fyi - more wheelie good fun re: commuter cyclists vs smog boxes. Hey Gemma, wanna take Mr Conlon out for some interval training? 😉
**********
Two wheels quicker than four
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,20015449-5006301,00.html
August 02, 2006 11:30pm. Article from: The Advertiser
Cyclists commuting to work in the city have a distinct advantage over motorists when it comes to travelling times, an experiment by staff at The Advertiser has found.
This morning four teams set off from designated points north, east, south and west of the CBD, one person on a bike and one driving a car, to see who would make it to their desk first.
Every cyclist arrived first while the motorists continued to make their way through the congested traffic, or searched for a spot in Waymouth Street's busy Topham Mall carpark.
Notably, IT analyst Gary Pike - who used a dedicated cycling route that runs parallel to the O-Bahn track - reached The Advertiser building 14 minutes ahead of photographer Tait Schmaal, who drove along a similar route.
The result supports Bicycle Institute of South Australia chairman Sam Powrie's call for dedicated cycling routes along rail corridors, known as "green travel corridors".
Mr Powrie said the corridors would encourage more people to cycle because they provided a safer option than riding on arterial roads.
The institute is calling for the Government to make a funding commitment to green travel corridors in the upcoming State Budget, he said.
See the full story and pictures in tomorrow's Advertiser.
****
The great race
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,20021703-2682,00.html
August 05, 2006 12:15am. Article from: The Advertiser
Cyclists commuting to work in the city during morning peak hour have a distinct advantage over motorists when it comes to travel times, an Advertiser trial has found.
Yesterday, eight staff from The Advertiser raced from their doors to their desks - half on bicycles and the rest in cars - and the bike riders won hands down.
But Transport Minister Patrick Conlon yesterday indicated he was unlikely to be seen riding to work along Adelaide's failing major transport corridors. "I'm not sure if I could beat a car on my bike," he said.
One of the Advertiser cyclists beat his driving counterpart by 14 minutes.
Information Technology analyst Gary Pike had an advantage over the other cyclists - riding in from the northern suburbs he was able to use bikeways to save himself navigating traffic on busy arterial roads.
Bicycle Institute of South Australia chairman Sam Powrie said he was not surprised the cyclists had arrived between four to 14 minutes ahead of the motorists.
He said Mr Pike's example supported the need for dedicated cycling routes identified as "green travel corridors" in the State Government's cycling strategy, Safety in Numbers.
"The bikeways Mr Pike used are not continuous - they are semi-finished - but his example goes to illustrate the potential of cycling," he said.
"For many people, cycling is a very realistic way of freeing themselves from the iron grip of petrol prices and car ownership, and it has enormous health benefits."
Mr Powrie said he was calling on the State Government to commit funding to green travel corridors in the upcoming Budget.
RAA traffic and safety project manager Rita Excell said motorists using Fullarton Rd were now travelling significantly slower than they were three years ago. The average morning peak hour speed on the road is 21km/h, compared to 28km/h in 2003.
"They are spending almost five minutes longer to travel the same distance," she said.
Over the same period, average speeds on South Rd have stayed relatively constant at 22-23km/h, but were still well below acceptable levels of 30km/h for a road zoned at 60km/h, she said.
The RAA believes the planned north-south route and an effectively functioning ring route around the city would reduce driving times.
"When completed, this investment will address the long-standing congestion issues affecting commuters travelling into and around the city from north and south of Adelaide," Ms Excell said.