Now that the first event has wrapped up on “Queens Wharf Plaza” (ie. the corridor that has been the Bicentennial Bikeway since 1988), it’s time to reflect on what went down, and where we might go from here. But first, let’s talk about those rumble strips…
Part 2 – bumps in the road
Along with the arrival of Star Entertainment’s “Sono Luma” blockage came another set of hazards on the Bicentennial Bikeway—and these are permanent. Multiple (8?) sets of rumble strips were installed along the bikeway through Queen’s Wharf Brisbane between the North Quay Ferry Terminal and the turn-off to Waterline Park and 1 William St.
It’s not clear if these are designed to slow-down riders (in which case they seem counter-productive as they are actually slightly less uncomfortable at faster speeds) or just alert them to a crossing or shared zone ahead.
The bumps are unpleasant to ride over on a bike. But on a small-wheeled device like a scooter, skate-board, or roller blades/skates they are potentially very dangerous. We also think they’d be very uncomfortable and off-putting for someone on the pedestrian side using a wheely-walker or pushing a pram or stroller (let alone riding in one).
From Reddit we heard from one user almost immediately: “I found out the hard way. Coming down the hill from William Street, I turned onto the bikeway and hit these lines sideways. Instantly, I was thrown off. These markings are raised at least 6–8mm, and they completely mess with the control of anything with small wheels. Scooters, skateboards—it doesn’t matter.”
Initially, the strips just look like a set of painted lines; it’s not obvious until you’re on them that these are actually raised strips. As far as we know, there is nothing about this sort of treatment in any of the standards and guidelines for bikeways. So how have the Queens Wharf Developers been allowed to install these on one of the country’s busiest paths??
Bicycle Queensland also heard very loudly from their members that the rumble strips are dangerous, and had this to say:
“BQ has also raised with Destination Brisbane Consortium our concern over the rumble strips placed on the bikeway near Queens Wharf Plaza without consultation with any bike groups. We believe that these strips are unnecessary, and a safety concern especially for e-scooter riders.”
Bicycle Queensland CEO, Alton Twine
Since we (and others) first highlighted this issue on social media, crews have been out on the bikeway grinding off the sharp edges of the rumble strips (starting on the pedestrian side), in what looked like a hot, dusty and tedious process.
The “improved” rumble strips are now slightly smoother to ride over, and possibly slightly less dangerous. But our questions remain: what was the process that allowed these dangerous and non-standard hazards to be installed in the first place; why are there so many of them; and how can a private corporation be somehow exempt from following established standards for safety infrastructure on bikeways??
As of 20 December 2024, Bicycle Queensland report in relation to the rumble strips: “This is an on-going concern and we have no news to report on that matter.”
Space for Cycling Brisbane 