Metro gives new drivers passing experience
The latest intake of Metro bus drivers has more understanding of passing distance laws since using the new Bicycle Network–Road Safety Advisory Council educational mat in their training.
The mat shows visually what 1 metre and 1.5 metres looks like between a person on a bicycle and a vehicle.
To reinforce the message, we placed the mat between a bus and a bike and the class took turns sitting in the driver’s seat so they experience the distance as they would when on the job.
We also experimented with blind spots, showing the new drivers that bicycles sitting just before the door of the bus can’t be seen in their mirrors.
Coastal pathway set to get rolling
Another step towards the coastal pathway between Wynyard and Burnie has been taken with the news that Burnie City Council has been appointed manager of the rail corridor.
Mayor Steve Kons said the tender for pathway construction will be advertised in the next 6 months.
The state budget has allocated $12 million to fixing erosion along the corridor over the next two years.
Northern corridor project to widen cycleway
The Tasmanian Government has released a study into three different public transport uses for he northern suburbs rail corridor which shows regardless of which mode is chosen the cycleway will be widened to 4 metres.
The study looked at the pros and cons of light rail, rapid bus or trackless tram along the corridor and started with the premise that the cycleway would be 4 metres wide. It is currently 3 metres wide but in some places it feels narrower because plants and fences intrude into the path.
Campbell Street loading zone rider hazard
Some riders may have noticed car delivery trucks putting safety cones around themselves on Campbell Street recently, which can intrude into the bike lane.
This is because the trucks have a rail which juts into the bike lane at rider head height, so the cones are being put out to stop people crashing into it.
The trucks have been pushed into the Campbell Street loading zone because construction on Argyle Street has blocked access to their ordinary loading zone.
This will hopefully be temporary and they will soon be back on Argyle Street.
Hobart Council drops city centre speeds to 40 km/h
Tasmania’s Transport Commissioner has given the green light to Hobart City Council to reduce its city centre speed limits to 40 km/h.
Slower speeds mean quicker driver reaction times and less chance of people being seriously injured or killed in crashes.
40 km/h has been the norm for years in other cities and there is now a worldwide move towards 30 km/h speeds in areas with a lot of people walking and riding, like city centres.