January 23, 2022eastbug

23 Jan 2022

Gladstone Road, Dutton Park

It has been a long process, but we’re very happy to see that the remodelled intersection of Gladstone Rd and TJ Doyle Memorial Drive in Dutton Park is now fully operational. It’s great to see separated and protected bike lanes through this new intersection and past Brisbane South State Secondary College.
The separated left turn for cyclists coming up TJ Doyle Memorial Drive and into Gladstone Road appears to be working well, and is very much safer and more comfortable for people riding Brisbane’s famous River Loop than the original proposal.

Check out the light sequence: we’re happy to see that cyclists on Gladstone Rd receive the same priority as general traffic continuing straight ahead, while flashing amber signals are used to remind drivers to give way when turning.

The original plan for this intersection was a mess of slip lanes and green strips of death…

This intersection design is quite revolutionary for Brisbane, but it didn’t come about by accident. Thanks to everyone who signed our petition back in early 2020, and to the Queensland Government for responding to those concerns with a vastly improved intersection design. Thanks also to local councillor Jonathan Sri, Councillor for The Gabba for his ongoing support for improved conditions for active transport.

We hope this intersection sets a new standard and expectation for what can and should be delivered across the city.

Bridge to Boggo Road precinct

Nearby, another piece of the active-transport puzzle is set to fall into place at Dutton Park, with a new bridge connecting the PA Hospital Bikeway to Peter Doherty St in the Boggo Road precinct. This will create a much-needed east-west cycling connection in the area, linking the Veloway and the eastern suburbs across to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge to UQ and the Centenary Cycleway. More locally, it open up active travel opportunities for kids attending the Brisbane South State Secondary College, and provide better connectivity for people working at the PA Hospital.

Artist’s impression of the new bridge to Peter Doherty St

Again, this is something we have campaigned for for years, with representations to politicians (thanks Joe Kelly MP, Mark Bailey MP, and former Member for South Brisbane, Jackie Trad), and submissions to Cross River Rail from the very earliest stages. Thanks to those who signed our petition and provided much needed public support.

Bikes on Trains

There was some more great news from Queensland Rail and Minister Mark Bailey MP this week: following a successful trial, the restriction on taking bikes on trains during peak hours has been lifted permanently. Well done to Bicycle Queensland who first highlighted the opportunity for this change in response to COVID when train passenger numbers dropped.

We still think there are further changes that should be considered, but this is a great start. Removing the restriction on 2 bikes per carriage on off-peak services would be a great help for families, so a mum or dad with 2 kids could travel together. That is also important for growing cycle-tourism destinations such as stations on the Gympie line where there are only one or two services per day. Also, allowing boarding on central carriages where there is more appropriate space for bikes should be reconsidered (with the existing proviso that priority is always given to disabled passengers). Many older people, and those with physical limitations aren’t necessarily about to lift their bike across the large gap to the train from the end of many of Brisbane’s stations, so if the first and last carriage rule is strictly enforced the very people who most need the option to take their bike on the train are likely to be excluded.

Newstead Tce, Newstead

We agree with the residents of Newstead Terrace who are calling for a protected cycleway along that street to serve as the main route for commuting cyclists coming from the Lores Bonney Riverwalk and across the soon to be built Breakfast Creek Green Bridge.

We agree that anyone cycling along the Mariners Reach Boardwalk should keep to a very slow speed – especially when there are pedestrians around. We wouldn’t support a cycling ban along the boardwalk, but believe the residents’ concerns will be addressed by providing a safe and more direct route that will be the first choice of anyone cycling “at speed” to reach a destination.

It’s good to hear residents groups supporting active transport infrastructure and advocating for improvements to their local streets.

Crossing Lota Creek

Anyone who cycles between Brisbane’s eastern suburbs and the Redlands will no doubt be aware of the regular salt-water inundation of the causeway between Chelsea Road, Ransome and the Lota Creek Boardwalk connection to Whites Rd, Lota. This is the principal active transport connection from the Brisbane suburbs of Lota, Manly, Wynnum, etc. to the Redlands local government area. It is on the Principal Cycle Network Plan and forms part of the Moreton Bay Cycleway.

We are petitioning both the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council to work together to fix this issue; either by upgrading the Chelsea Road causeway and Lota Creek Boardwalk so it remains passable at high tide, or by providing an alternative off-road walking and cycling connection between Thornside and Lota – for example along the Cleveland Rail alignment.

Why two petitions? Although the causeway and boardwalk are entirely within the Brisbane City Council boundaries, it functions as a key link between two local government areas and supports transport, recreation, and tourism opportunities for people who live and work in both areas. We don’t think it’s appropriate for either Council or the State Government to shrug off responsibility to the other level of government.

Please sign both petitions; to Queensland Parliament and to Brisbane City Council

Nudgee Road petition tops 500

Speaking of petitions: our petition to Council asking for improvements to Nudgee road to make it more cycle friendly closed with over 500 signatures.

Nudgee Rd is a really important connecting bike route – which is why it’s on the principal cycle network plan. But currently the bike lanes appear and disappear – often right where you need them. Moving out around parked cars can be stressful and difficult to judge in busy traffic, but it wouldn’t take much to make this a much safer route for everyone. We hope Council takes this on board.

Old Cleveland Road at Carindale

Finally, here are a few pics of the latest progress on the new active transport infrastructure along Old Cleveland Road at Carindale as part of the “Eastern Transitway” project (which is essentially delivering priority bus lanes).

The shared path is now in place on the southern side between Bulimba Creek and Carindale St (although the connection to the Bulimba Creek Bikeway is not yet open). From there to Creek Road, the path is also well formed, but it seems unlikely it will open before the adjacent roadworks are finished. From Creek Road to Narracott St, you can now see the shared path on the northern side of Old Cleveland Rd.

We remain disappointed that people using the paths won’t have priority over turning traffic at Carindale St and on the (redundant) slip lane from Old Cleveland Rd into Creek Rd north-bound. However, for people who are not prepared to cycle on the road, this new infrastructure will offer a significant improvement, even if the journey is slowed by waiting for signals and gaps in the traffic.