this post was submitted on 10 Apr 2023
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‘Knee-jerk reaction’: Sydney cycle path to be ripped up months after opening (www.smh.com.au)
submitted 1 year ago by ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml to c/fuck_cars@lemmy.ml
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"A cycle path built through part of Sydney’s inner west will be ripped up on Tuesday, five months after it was completed, due to a council decision described by riders as a knee-jerk reaction to complaints from residents."

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[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

@ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml I am absolutely furious that Canada Bay council is going ahead with this act of environmental and infrastructure vandalism.

If you've ever asked why Australia doesn't have great quality cycling infrastructure or transport planning that reflects the realities of net zero by 2050, here's a big part of the reason.

It's car-brained local governments listening to NIMBYs.

"A cycle path built through part of Sydney’s inner west will be ripped up on Tuesday, five months after it was completed, due to a council decision described by riders as a knee-jerk reaction to complaints from residents.

"The separated bike path on Heath Street in the inner west suburb of Rodd Point is part of a planned $7 million cycleway designed to connect the Bay Run at Iron Cove on the banks of the Parramatta River to Concord."

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/knee-jerk-reaction-sydney-cycle-path-to-be-ripped-up-months-after-opening-20230406-p5cym2.html

UPDATE: I did some more digging into the local council in Canada Bay, and found this about the mayor:

"The Independent Commission Against Corruption is currently investigating allegations Canada Bay’s long-term mayor Angelo Tsirekas accepted perks from developers, including international flights and accommodation, in return for favourable decisions."

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/i-m-sounding-a-bit-like-a-liberal-councils-pursue-massive-cash-grab-20220822-p5bbpc.html

#cycling #bikes #bicycles #Sydney #NSW #CanadaBay #Politics #NSWPol #AusPol #News #Urbanism #UrbanPlanning #Bike #Walkable #Cities #NIMBY #Politics

Ping @SydneyCyclewaysFan @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews @betterstreetsnsw

[–] jmcleod@mastodon.au 3 points 1 year ago

@ajsadauskas@aus.social @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @SydneyCyclewaysFan @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews @betterstreetsnsw

Design authority for cycling infrastructure needs to be taken away from councils.

No need for it to be politicised by grand-standing local demagogues running on a dog-whistle platform of "we hate cyclists getting in our way when we're driving our SUVS on roads we pay for and they don't"

I'm actually starting to think it WOULD be a good idea to get rid of local councils altogether. Nothing important would be lost.

Local councils are where we store mediocre politicians who are really trying to get a safe state or federal seat.

[–] ukuku@mstdn.social 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

@ajsadauskas@aus.social @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml that’s truly sad. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a project completely removed like that.

[–] jedsetter@aus.social 2 points 1 year ago

@ukuku @ajsadauskas @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml It's terrible and disappointing. But not without precedent! See: College Street. Interestingly in that case the council was the proponent of the bike lane and the State took it out.

[–] jmcleod@mastodon.au 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@ukuku @ajsadauskas@aus.social @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml The Geelong council in Victoria tried to do the same thing but the state government intervened and stopped the vandalism.

The lowest class of politicians will politicise anything they can if it helps them dog-whistle and set segments of the public against each other. They love to create zero-sum culture war divisiveness in the community, rather than consensus. Distracts attention from their lack of vision and competence. If you can't do anything good, then just encourage the already-entitled demographics to attack less-entitled demographics.

Democracy allows this to happen sometimes. If we don't spend all our time preventing bad actors from taking over the system.

[–] markmetz@sfba.social 2 points 1 year ago

@jmcleod @ukuku @ajsadauskas@aus.social @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml

This is all past tense here in the USA. We’ve been at each other’s throats every since Reagan sold us on trickle-down economics in the 80s.

[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

@ukuku @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @SydneyCyclewaysFan @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews @betterstreetsnsw Jake Coppinger @jakecoppinger has written a very detailed blog post about the decision by Canada Bay Council. The blog post is up here: https://jakecoppinger.com/2023/03/canada-bay-council-plans-to-remove-heath-st-cycleway-due-to-a-misleading-traffic-report/

Among other things, they hired a car-focused traffic engineering firm to do an "independent" report.

After Jake and others pointed out the major errors in that report, Canada Bay City Council pulled it from their website, and updated their website from saying cycle lane removal to cycle lane "modification".

The council has requested feedback about the proposal:

"To submit your feedback online please fill in the form below. Alternatively, you can also provide feedback via email through council@canadabay.nsw.gov.au or by mail to Locked Bag 1470 Drummoyne NSW 1470."

I suggest we take them up on their request, and provide them with feedback.

