Coastline Cycleway

In the Illawarra, much of the Coastline Cycle way is complete, but there are a number of missing links and shortfalls such as inadequate signage, route inconsistencies or hazards. The 2010 Illawarra Survey of the NSW Coastline Cycle way, an initiative of the Illawarra Active Transport Taskforce (IATT), aims to provide information and recommendations for a whole of government approach to cycling and walking infrastructure along the coastline of the Illawarra.
 
The survey was conducted by members of the IATT with assistance of our affiliated Bicycle User groups and other interested cyclists. The 70 km route was divided into six sections and participants rode a section each week from north to south. They observed, identified, and documented detailed opportunities for improvement for each section.
 
The benefits of cycling or walking are numerous and remain the same whether the trip is for recreation or transport to a destination. Cycling and walking are practical and fun ways to: reduce the risks of climate change and air pollution; cut traffic congestion; reduce travel costs; and importantly, reduce the risks of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and depression. The British Medical Association reports that the health risks of inactivity are 20 times greater than the health risks posed by a potential cycling accident. In other words it is a greater risk to do no activity than it is to ride a bike.
 
In each of the last ten years Australian bike sales have surged ahead of car purchases. The cycling industry is now worth over 1 billion dollars (Bicycle Industries Australia Ltd, 2006) and cycle tourism is an increasingly popular way for Australians to take time out. Dr Sue Beeton, La Trobe University, calculated that a cycle tourist spends an average of $258 dollars per day - a great boost to regional economic growth. 

Objective of the Audit
 
The focus of this Audit is improvements that will provide the most benefit in attracting more people to the NSW Coastline Cycleway and enable them to follow the path without local knowledge. It is the start of an ongoing process of improving cycling and walking facilities with the aim of increasing the use of active transport.

Clear route markings
 
These should include distances to the next point of interest and townships; directional signs showing direction of the Coastline Cycleway route; signs to railway stations; and billboards showing an overview of the Coastline Cycleway.  Directional signage should include both distances and travel times.

Clear Shared Use Path marking
 
This would confirm the path's status as shared use, reinforce the 'Keep Left' message, and warn of upcoming hazards. The Shared Use Path marking should conform with the RTA's 'Shared Path - User Advisory Signs' technical direction TDT 2001/07a, and other relevant documents.

Clear on-road stencilling
 
These should include arrows at intersections, route marking, and advice to motorists of the possibility of cyclists on the road, in accordance with RTA AustRoads guidelines.

Safe bicycle crossing points
 
To improve safety at intersections, where the shared path crosses roads, use RTA AustRoads guidelines. This should also include adding bicycle crossing lights to signalised intersections. The sequencing of traffic signals should also be adjusted to allow the pedestrian/bicycle phase to be activated at any point in the sequence if there is time for pedestrians to cross safely

Clear sightlines
 
Clear sightlines are needed to allow for safe use of the path and avoid collisions or falls, and are described in RTA guidelines. Unbroken centrelines, 'Keep Left' symbols and warning signs should be considered at curves with poor sightlines. The maintenance of sightlines can be minimised by good planning and the selection of appropriate path-side plantings.

Adequate path width
 
In order to accommodate path users, clear space on path sides are required to allow for emergency ride-offs and space to move off the path safely. Congestion on our older paths clearly highlights the need to carefully consider the path usage when deciding on the path width. The effective width of paths is also reduced by trees, power poles and other obstructions even if adjacent to the path.