By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Dandenong North cyclist Nyssa Sims was at first a sceptic about on-road bicycle lanes.
She is now a regular rider on Gladstone Road, converted by the lane’s wide sanctuary. On the main, apart from going around the occasional parked car, it puts a safe buffer from cars.
“They’re a lot wider than lots that you see around.
“And because they’re wide, it feels quite safe compared to other bike lanes.
“It’s certainly better than nothing.”
It’s a similar treatment to the controversial new markings on Corrigan Road in Noble Park.
Ms Sims hasn’t ridden Corrigan Road before but often uses the Gladstone Road lanes, then travels in the Princes Highway service lanes to Dandenong.
Before the bike lanes went into Gladstone Road, cars would drive nearer to the left and give her less space. She would resort to a safer and more circuitous route to Dandenong.
Generally Ms Sims sees more riders using the footpath than the bike lanes – she presumes because they feel safer.
“Personally I feel it should be legal to ride on the footpath.
“When you’re out here in Dandenong, people aren’t as used to cyclists on the road.”
Ms Sims said there was also a lack of connection between bike paths and lanes, which also forced cyclists onto footpaths.
“People believe there should be at least 1-metre mandatory passing distances (between cars and bikes).
“But on a lot of these roads you can’t do it. There’s not enough room.”