[–] jedsetter@aus.social 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

@jedsetter @ukuku @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @jakecoppinger @SydneyCyclewaysFan @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews I've just sent them a letter as well. The address is council@canadabay.nsw.gov.au.

To all whom this may concern at Canada Bay Council,

I just wanted to reach out about your council's shameful, disgraceful decision to remove the barrier-protected bike lanes along Heath Street, in favour of two additional on-street parking spots.

As you are no doubt aware, your council has rightly been condemned in the media, including in The Sydney Morning Herald over the Easter long weekend, for this reckless act of car-brained infrastructure vandalism: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/knee-jerk-reaction-sydney-cycle-path-to-be-ripped-up-months-after-opening-20230406-p5cym2.html

You have completely ignored the views of the community and local residents in this decision, as well as the broader community across Western Sydney.

Here are just some of the quotes from residents in that SMH article:

"They just decided they wanted to get rid of it. They’re just focusing on the people who don’t want it − it is a real NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) exercise where they got the council on to support them. They have used state money to do it, and now they want to rip it up."

"A lot of people don’t ride bikes because of speeding cars. Removing the cycleway and just replacing it with a few logos on the road is just going to discourage people who were looking for a safer option. It is a retrograde step."

(1/4)

[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

@jedsetter @ukuku @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @jakecoppinger @SydneyCyclewaysFan @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews It is incredibly telling that the council has pulled the traffic report from its website, as well as modified the language on its website to say it is "modifying" rather than "removing" the cycle lane: https://jakecoppinger.com/2023/03/canada-bay-council-plans-to-remove-heath-st-cycleway-due-to-a-misleading-traffic-report/

This cynical dishonesty from Council would frankly not be necessary if this were a good decision that was supported widely by the community.

The decision to remove the protected lane in favour of restoring two parking spaces is disastrous for a number of reasons:

  1. It shows an absolute and utter contempt to both local residents and taxpayers across the state, whose $7 million funded this protected bike lane.

  2. Removing the protected bike lane substantially increases the risk of serious injury and death for cyclists commuting along this stretch. Council has blood on its hands for anyone killed or injured as a result of this reckless and stupid decision.

  3. This decision will encourage more people to drive to work, rather than cycle, using the already congested streets of Sydney's inner west.

  4. More people driving rather than cycling means more traffic congestion across the Inner West. This additional congestion doesn't just affect people in the Canada Bay LGA, but across the entirety of Western Sydney.

(2/4)

[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

@jedsetter @ukuku @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @jakecoppinger @SydneyCyclewaysFan @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews 5) It has been shown, time and time again, that increasing road capacity does not decrease traffic, but instead encourages more people to drive. This well-documented phenomena is known as induced demand.

The solution to traffic problems across Inner Western Sydney is to provide alternatives to driving, which is an incredibly inefficient use of road space. That is achieved by rolling out *more* protected bike lanes, not bulldozing the ones you have.

On a separate but related note, I understand that Mayor Angelo Tsirekas has already faced an ICAC investigation for his alleged corruption: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/i-m-sounding-a-bit-like-a-liberal-councils-pursue-massive-cash-grab-20220822-p5bbpc.html

"The Independent Commission Against Corruption is currently investigating allegations Canada Bay’s long-term mayor Angelo Tsirekas accepted perks from developers, including international flights and accommodation, in return for favourable decisions. He vowed to fight the allegations."

Given these already serious allegations, I suggest that it's not a great look for Mayor Tsirekas to engage in acts of car-centric infrastructure vandalism that ignore the will of the community in order to create two additional on-street parking spaces for nearby developments.

(3/4)

[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@jedsetter @ukuku @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @jakecoppinger @SydneyCyclewaysFan @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews Rather than dramatically increasing traffic across the inner west, with the additional pollution this will create across Western Sydney, and increasing the risks of deaths and injuries, the council should instead seriously reconsider whether the nearby developments really need the two additional on-street parking spaces.

I strongly urge you to do the right thing and actually listen to the community on this one, and retain the protected bike lane on Heath Street.

Kindest regards,

AJ Sadauskas.

(4/4)

[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@jedsetter @ukuku @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @jakecoppinger @SydneyCyclewaysFan @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews

Well, it took until June, but someone from the council finally responded.

From Traffic_and_Transport AT canadabay.nsw.gov.au:

"Hi AJ,

"Thank you for providing your feedback in relation to the cycling infrastructure in Heath Street, Five Dock. I apologise for the delay in responding.

"Whilst it is noted that some community members may be disappointed with changes to the cycling infrastructure in Heath Street, Council remains committed to improving cycling infrastructure throughout the Council area and effectively engaging with the community as part of this process.

