A community of bikers is urging Brisbane City Council to install a temporary protected bikeway on Coronation Drive in Milton, whilst the Bicentennial Bikeway is out of service due to upgrades and clearing operations following the flood.
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The Bicentennial Bikeway closed in January 2022, whilst a redecking project is being carried out at the Regatta Ferry Terminal. Besides the works currently underway, the former Drift restaurant was also pushed onto the bikeway during the recent flooding, leaving a section of the bikeway closed for cyclists.
With works also underway, pedestrians have diverted into the cycle lane side, making it a shared path.
Brisbane West BUG (Bicycle User Group) and Space4Cycling believe the footpaths are not enough to accommodate bicycles and scooters.
“We STRONGLY urge Council to install a temporary on road cycleway between Lang Parade and Cribb Street. We are sure Queensland Walks agrees that the footpaths are inadequate to accommodate bicycles and scooters,” Brisbane West BUG stated.
Aside from a temporary protected bikeway on Coronation Dr, Space4Cycling said speed limit should be lowered, as happens during roadworks, whilst so many additional pedestrians and bike and scooter riders are forced to use skinny footpaths or ride on the road.
During Council’s Transport Committee meeting in March 2022, Cr Ryan Murphy confirmed the Bicentennial Bikeway is the top priority bikeway for repair, recognising its importance as critical and essential transport infrastructure.
Mud has been cleared to the side on the bikeway between the Go Between Bridge and Ann Street whilst the Cribb Street ramp to Coronation Drive, and tunnel to Milton Green have also been cleared.
Pontoon was fenced off beyond Herschel Street whilst Maritime Safety Queensland were clearing the pontoons, jet skis and boats out from the bikeway near the Milton CityCat terminal.
Meanwhile, local Greens state MP Michael Berkman supports the calls from bike user groups, adding that the detour must be of a high standard, including diversion signs, physical protection and appropriate traffic control on Coronation Drive.
“An on-road bikeway diversion which is protected from motor traffic is required as a short-term safety measure given that many cyclists are exercising their legitimate right to ride on the road on Coronation Drive instead of the very narrow footpath. This is a recipe for disaster, and many of my constituents have contacted me in the last couple of days with stories of near misses,” said Mr Berkman.