Introduction
We strongly support this project. A separated two-way bike path connecting Iron Cove to Rozelle Parklands is exactly the kind of infrastructure Inner West needs; it fills a major gap in the cycling network. We thank Council for progressing this and for adopting previous community feedback.
We welcome the excellent design features that have been incorporated into the concept design, especially:
We welcome the excellent design features that have been incorporated into the concept design, especially:
- Dedicated cycleway, separated from traffic.
- Removal of the slip lane at Mary Street.
- Kerb extensions into side streets and Lilyfield Rd, which visually narrow the space, calm traffic, and reduce turning vehicle speeds.
- Bike storage boxes at Mary Street.
- Cycleway bend-out and raised priority crossing at Catherine Street.
- A crossing over Lilyfield Road at Catherine Street for cyclists using Grove Street.
- PS-2 bike symbols and Bikes May Use Full Lane signs on the vehicle travel lanes for the downhill sections, which encourages faster riders to use the road, thereby leaving the cycleway for less confident or newer riders.
1. Path width on steep western sectionTo reduce safety concerns in the steep western section of the path (8% gradient), please widen the cycleway from 2.6m to the maximum width possible. A 3m wide cycleway can be achieved by narrowing the parking lanes to 2m (on the north they’re 2.1m wide and on the south side, they’re wider than necessary, at 2.4m).
TfNSW’s Cycleway Design Toolbox recommends even wider cycleways. For an even safer design, please consider removing the small amount of parking on the south side of Lilyfield Rd on this section, and shifting the centre line south, to enable an even wider cycleway on this steep strip. The project has a large net increase in parking, and effectively relocating some bays from the western side of Lilyfield Road to the eastern end is justifiable.
However, if these are not possible, we still strongly support the two-way design. Many riders, especially those who would never choose to ride on a busy road regardless of conditions, need protection in both directions. A one-way uphill solution would exclude exactly the people this infrastructure is meant to serve.
TfNSW’s Cycleway Design Toolbox recommends even wider cycleways. For an even safer design, please consider removing the small amount of parking on the south side of Lilyfield Rd on this section, and shifting the centre line south, to enable an even wider cycleway on this steep strip. The project has a large net increase in parking, and effectively relocating some bays from the western side of Lilyfield Road to the eastern end is justifiable.
However, if these are not possible, we still strongly support the two-way design. Many riders, especially those who would never choose to ride on a busy road regardless of conditions, need protection in both directions. A one-way uphill solution would exclude exactly the people this infrastructure is meant to serve.
2. Balmain Road connectionsBalmain Road north of Lilyfield Road is a major walking route to school, with high pedestrian activity particularly around the childcare centre and preschool north of Eric Street. The western side of Balmain Road at the Lilyfield Road crossing is already a dangerous pinch point, with buses passing a narrow footpath at close range. We ask Council to widen the western footpath as an immediate improvement. When the time comes to extend cycling infrastructure along this corridor, a separated cycleway will be needed to keep cyclists and pedestrians safe.
On the bridge over City West Link: the eastern footpath is effectively unusable, as people cannot cross City West Link on the eastern side and are forced into a triple crossing. We suggest that Council consider removing the eastern footpath and using that space to widen the western side, a better outcome for both pedestrians and a future cycleway.
On the bridge over City West Link: the eastern footpath is effectively unusable, as people cannot cross City West Link on the eastern side and are forced into a triple crossing. We suggest that Council consider removing the eastern footpath and using that space to widen the western side, a better outcome for both pedestrians and a future cycleway.
3. Maliyawul Street opening widthWe ask Council to narrow the Maliyawul Street opening to Lilyfield Road from 10.6 m to approximately 7 m, consistent with other side streets along the route. The current width encourages fast entry by larger vehicles (including limousines and boat trailers) into a stretch with high pedestrian and cyclist activity adjacent to the Le Montage car park and the Bay Run shared path. Narrowing the opening would reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for cyclists exiting Maliyawul Street toward Canal Road under the City West Link. Drivers of long vehicles being forced to give way to each other is a good way to further calm traffic at this potential conflict point.
4. Additional crossing & cycleway entry opportunitiesWe encourage openings to enable cycleway access from side streets, and support any additional crossing opportunities along and across Lilyfield Road, for example:
• A raised pedestrian and cyclist priority crossing across Rayner Street, with additional traffic calming along this rat-run route.
• A crossing over Lilyfield Road between Grove and Ryan Streets.
• A crossing at Grove Street/Catherine Street to enable easier cycleway access from Grove Street, calm traffic, and reduce pedestrian crossing distances.
• A raised pedestrian and cyclist priority crossing across Rayner Street, with additional traffic calming along this rat-run route.
• A crossing over Lilyfield Road between Grove and Ryan Streets.
• A crossing at Grove Street/Catherine Street to enable easier cycleway access from Grove Street, calm traffic, and reduce pedestrian crossing distances.
5. Additional shared pathsPlease consider the following additional shared paths where feasible:
• Northern side of Lilyfield Rd, between Lamb Street to Cecily Street.
• Easton Park crossing to Denison Street and past the amenities block to Burt Street.
• Northern side of Lilyfield Rd, between Lamb Street to Cecily Street.
• Easton Park crossing to Denison Street and past the amenities block to Burt Street.
6. Driveway treatmentWe ask Council to consider alternatives to driveway dips for the cycleway (like Livingstone Rd). Most other councils use half-kerb-height cycleways with two laybacks (red arrows, right), which maintain a flat cycleway and improve the riding experience.
Driveway treatment: half-kerb-height cycleway with laybacks keeps the path flat
7. Catherine Street contraflowWe would support a scope increase to include improvements to the Catherine Street bike lane and contraflow path, which would improve access to the cycleway from the south.
8. Crossing detection: optical sensors over push buttonsPlease trial optical bike sensors at crossings, or at minimum confirm that push buttons are accessible to cargo bikes carrying children. Bikes with front buckets, increasingly popular with parents, require riders to dismount to press buttons, deterring less confident riders. Optical or in-road sensors are the better long-term solution.
9. Speed limit reductionWe ask Council to consider a reduced speed limit on Lilyfield Road, particularly west of Mary Street on the downhill approach to Hawthorne Canal. A 40 km/h limit would be an appropriate intermediate step; 30 km/h should be the goal between Gordon Street and Ryan Street, given proximity to parklands and limited crossing opportunities.
Conclusion
Thank you for your consideration. Implementing these suggestions will also better align this project with the Design of Roads and Streets Manual, thus, improving the chances of a successful grant application.
Bike Marrickville is incredibly pleased to see Council taking proactive measures to improve rider safety and encourage active transport in the area. We commend Inner West Council for remaining committed to its goals in the Community Strategic Plan, Integrated Transport Strategy, and Cycling Strategy.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss our submission with Council staff.
Yours sincerely,
Sander Ottes - Committee Member
Ellis Bou-Harb - President
Bike Marrickville is incredibly pleased to see Council taking proactive measures to improve rider safety and encourage active transport in the area. We commend Inner West Council for remaining committed to its goals in the Community Strategic Plan, Integrated Transport Strategy, and Cycling Strategy.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss our submission with Council staff.
Yours sincerely,
Sander Ottes - Committee Member
Ellis Bou-Harb - President
RSS Feed