"Works to modify the cycling infrastructure have recently been completed and follow up monitoring is currently being undertaken.

"To keep you to date with the Regional Cycleway project and future community consultation, you can follow the project at collaborate.canadabay.nsw.gov.au/ewcycleway.

"Should you have any further enquiries regarding this project please do not hesitate to contact me on 9911 6448.

"Kind Regards,

Shankar"

#cycling #bike #bikes #urbanism #bicycle #bicycles #UrbanPlanning

[–] SydneyCyclewaysFan@urbanists.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

@SydneyCyclewaysFan @jedsetter @ukuku @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @jakecoppinger @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews The exact same letter with the same wording?

And to any other people who commented: Did you get the same pro-forma response from the council as well?

[–] jakecoppinger@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@ajsadauskas @SydneyCyclewaysFan @jedsetter @ukuku @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews This was my reply I received 19th of April. I sent an email Apr 13th seeking clarification on the CityHub article and if the position on removal had changed (the article was incorrect - the author must have been confused by the council wording): https://cityhubsydney.com.au/2023/04/inner-west-cycleway-to-stay-after-council-flips-on-decision-to-demolish/

The Deaign Modification Proposal has this photo which sets things out clearly, which I included in my analysis at https://jakecoppinger.com/2023/03/canada-bay-council-plans-to-remove-heath-st-cycleway-due-to-a-misleading-traffic-report/

Dear Jake,

Thank you for your email.

I can confirm that council is not removing the cycleway route but only modifying the design.

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

…

[–] rowdypixel@hachyderm.io 1 points 1 year ago

@jakecoppinger @ajsadauskas@aus.social @SydneyCyclewaysFan @jedsetter @ukuku @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews "modifying the design" is an extraordinarily dishonest way to describe removing the entire thing but painting a couple extra bike logos on the road.

[–] SydneyCyclewaysFan@urbanists.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@SydneyCyclewaysFan @jedsetter @ukuku @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml @jakecoppinger @cyclingnews @walk_sydney @sydneyurbanismnews Apparently "effectively engaging with the community" at Canada Bay council means sending people a pro-forma letter.

I decided to write them back...

"Dear Shankar, Andrew, Brendan, and all whom this may concern,

"One more thing.

"Just a little heads up about something.

"Next time, before you send everyone who responded to an inquiry with the same pro-forma letter, you might want to check that it hasn't gone viral on social media.

"Because, when there's several Mastodon threads full of people who received the same pro forma letter, it comes across as a little insincere to say you are 'effectively engaging with the community as part of this process'.

https://aus.social/@jakecoppinger/110097973671882457

https://urbanists.social/@SydneyCyclewaysFan/110468342468417639

"Just a thought.

Kindest regards,

AJ"

#NSWpol #AusPol #Politics #CanadaBay #cycling #bike #bicycles #bicycle #cycle #Urbanism #UrbanPlanning #politics

[–] quoll@mastodon.sdf.org 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@ajsadauskas

> improve the overall safety of all users

ಠ_ಠ

[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago

@quoll Yes, these Canada Bay Council morons think cyclists will be safer battling car traffic than in a dedicated bike lane. They think the streets will be safer if more people drive, rather than cycle.

[–] andrewfeeney@phpc.social 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@ajsadauskas What?! 🤦‍♂️

[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 1 points 1 year ago

@andrewfeeney IKR!

They're removing a barrier-protected bike lane and are replacing it with *TWO* parking spaces.

They will also paint "additional bike logos" on the road "to alert drivers to watch for cyclists riding on-road".

They claim that will make the road safer than a barrier-protected bike lane.

They've also asked for the public to send them feedback at council@canadabay.nsw.gov.au.

[–] LimitedWard@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

The comments in that article were quite the rollercoaster. My favorites were the people saying they never see anyone biking in their neighborhood and one guy saying that they should rip it out because there are more cars than bikes 🧠🧠

[–] k_o_t@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

the anglosphere can just be considered lost at this point tbh 🤷‍♀️

[–] ajsadauskas@aus.social 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

@k_o_t @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml It really is difficult to overstate just how backwards this decision is.

A lot of the problem is that many local councils outsource these decisions to external contractors and consultants who don't have a lot of expertise in barrier-protected bike lanes and modern Urbanism.

These contractors pretend that induced demand doesn't exist, they look at moving cars rather than moving people, and give really awful advice. That seems to be what's happened here.

So even where you have good barrier-protected cycling infrastructure in place, as you have here, as soon as a couple of NIMBYs complain that they want more on-street parking, it ends up getting bulldozed.

It's backwards, car-brained thinking of the worst kind.

It truly is time to make a choice: the NIMBYs or the planet.

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