Drivers and cyclists will share the road equally for the first time in Queensland, after Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) opened the state’s first ‘Active Safe Road’ on Friday last week.
Pierce Street in South Toowoomba has been redesigned to give cyclists the same priority on the road as cars, motorbikes and other popular forms of paid transport.
The Active Safe Streets upgrade includes a lower speed limit of 30km/h, a terracotta ‘shared travel area’ for bicycles and motor vehicles, speed humps, marked on-street parking and new signage.
With the changes now in effect, the following guidance has been applied to road users:
- The current speed limit is 30km/h. This regulation applies to all traffic participants.
- Cyclists must ride near the center of the shared lane (terracotta painted area).
- Car drivers must maintain a speed of 30km/h or less behind the cyclist until it is safe to overtake, ensuring a distance of one meter from the cyclist. You are allowed to drive through the outside lines of the terracotta area to safely overtake or overtake oncoming vehicles.
- Standard road rules apply along this street and at intersections
The project is co-funded by Toowoomba Regional Council and Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads through the Bicycle Network Local Government Grant Program.
Toowoomba councilor Trevor Manteufel said: “Building on the design of a successful Western Australian project, we are delighted to introduce this new street treatment to Toowoomba and look forward to it becoming a a benchmark for others to follow in our region and across Queensland.”
“As our region grows, we are looking for more ways to encourage people to be more active, whether it is walking or cycling, and to rely less on personal vehicles for commuting.”
The Western Australian Government defines safe streets as ‘specifically treated local streets, designed in conjunction with local government to create safer shared spaces for people walking, wheelchairing, cycling or driving.’
Active Safe Streets was introduced in Western Australia last year and has spread worldwide. They are also known as neighborhood greenways, bicycle avenues, and quiet streets.
On the Safe Activity Road, cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast in the center of the lane, cars can only pass through the side spill areas when the road is clear.
