3 September 2012

Take care when crossing Northbourne onto Morphett St

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This morning I saw the results of another cyclist who had been cleaned up by a car crossing Northbourne Avenue into Morphett St Dickson and was being carted off to hospital.

In the past I have found this intersection particularly dangerous for cyclists both as a driver and as a cyclist. This is because, the turn is quite a fast one (with hardly any angle and without a stop sign), the cars maintain momentum while trying to beat three lanes of oncoming cars and the cyclists are unexpectedly a little behind the cars that have accelerated away from the pedestrian lights a few metres further along Northbourne. As well, I don’t remember seeing it this morning but there has been some sort of workman’s tape on the nature strip for a while which seems to obscure vision and, in the morning, the sun shines off the windscreen at just the wrong angle to make these cyclists difficult to see from the left.

I don’t want to start another driver versus cyclist war but I have seen several near misses and had a couple myself (both in the car and on the bicycle) so I just wanted to warn people who might travel that way. Also, if I stop to check that area thoroughly before going across Northbourne please don’t act like the odd impatient driver who honks because I didn’t accelerate straight through.

My sympathies to the cyclist and the driver and I hope the cyclist recovers quickly.

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Cyclists are being stupid. Right of way doesn’t mean much when ur a paraplegic, or dead.

If u can opt for riding on the road instead of the footpath, in the name of ‘safety’, them why couldn’t you ride that extra little bit to get on the bike path that’s on the western side? Sure, it’s not too straight, but it does go to civic.

When I ride on the road, I don’t try and win some bs argument – I watch out for the big, heavy, angry, metal things….

markconley said :

Isn’t there traffic lights crossing just north of the intersection. Isn’t this where SOME bicylists got through the RED light?

Possibly, but how is that relevant to the issue?

Isn’t there traffic lights crossing just north of the intersection. Isn’t this where SOME bicylists got through the RED light?

I have felt road-ragey because of cars behind me beeping at me when I turn right there because I was too slow. Once because I saw at the last moment that a teenager on a bike was about to cross Morphett – from the footpath – without looking right. I would’ve cleaned her up if I wouldn’t have anticipated that she was just going to go. And I seriously considered staying there for another minute to block the d!ckhead behind me from crossing. But I didn’t…

Best wishes to those involved and hope any recovery is quick.

An awkward intersection at the best of times, and much worse with the “safety tape” to obstruct your view going north when turning across Nthbrne into Morphett St. But it is controlled by a sign, if not a stop sign.

Masquara, I think you need to check the OP as it reports the car driver was crossing the major road (Northbourne) against a give way sign with the person riding the bicycle having full right of way.

I think everyone should be extra careful going through that spot.

Agree – I’ve had a near miss when cycling south on Northbourne in cycle lane but driver turning right into Morphett from northward lanes on Northbourne didn’t see me behind a southbound car he was waiting for. When car passed, off he went. I had hand on his car as I at last moment turned left onto Morphett rather than get hit. Whilst the driver was technically in the wrong, his error was pretty understandable – so much to keep an eye on there.

A stop sign for drivers turning into Morphett would help a bit I guess but ultimately the incentive is with the cyclist to be wary of both those drivers plus ones turning left onto Morphett from southward lane of Northbourne. Perhaps flashing amber lights would remind both drivers and cyclists.

Cars crossing Northbourne onto Morphett St. Bicycles moving with traffic.

Masquara said :

Isn’t that right near – like, within 20 metres of – a pedestrian crossing where cyclists can safely dismount and walk across, with cars stopped at the red light?

Yes, and it’s only 200m from a set of traffic lights where any vehicles can safely turn right with an arrow… how many people drive the extra bit to go round the block to where they need to get to?

AsparagusSyndrome9:35 pm 03 Sep 12

Masquara said :

Isn’t that right near – like, within 20 metres of – a pedestrian crossing where cyclists can safely dismount and walk across, with cars stopped at the red light?

Why would a cyclist travelling south towards Civic, along Northbourne Avenue, suddenly want to use the pedestrian crossing at that point? It would take them well out of their way. They’d end up in Lyneham, instead of Civic. That would be no good at all, when they work in Civic. Not much to do in Lyneham, when all your office pals are waiting for you in Civic…

Isn’t that right near – like, within 20 metres of – a pedestrian crossing where cyclists can safely dismount and walk across, with cars stopped at the red light?

Agree! As a cyclist coming down Northbourne I’m wary of that one, especially when there’s queued traffic. And as a driver I’ll admit I’ve almost hit a cyclist coming out of Dickson.

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