Comments on: Bike path congestion: it’s here http://treadly.net/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/ Work is just something I do between bike rides Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:01:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Treadly and Me http://treadly.net/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/comment-page-1/#comment-828 Treadly and Me Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:16:21 +0000 http://treadly.thingoid.com/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/#comment-828 <p>Indeed. I would agree that for most cyclist the Merri Creek Trail is not a practical commuting route.</p> <p>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 <a href="http://www.woowoowoo.com/2006/04/20/my-little-commute/" rel="nofollow">woowoowoo's route</a>, I'd say the Brunswick Rd crossing is more of an inconvenience than a show-stopper.</p> 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.

]]> By: Charlie B. http://treadly.net/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/comment-page-1/#comment-827 Charlie B. Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:49:17 +0000 http://treadly.thingoid.com/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/#comment-827 <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> 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.

]]> By: Treadly and Me http://treadly.net/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/comment-page-1/#comment-826 Treadly and Me Mon, 25 Jun 2007 06:45:21 +0000 http://treadly.thingoid.com/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/#comment-826 <p>I don't think it's quite as bleak as Timboy suggests:</p> <p> <ul> <li>If you ride outside of peak commuting hours (as I do, in the evenings) you can have the trail almost to yourself</li> <li>I find the average skills level of trail cyclists actually <em>rises</em> in winter as the fair-weather cyclists and recreational trundlers drop off</li> </ul> </p> <p>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…</p> 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…

]]> By: woowoowoo http://treadly.net/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/comment-page-1/#comment-825 woowoowoo Mon, 25 Jun 2007 04:27:26 +0000 http://treadly.thingoid.com/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/#comment-825 <p>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.</p> 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.

]]> By: Timboy http://treadly.net/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/comment-page-1/#comment-824 Timboy Mon, 25 Jun 2007 04:20:57 +0000 http://treadly.thingoid.com/2007/06/25/bike-path-congestion-its-here/#comment-824 <p>I think congestion and safety are big problems, especially on the main Yarra track.</p> <p>Even though I seldom ride on tracks, I now avoid them more or less altogether for safety reasons.</p> <p>Especially in winter, in the dark with cyclists of varying skill levels, bikepaths aren't a safe commuting option.</p> 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.

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