CYCLISTS riding on one of the west’s major bike paths fear being
struck by cars accessing the new West Footscray railway station car
park.
The Cross Street bike path between Ashley Street and the Western
Oval is part of the Principal Bicycle Network but cyclists say cars
entering and exiting the new car park built as part of Regional Rail
Link works often cross the path without checking for bikes.
West Footscray’s Brent Houghton said he had had some close calls while riding the popular route on his daily commute to Prahran.
“I’m a very careful cyclist and I’m very aware of what cars are
doing, but I have had a couple of incidents there that have been a bit
touch and go.”
Mr Houghton would like to see more signage and better marking for
both cars and cyclists to have a clearer idea of who has right of way.
“At the moment I actually don’t ride that part of the path as it’s just too dangerous, I feel safer on the road.”
Jason den Hollander of Bicycle Network Victoria said cyclists riding on the bike path should have priority over cars.
He said the bike path and car entry ramp both being concrete further confused the situation.
BNV wants a ‘‘stop’’ or ‘‘give way’’ sign for cars approaching the
exit as well as a different colour for the path where it crosses the
entryway.
BNV is also calling for a ‘‘watch for cyclists’’ sign on Cross Street and for vegetation to be trimmed to improve sight lines.
Western suburbs Greens MP Colleen Hartland has asked the Regional
Rail Link Authority to upgrade the bike path before an accident occurs.
“The Cross Street bike path is part of the Principal Bicycle Network and
was built only recently. It is disappointing to see such disregard for
this important cycling infrastructure,” she said.
RRL Alliance general manager Steve Cornish said all feedback was
considered and there would be further improvements as work progressed
and the station neared completion.
