Article in The Weekly Times, February 7

M2 cycle plan futile

Keeping cyclists off a section of the M2 wonÕt ease traffic congestion on the motorway, says Ryde Mayor Clr Ivan Petch.

He was commenting recently on a proposal to ban bikes from five kilometres of the westbound breakdown lane on the M2 between Lane Cove and Beecroft roads.

ÒIt is obvious that this scheme has not been thought through and it has been forced on us to compensate for the potential fall-out from next monthÕs Lane Cove Tunnel opening,Ó Mayor Petch said.

A residential detour is being negotiated for bike traffic, but Mayor Petch believes it will only put cyclists in danger. ÒIt will take more than signage to create a safe and workable alternative route for cyclists and local motorists, as was clearly demonstrated by Bike North. The proposed detour might look feasible on paper, but when you actually ride the route, it is clear that a high degree of cycling skill is required plus, at the very minimum, an extra 20 minutes to complete the journey.Ó Mayor Petch also wants to know where the money for the costly upgrade to residential streets will come.

Representatives of Trans Urban, the owners of the M2, the RTA and Bike North attended the Ryde Council Bicycle Advisory Committee last week to discuss the surprise plan. TransUrban and the RTA have agreed to provide further information and review the proposed detour.