Cyclists were asked to dismount: three did and 191 rode on

When Wollongong City Council introduced its new “no cycling” signage to coincide with the King’s Birthday long weekend, Blue Mile users were left scratching their heads.

The “dismount” zone stretched for just 25 metres along an area of the popular coastal walk fenced off for construction of the seawall extension.

The problem was that the area deemed to be a no-go cycling zone wasn’t the narrowest section of the footpath.

Enquiries from The Illawarra Flame last week asking if there would be any other sections of the Blue Mile to be restricted to walking only prompted the painters to return late last week, adding an additional 60 metres of “Cyclists Dismount” signage to the pavement.

Job done. Or is it?

For the past week, The Illawarra Flame has monitored cyclist behaviour since the introduction of the new signage.

Breaking the rules

Some may suggest we have way too much time on our hands, but over a combined two-hour period over six days, we have counted 191 cyclists riding through the “no cycling” stretch. Only three riders dismounted and walked their bikes as directed along the busy pathway.

With no-one (but us) on patrol and monitoring cyclist behaviour, it’s probably no great surprise that bikes are still being ridden through this congested stretch of The Blue Mile.

It does beg the question: why not extend the ”no cycling“ zone an additional 40 metres to the north to the new Diggies pop-up cafe and 120 metres south past the North Beach Pavilion worksite and beyond the historic tramway cutting, which is often chockers?

As a regular walker along the Blue Mile, I’ve lost count of the number of near misses I’ve witnessed as cyclists zoom along, often exceeding 30km/hr and weaving in and out of pedestrians, runners, children and dog walkers.

Providing a safety zone of about 250 metres doesn’t seem too big an ask on what is probably the busiest pedestrian thoroughfare in the city.

Complaints to council

Wollongong City Council confirmed the new measures were taken after numerous complaints about safety risks on the Blue Mile from members of the public. At this time, however, it appears the restrictions will only be temporary.

“Fencing currently required to facilitate the construction works to extend the Emma McKeon Promenade, and upgrades to the North Beach Pavilion and North Beach Kiosk buildings, has resulted in a temporary narrowing of a section of the shared path,” a council spokesperson said.

“In response to community concerns, an assessment of the site was undertaken and an additional control introduced for cyclists to dismount while in this narrow section for pedestrian safety.

Council said the signage was a temporary measure and would be removed once the construction works are completed. That’s expected to be in the first half of next year.

“We urge all users of the shared path to be courteous and comply with the installed signage to ensure everyone can continue to safely enjoy this much-loved section of the Blue Mile through this temporary disruption.

Footnote: early Tuesday morning, the temporary signs stuck on the pavement were gone – apparently unable to withstand the wear and tear.