Intersection pedestrian risk

Intersection pedestrian risk

Docklands’ Harbour Esplanade bike path is so attractive it seems that drivers can’t resist it when turning right from Bourke St – which is a major problem for pedestrians waiting to cross the road.

Local worker Fran Welsh says she is surprised that no one has yet been killed or seriously injured due to the confusion of drivers.

“The other day I had an old lady coming straight at me,” she said. “You should have seen the look on her face.  Her look was priceless when she realised she shouldn’t be there.”

It wasn’t so funny during another of Fran’s lucky escapes when a truck driver drove behind a temporary barrier and parked in the bike lane before realising his mistake and just kept going down the track and back out onto Harbour Esplanade.

Places Victoria (formerly VicUrban) says it is aware of the problem and a number of remedial measures have been tried.  It says it is the City of Melbourne’s responsibility but that it was working with the council and VicRoads to find a permanent remedy.

VicRoads is believed to be currently reviewing design modifications for approval and implementation.

Ms Welsh says nothing short of a curved steel barrier with a large arrow will protect pedestrians.

Ms Welsh works as a community management assistant with Stewart Silver King and Burns at 102 Harbour Esplanade.  She says the crossing only became dangerous when the new bicycle path was opened about six months ago.

“I’d say it happens to me (a vehicle heading for pedestrians waiting to cross the road) six or more times a week,” she said.

“The authorities obviously know it’s a problem, otherwise they would not have put this temporary bollard here. But it needs a better solution than this temporary measure.”

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