| March 2024 |
Stay tuned for upcoming rides |
There's a lot going on in the cycling advocacy world around Western Sydney. Along with Bicycle NSW, CAMWEST has a seat at Traffic and Transport Liason Groups (TTLGs) for the M7/M12 Integration Project and the Mulgoa Rd Upgrade Project. So far in 2024 we've commented on the Blacktown Low Carbon Emission plan and the Bernera Rd (Prestons) upgrade. The Pippita Rail Trail masterplan is currently being studied. For details on some of these projects or to view submissions from CAMWEST and other groups, see Community Consultation.
There have been a couple of major openings over the last six months. On the 31st of October 2023 the Alfred St Bridge (or 'The Alfie') was opened. This connects with one end of the other major piece of infrastructure - The 5.8km Parramatta Light Rail Active Transport Link (Shared Path) between the corner of Alfred St and River Rd West in Parramatta, and Boundary Rd Carlingford which had a 'soft' opening on the 31st of May, 2023. It was a low-key event as some work is still being undertaken on the path and surrounds. Some of the access points are still not open, and there are some diversions in place. However, we've seen quite a number of people walking, riding and scooting along the path. It's another great active transport asset for Western Sydney. See Latest Cycle Route Changes for further details and other recent changes.
Although CAMWEST is generally very supportive of shared path infrastructure, there is an issue with shared paths built alongside major arterial roads that is causing some degree of frustration for shared path users: the long delays experienced in legally crossing minor roads at signalised intersections.
Often the pedestrian and cyclist lanterns along the paths default to red. They only change to green after the user presses the button to cross, and waits until the main arterial carriageway traffic signals turn red to let the traffic on the minor road enter the intersection, and then green again. Pedestrian and Cyclist lanterns are generally programmed to change to green when the main arterial traffic signals first change to green. If the shared path user presses the button moments after the carriageway lights change, they have to wait for a complete cycle before being able to cross legally.
Pedestrians are no strangers to this issue when approaching signalised intersections on normal footpaths. It’s arguably more pronounced for cyclists, as they tend to traverse greater distances alongside arterial roads than most pedestrians would, thereby encountering a higher number of these intersections.
While a motorist turning onto a major arterial road may only have a significant wait once, the pedestrian and cyclist can experience significant waits at numerous signalised intersections. This is time-consuming for both pedestrians and cyclists.
Pedestrian and cyclists have two choices when faced with these delays:
CAMWEST riders have noted that at some intersections, particularly those utilising a separate left turn slip lane and pedestrian/cyclist island, there doesn’t appear to be any obvious safety reason as to why the pedestrian and cycle lanterns changes to green couldn’t be synchronised with regular carriageway signals on the same side of the road as the shared path. The lanterns would probably need to turn red before the main carriageway signals turned red to allow time for pedestrians to clear the intersection. Further observations at a number of intersections, including those with right-turn arrows, are required to confirm.
To this end, CAMWEST are endeavouring to conduct an audit of intersections along major arterial roads in Western Sydney to determine which may be suitable to have their pedestrian & cycle lanterns phasing changed to conform with the above. Once the audit is complete, we would approach RMS and other stakeholders with our findings with a view to asking for a reprogramming of pedestrian and cyclist lanterns at appropriate intersections.
We wouldn’t anticipate any adverse outcomes for other road users from these proposals. We are looking for pedestrians and people who ride bikes to assist us in conducting these audits. Would you be keen to help?
If so, please get in touch via the Contact Us page.
CAMWEST members have been looking at possible options for filling the 1.5km missing link in the Girraween Ck Shared path between Toongabbie and Pemulwuy. If able to be constructed through a culvert under the M4, the path would provide a reasonably flat 5 km route from the existing paths in Pemulwuy to Toongabbie Railway station.
See a Markup on Google Maps, outlining our preferred route, but also showing some other options. If you live in the Pemulwuy area and would like to become involved, please get in touch via the Contact Us page.
On Oct 17th 2019 Rob and Charlene from CAMWEST joined with Bicycle NSW, State MPs, and representatives from other Bicycle User Groups and interest groups at Parliament House for the inaugural Bicycle NSW Bike Forum. Presentations, Q&A sessions and Small Group brainstorming & discussions were held canvassing a wide range of cycling related issues during the day-long event. See further details and the full Bicycle NSW report here.