The Albion “death lane” claimed another life, spurring renewed calls from cycling advocacy groups for road laws and infrastructure policy reforms.
A 37-year-old cyclist was hit by a northbound semi-trailer on Hudson Road near the Albion Overpass in August. The driver was said to have been initially unaware that he had struck the cyclist. The cyclist was dragged several metres upon getting hit and died at the scene.
Anne Savage, Chief Executive Officer of Bicycle Queensland, said she had written to the State Government asking for the creation of a road safety and travel commission as well as an increase in funding. Ms Savage is calling for a compliance audit of the state cycling infrastructure policy. She also sees a need to reform the heavy vehicles laws.
The area of the recent road accident is widely considered by cyclists to be a “black spot” because of its narrow roads which heavy vehicles need to negotiate via a difficult 90-degree turn. Stage 1 of the North Brisbane Bikeway was finished in 2016, stopping just 500 metres from the area of the accident. The project’s route is under the Albion Overpass. Construction of stages 2 and 3 are scheduled to begin 2019.
Photo credit: Google Maps/google.com/maps
Move Safe Brisbane
The Brisbane City Council conducted the Move Safe Brisbane consultation last August in their effort to improve safety for those walking and cycling in Brisbane. The initiative was the initial step in gathering feedback from pedestrians and cyclists as part of the Council’s Pedestrian Safety Review.
Feedback Map
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/yoursay.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The consultation involved feedback maps on which road users identify locations in Brisbane which they think could be improved for pedestrian and cyclist safety. The survey closed last 28 August and is now being reviewed and evaluated by the Council.
“Information from people’s personal experiences on our roads, both as pedestrians and as other road users, will pinpoint the locations where pedestrian safety is being compromised due to either behaviour or design,” Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said.
“Community-led information will provide valuable insight for Council that will help assess what measures are required to improve public safety and will be used in addition to Queensland Police Service crash data, the Brisbane Metropolitan Traffic Management Centre information and Council’s Transport for Brisbane bus incident data,” Cr Quirk said.
The feedback gathered from the survey will be used to identify and prioritise safety and bikeway projects across Brisbane. The Council is expected to report the key outcomes by late 2018