Cycling’s most dangerous roads
(from 
)
LAUREN NOVAK, TRANSPORT REPORTER
February 26, 2008
GREENHILL Rd is Adelaide’s most dangerous road for cyclists.
Latest Transport Department statistics provided to The Advertiser show the highest incidence of crashes involving cyclists occurred on the major road.
Between 2003 and 2007 there were 54 crashes on the thoroughfare stretching from Keswick, near the city, to Greenhill, in the Adelaide Hills.
Busy South Rd was second with 51 crashes. Third was Marion Rd with 44 crashes. Henley Beach Rd was the only road on the list to record a cyclist fatality.
In 2006, the worst three roads for cyclists were Marion Rd, followed by South Rd and Greenhill Rd, based on figures from 2000 to 2005.
Department director road safety Martin Small said there were no cycling safety funds specifically for the top three roads this financial year. He said the statistics would be considered in the next budget. Cycling safety funding was generally allocated in the context of the Safety in Numbers strategy developed by the Government in 2006.
Bicycle Institute of South Australia chairman Sam Powrie said SA had the lowest per capita spending on cycling safety in Australia and urged the Government to commit up to $8 million a year. He said establishing off-road cycling “boulevards” or “highways” was a solution to providing safer environments for cyclists.
RAA traffic and safety manager Rita Excell urged the Government to continue to improve cycling infrastructure on less congested routes parallel to main roads.
Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo identified “dangerous behaviours” by cyclists, including riding more than two abreast, and weaving in and out of traffic.
In turn, motorists cut cyclists off when turning left.
