Manly, Sydney

enzed said:

[font=Times New Roman]Pedestrians only please (Letter To The Editor)[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]AT last, somebody with foresight regarding our foreshore and footpaths is addressing the problem of bikes, namely MP David Barr.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]The Manly foreshore is being spoilt for overseas visitors and families just wanting a peaceful walk along our beautiful promenade.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]Cyclists ignore painted signs on the paths and even though there is a cycle lane by the roadside, they still insist on weaving their way through families with toddlers alongside the seawall. They don't even ring their bell to warn they are directly behind you on the footpath.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]As a result, hip operation or knee replacement victims will end up suing the council for allowing bikes on footpaths.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]Unbelievable as it may seem, cyclists even ride along the through the crowds.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]Dodging one of these careless perpetrators I called to him, 'You aren't allowed on the footpath and he yelled back, 'Been doing it for years, so f... off. [/font]

[font=Times New Roman]My suggestion, and plea, is to convert Manly foreshore into Manly Promenade (pedestrians only) from Queenscliff Bridge[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]right through to Manly Surf Club and discontinue the cycle lane alongside the roadway. .[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]After all, cyclists can't watch the view whilst steering. The bicycle[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]enthusiasts could enjoy their rides down by the lagoon, or get off their bikes and have some real exercise walking.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]A bicycle is a vehicle; its place is on the road.[/font]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Has anybody had a read of the "Manly Daily" today? I often take a 30min bike ride to Manly Beach, and have issues with this letter.
(1) It's true, one isn't supposed to cycle thru the Corso. Personally I walk my bike thru it, but others keep riding. If the council were serious about the bylaw, I daresay that behaviour could be changed.
(2) The majority of cyclists cycle along the Manly beach foreshore via the cycle lane. The few who don't have given reason , in the eyes of the pedestrain in question, to resent all cyclists. And the last we need is pedestrians having a go at us.
(3) And on most weekends & public holidays, the cycle way tends to get bogged by pedestrians. A cyclists has the option of weaving thru the people, or taking the road instead. I can tolerate it when the pedestrain in question is a tourist, but when it's a local. Really, they should know better and keep to the sea wall path. Not that I'm being a nag or anything.
(4) "[font=Times New Roman]or get off their bikes and have some real exercise walking.". [/font]
[font=Times New Roman]Now the writer is just being silly.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]Anyway, that's my rant for the day .[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]Happy riding.[/font]

I went down to the botany bay last weekend. It was so awesome!
I rode on the sharefootpath with the pedestrians!
but some of the pedestians they didn't even give the cyclists room.
until the foreshore (it after the airport) I change to ride on the road. just feel so sick to ride on the pathway.......... 😠 😠

Existing bikepaths, in general, don't work in Sydney, for all sorts of reasons. I can't think of one that I would choose to use, although I ride alongside many. In any case, the more of us that take our rightful place on the roads, the more that motorists will accept our presence and look out for us.

[font=Times New Roman]I moved from Adelaide to Sydney and can’t believe how poorly this city is set up for cyclists. It’s a shame to see a proactive move by a council being jeopardised by some whinger. Not that I’d cycle on that pathway anyway, but if I was out with young kids on bikes it would be ideal.[/font]
[font=Times New Roman][/font]
[font=Times New Roman]I used to frequently blade along the pathway the writer was referring to and basically had to give it away, particularly on weekends, as there were too many people walking 2 or 3 abreast blocking the entire path. In my opinion the best views are down by the seawall so I’m not sure why somebody would choose to walk next to a road as opposed to the sand.[/font]

artemidorus said:

Existing bikepaths, in general, don't work in Sydney, for all sorts of reasons. I can't think of one that I would choose to use, although I ride alongside many. In any case, the more of us that take our rightful place on the roads, the more that motorists will accept our presence and look out for us.

If you want to see a shared bike path and walkway that works go to Henley Marine Dr Rodd Point.

I cycle along the bike path at different times of the day. Pedestrian, runners and people pushing strollers always stick to the walkway.

The Manly bike path and walkway could work if the council didn't allow pedestrians to use the bike path.

I issue is making available space for all. A road based bike path is suited to the faster and more experienced riders, where an off road bike path, often shared is suitable for children, slower less experienced riders and casual riding. The ideal situation is to have different paths for different riders.

i agree that shared paths arent a good idea out there

manly is a tricky area i dont think you can post a couple of law enforcemnt blokes at the corso and tell them to watch for cyclists it sounds like trouble to me

because many people are that beach at any one given time are there

if we take the nimby approach it wont be long before we start that line of thinking at other beaches

councils cant stop people from using facilities their isnt a really easy solution to this problem i agree that in areas like a corso and pedestrian zones that bicycles should not be ridden but in reality we arent going to stop it 100% of the time.

i dont know...................................

shared paths arent a good solution out there but is it a great influx or is it the weekend teenagers on teh BMX's