Parkinglands

Every few years an idea that seeks to place cyclists firmly outside user plans for the greenest and most used social space in the heart of Sydney is floated, notes Philip Gomes.

The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust that manages Centennial Park has called for submissions from interested stakeholders on a plan called the Grand Drive Safety Improvement Project with two of the suggestions the placement of speed humps on the drive and further reduced speed limits. One of our key areas of visitor safety concern at Centennial Parklands is the management of traffic flows in Centennial Park, and in particular the convergence of motor vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and other park users on Grand DriveI've always felt that calling the main thoroughfare through and around Centennial Park the 'Grand Drive' was ironic, an unintended tip of the hat to the cars that ate the park and the users everyone spends most of their time trying to appease.

Interestingly, the most enjoyable and popular periods for all users of the park are the car free days, you would think they would get the hint.

Needless to say the speed hump and 20km/h provisions, if implemented, would kill most serious recreational cycling in the park stone-cold dead. And to call a speed hump 'cycling friendly' is another sign that the park is influenced by thinkers that know nothing about cycling.

Do any of the key park employees actually ride a bicycle?

In the 20-plus years I've been riding in and around Sydney there have been no less than three attempts to implement some new way of using the park, which always seems to benefit motorists and other users to the detriment of cyclists.

The last effort was an inherently dangerous counter-flow proposal that would have seen Grand Drive users ride, rollerblade, skate and run opposite the stream of oncoming motoring traffic.

Thankfully that proposal failed in the face of an energetic and intelligent group of cyclists who mounted a credible denunciation of the plan, one that again had at its heart more in parking and speed humps along the drive.

Now there is no question various user groups come into contact with each other in the park. Cyclist vs motorist altercations happen on an all too frequent basis. And then there are those times when an errant but lovable pooch runs off the leash and decides to take out an entire bunch as they roll around.

Been there and done that, as they say, and I still have the mental and physical scars to prove it, as do a few of my friends.

Now I'm the first to agree that there are some bunches that use the park as their own private motorway, riding in a way that disrespects other users and is not suitable to the nature of the space. I'm looking at you, triathletes.

And then there are the rich white dudes (MAMiL's) who drive to the park in order to roll around. Seriously guys, ride from home. You'll be helping lessen the congestion in the most used public space in Sydney and get a bit of street cred doing it.

Centennial Park has implemented several initiatives in order to control the loose cannons. Speed guns, speed limits and diligent rangers who monitor the park for dangerous use all contribute to a safer experience for the majority of users.

I'm happy with the way things are now. However, my two decades' observation and use keeps informing me that the real problem is still the car.

Most drivers use their access to the park as they should but some use the Grand Drive as a rat run to avoid congestion elsewhere in the dense Eastern Suburbs and others a long-term parking lot. This, no doubt, adds to the congestion.

Ultimately the Centennial Parklands will have to confront the idea of banning cars from the premises and only allow parking on the outer areas of the park, though I'm sure the cashed up NIMBYs in the neighborhoods surrounding the park will fight tooth and nail against that idea.

Cyclists are an integral part of park life, one of the few spaces where we feel somewhat safe in a city where our rights as road users are increasingly marginalised. The proposed changes are a bad idea when there are other more credible solutions at hand.

Sydney cyclists, have a look at the draft plan and proposals and let us know what you think.

Twitter: @Philip_Gomes