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Warning to Bike Riders

25/4/2014

Following concerns raised by Clr Candy Bingham at Manly Council's Community & Safety Committee, Council Rangers and Police are to undertake a blitz to ensure better safety for cyclists and pedestrians in the Manly area.
They will target riders who don’t give way to pedestrians, disobey traffic signals and signs, ride on footpaths and do not wear helmets.

Cyclists riding on The Corso and other prohibited areas will also be targeted.

"Another area of concern has been cyclists riding across pedestrian crossings, particularly early in the morning in their haste to get to the ferry. Near the Manly Art Gallery is another area where residents have lodged complaints about careless cyclists causing chaos," Clr Bingham said.

While wanting to encourage bike riding as an alternative form of transport and exercise, safe practices need to be applied.

What has your experience been?

8 Comments

David Griffiths

11/5/2014 05:29:12 am

Cyclists need to be aware of their own fragility and the need to wear helmets and be very visible. On Easter Saturday my son's father-in-law was killed in Mosman when a motorist failed to see him on his bike. I, myself, have ended up in hospital after hitting a slightly raised manhole cover in Manly (my helmet saved me) and on an another occasion in emergency surgery - also in Manly - when I hit a car that suddenly braked after a pedestrian suddenly decided to cross the road.

Roderick West

11/5/2014 09:15:31 am

If Scott Anderson IS standing in The Corso in the picture, why is he allowing a cyclist to ride in a prohibited area? My experience is that the Rangers are very nice, but useless. The Marine Parade is inundated with cyclists at the weekend and I have NEVER seen any cautioned. Middle aged skate boarders are a worse menace!

Ian Littlemore

11/5/2014 11:26:03 am

I agree with the comment about cyclists on Marine Parade. I think Council should erect a larger and clearer sign prohibiting cyclists using Marine Parade on weekends and then should enforce the ban. I have never seen rangers confronting cyclists riding along that section.

Tim Stewart

12/5/2014 02:23:22 am

As a "middle-aged skateboarder", cyclist, pedestrian and motorist, I find the character of these kind of initiatives and the comments they elicit to be hugely disappointing. What happened to such basic values as politeness and mutual consideration, whereby people employing different modes of transport can respectfully share common infrastructure? When using or crossing the shared pedestrian / cycle section of the beachfront promenade, I always check for bikes, and when riding my bike along there I always slow for pedestrians. How hard is that? Why must we rush to solutions involving the stereotyping and demonisation of a segment of society (in this case, one employing a healthy and liberating mode of transport) and the "alles verboten" approach to regulation? And as for Marine Parade, are the "locals" commenting on this thread aware of its special place in cycling heritage? (Clue: 1983)

Deborah Dickson-Smith

13/5/2014 07:26:29 am

I agree Tim, there's a really worrying trend to demonise cyclists - a horrible "Us vs Them" mentality that is popping up more and more across all sorts of issues in this country. And at a time when we should all be considering healthier, cheaper modes of travel - with a lower carbon footprint. I'm not convinced the shared path along the beach front works actually. Especially as it seems to double as a place for people to get dressed before getting in their cars!

Lisle Fortescue

12/5/2014 08:56:43 am

Wentworth Street is a bad spot for cyclists using the footpath. With cycle racks outside Coles and Rialto Square, it appears cyclists believe they can cycle up on to the footpath at Darley Road and then continue right down to South Steyne. Bear in mind there is a cycle lane on the road, so why are they on the footpath?. It appears that children are permitted on the footpath riding their cycles, but this isn't the go ahead for mum and dad..
What is the use of the Manly Community supporting the cyclists requests, and giving up part of the roadway for their use, if they ignore our generous co-operation and now place us in danger on our footpaths.

Paul O'Brien

13/5/2014 04:29:29 am

Blitz ! What blitz ?
I am in and around Manly 2-3 times a day and I see no evidence of any enforcement action by Council Rangers who seem oblivious to the problem. Case in point - I saw a Ranger walking near the Council building and a cyclist came slowly past, no helmet riding on footpath then jumped the curb on the wrong side and diagonally meandered across the road and onto the pedestrian crossing. The Ranger seemed oblivious.

29/6/2014 05:05:27 am

I've just moved to Manly and got a bike. I cycle everywhere and if im in an area with many pedestrians just cycle slowly to lower any risk of collision - common sense. Everyone seems totally kool and polite. Let's stop telling everyone what to do and just live.

Warning to Bike Riders

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