4-5,000 daily cyclists in the Sydney CBD have had to suffer the consequences.
In place of the dedicated bike lanes, Sydney cyclists received new laws dictating what they were allowed to do, and the penalties for minor offences were huge fines. One example includes a $425 fine for riding on the footpath, regardless of how many people are about or what the conditions on the road are. Cyclists saw this as a move to keep them safe by getting them off the roads.
How could we improve things on Australian roads?
We need dedicated cycle lanes in all major Australian cities. If state governments are to invest in infrastructure for cyclists, the best way to ensure their safety is by having dedicated bicycle lanes with strong, reliable safety barriers. This way, everyone is safe to cycle, and the arbitrary minimum distances are enforced with steel. Safety for our cyclists should be paramount, and a reuptake of dedicated lanes is the best way forward.
Webforge's Monowills Velocity meet all safety requirements for cycle railing. While we may have a long way to go to reinstate bicycle lanes in Sydney, Webforge has your project covered.