John Thixton makes headlines!
Gil Webster
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{headline} City Bike Link 'Money Waste'{\headline}
A NEW, $300,000 cycle path linking the Spit to the city has been
branded a "complete waste of money" because the gradient on Pearl Bay
Ave is too steep for cyclists to tackle.
Manly-Mosman Bike User Group (ManMos BUG) president John Thixton said
he attempted to ride up the Pearl Bay Ave hill but could not make it
because it was too arduous.
"I had to stop and get off my bike and walk it up the hill," he said.
"Another member said he tried it and couldn't make it all the way to
the top either."
Mr Thixton said most cyclists took Parriwi Rd to commute to the city
during peak hours because the route was less challenging. "It's a
gentle, steady climb to the top," he said.
The 800m, Don't Battle Buses cycle link connecting Manly and Mosman to
North Sydney and the city was commissioned by Mosman Council as part
of its $1.2 million Spit improvement project.
The project, now complete, was a joint initiative between the council,
the State and Federal governments and the University of Sydney.
It includes an ecologically engineered seawall, salt marsh, a
pedestrian path, disabled-friendly access to the foreshore and
improved facilities.
The corridor has been marketed as an alternative commuter path for
cyclists travelling to and from the city as well as a scenic ride for
recreational cyclists.
But cyclist Alan Phillips, who was a member of Mosman council's bike
committee, said the path would
never he the preferred north-south commuter link.
"That route in its planning stages was always intended as an
alternative south-north commuter option and as a recreational route in
both directions," he said.
"The hills out of Pearl Bay reserve, Pearl Bay Ave and Glen St
preclude this route being adopted as the main north-south commuter
option."
Mosman Mayor Cr Anne Connon said encouraging cyclists to exit the Spit
Bridge on the west side would he a lot safer.
"Lots of cyclists will come back from the city via this route. It will
be safer and less harrowing for them during peak times," Cr Connon
said.
The council is yet to conduct official cycle counts at the Spit Bridge
to determine how many cyclists take Pearl Bay Ave, but last year Mr
Thixton said he counted more than 300 between 6.30am and 7.30am riding
to work via Parriwi Rd.
"They were coming thick and fast it would he interesting to see what
number of cyclists take the new path," he said. "I thought it was a
waste of money that could be better spent somewhere else, but I could
be wrong."
Norman Monshall, former chair of the Manly Bike Committee, said the
council had "put all its eggs in one basket" instead of allocating
some money to the east Spit bike link from the bridge to Parriwi Rd.
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Tones
Interesting comments about the alternative route. I have moved into
the City now - Darlington - so don't get over to Mosman and further
north much. I could manage Pariwi Road, as a "slow and steady" grind,
but the new alternative sounds like a waste of the council's money, as
you say. The counts will be interesting.
Tones
Geoff Errington
Geoff Errington
Mobile: 0414 091 594
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Paul Baynham
All
As a regular commuter to the city, I don’t see the logic of flying down spit hill and then having to cross to take on the new route.
I agree with John’s comments re using it more as a north bound route BUT they need to sign post it!!! The last couple of evenings I have thought, “Should try that new route” but have not got it memorised thus with no sign posting/directions, I follow the old route.
(PS Love the goldilocks description!)
Festive greetings
Paul