ANGRY cyclists have called for the removal of a Thurgoona pedestrian crossing that they claim forces riders into the path of cars.
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Close to 20 cyclists have gathered at the new crossing, at the crest of a hill on Thurgoona Drive, to stage a protest against the addition of three concrete refuges for pedestrians.
The cyclists claim the refuges, one in the middle of the road and two on either side, force riders out of parking lanes and into a narrow car lane.
“Up until now cyclists have been able to ride two abreast in the parking lanes and co-exist with drivers with very little danger ... but now we are forced to merge into a busy traffic lane,” said James Sloan, who is heading the campaign.
“This can slow traffic down to 15kmh and at certain times of the day, when sunlight gets in both the riders’ and drivers’ eyes, they might not see each other until the last minute.
“By that time there’s nowhere for them to go than to crash into the middle barrier.”
A dozen riders have written to Albury Council voicing their concerns with many citing near-crashes at the crossing.
Paul McAuliffe crashed his bike into the middle barrier and broke a wheel after realising a car was close to hitting him from behind.
Tony Smith said a taxi driver recently tried to pass a group of cyclists but after seeing the middle barrier “had to brake heavily and his vehicle skidded slightly sideways, almost taking out a couple of cyclists and the signage”.
“This monument will serve as a tombstone for someone if Albury Council doesn’t act to remove it,” rider Colin Johnston said.
Council engineering services group leader Andrew Lawson said the crossing had been open for public comment in 2004 during a five-year review of the council’s pedestrian access plan.
He said the crossing had been approved by the Roads and Traffic Authority and the side barriers were no more of a challenge to cyclists than a parked car.
“Riders should not just be flying through at a constant speed ... but may have to slow down and look behind them first,” Mr Lawson said.
His department also referred complaints to the RTA which suggested the barrier’s kerbs be painted, that glass beads be installed to provide an outline of the barriers at night and that a sign be erected to warn cyclists and motorists that the road was narrow ahead.
But Mr Sloan said this just wasn’t good enough.
“Everyone already knows the hazard is there, that’s not the problem,” he said.