Works begin to improve cyclist safety

Works have begun to improve cyclist safety across four separate locations at Yarramundi Reach, one location at Acacia Inlet, and one location on Dunrossil Drive, Yarralumla.

Chief Executive of the National Capital Authority (NCA) Sally Barnes said the NCA was pleased to have worked with Canberra’s biggest bike-riding community, Pedal Power and officials from Government House throughout the design process, with their feedback and input informing the final design.

"The works across the sites at Yarramundi Reach and Acacia Inlet include the removal of existing ‘banana bars’, widening of the pathway to separate left and right lanes and the installation of safety bollards. Works at Acacia Inlet also include remediating the bitumen roadway from the intersection of the cycle path crossing all the way to Black Mountain Drive," Ms Barnes said.

"Works at Dunrossil Drive include the installation of signage and line marking to slow vehicle speed, the installation of signage, re-routing the cycle path alignment to slow cyclist speed and the creation of significant landscape areas to prevent the creation of shortcuts through grassland areas.

"The NCA looks forward to continuing to work with Pedal Power to improve cyclist safety across the National Estate."

Pedal Power ACT, Chief Executive Officer Ian Ross congratulated the NCA on the investment in improvements to the lake paths, at Dunrossil Drive, and in particular the replacement of dangerous banana bars with high quality ‘island’ design bollards

"These Islands will provide an attractive and highly visible lane separation that will make our paths safer for people walking and riding bikes around the lake, while also serving as a functional barrier to prevent people from driving their cars onto these paths and using those paths to access the lake," Mr Ross said

Pedal Power have been really pleased by the interest taken by the NCA in engaging with the Canberra cycling community to develop solutions that would work for all path users. We think Canberrans will be really pleased with the outcome.

"While the work is being carried out, bike riders will need to be patient, slow down, give priority to pedestrians and exercise some caution using the temporary paths," Mr Ross said.

Temporary path diversions will be constructed to allow cyclists to negotiate the areas of work without impediment, with the paths being removed once the works are completed, which is expected by 30 June 2019.