According to a report in today's Herald Sun, bike commuting is booming to the point that Bicycle Victoria was now hearing complaints about congestion on cycling routes
and Harry Barber reckons that Bicycle Victoria sees such complaints as a very good thing
.
If all your concerned about is more people cycling more often
, then maybe that is a good thing. But if you want people to stick with it, then they've got to be able to enjoy it.
That said, I think the news on commuters is pretty good:
New VicRoads figures show the number of cyclists using off-road paths during the morning peak has increased by almost 20 per cent in a year.
The biggest increases have been in Footscray, Carlton North and Northcote…
In one year, the average number of cyclists using off-road paths during the morning peak has gone up by 435, or 19 per cent, based on February figures.
But the trails aren't quite as popular on weekends:
The average number of weekend cyclists using off-road paths actually fell by 391, or 3 per cent.
If congestion is starting to be a problem on bike paths—and clearly they are busier on weekends than weekdays—then it's not at all surprising that people who ride the trails for recreation will be the first to drop off. Commuters will probably stick with it, even if they have to get off the trails and find alternative routes (and there's nothing at all wrong with that).
These figures are available because VicRoads maintains a small network of induction loop counters in locations from St Georges Rd to Gardiners Creek at Glen Iris, and Footscray Rd to the Anniversary Trail. The Herald Sun report reckons this network is currently being expanded:
VicRoads is installing bicycle counters at four sites in the city, and there are plans for counters on St Kilda Rd, Flemington Rd and Royal Pde next month.
And that's got to be a good thing.
heh - you should see the jam at the Brunswick road crossing on the Upfield bike path in the mornings! When the light changes for a measly 10 seconds you get a surge of 20 or more bikes all trying to make it across before the traffic starts again.
I don't think it's quite as bleak as Timboy suggests:
- If you ride outside of peak commuting hours (as I do, in the evenings) you can have the trail almost to yourself
- I find the average skills level of trail cyclists actually rises in winter as the fair-weather cyclists and recreational trundlers drop off
That said, there have been a few mornings this year where (in similar circumstances to what woowoowoo describes) I've found myself wondering about alternative routes. I guess it's only a matter of time before I'll have to do something that…
I've not had congestion troubles on Heidelberg Rd, but the warning above about the Upfield track concerns me as I'm moving to Coburg North in a few weeks and need to get in to the CBD. And it's narrow. May need to do some more scoping of routes.
I checked out the Merri Creek trail, and I think it's safe to say it's not a commuter track either - way too narrow and too many walkers and dogs for safe cruising.
Indeed. I would agree that for most cyclist the Merri Creek Trail is not a practical commuting route.
But then if I had an otherwise suitable route, I don't think I'd let one unfriendly traffic light put me off. Judging by woowoowoo's route, I'd say the Brunswick Rd crossing is more of an inconvenience than a show-stopper.
Comments
I think congestion and safety are big problems, especially on the main Yarra track.
Even though I seldom ride on tracks, I now avoid them more or less altogether for safety reasons.
Especially in winter, in the dark with cyclists of varying skill levels, bikepaths aren't a safe commuting option.