Wakehurst Parkway Sydney: a deathtrap for cyclists

The 'bike lane' on Wakehurst Parkway has been the subject of disruption due to the installation of a new pipeline by Downer EDI. The remediation work by the contractor has been of a temporary nature leaving many lethal corrugated bitumen patches which are virtually impossible to ride across on a road bike. As a result cyclists are forced to swerve out into the traffic lane to avoid the obstacles.

Compounding the problem is the new painted lane dividing line which has a juddering corrugated surface that is extremely treacherous for a road bike to safely cross without being juddered out of the saddle.

The RTA's response to complaints about this has been to flick pass them to Downer as if the RTA has no responsibility in the matter.

One of our comrades paid the price for this tardiness with a broken body yesterday, 26 February 2011, when he crashed whilst negotiating this outrageous obstacle course.

He is recovering in North Shore Hospital with broken ribs and collarbone.

The RTA's policy of not designating a proper bicycle lane on this most popular of bike routes has been a long standing scandal. This recent callous disregard for cyclist safety is yet another sorry chapter in this disgraceful saga.

Please pass this video link on to all your cycling friends and add your comments - every one helps.

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Sports

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• WP2