Developing a Preferred Cycle Route

Newcastle City Centre to the University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus

While Newcastle has some great cycling facilities, they are often difficult to find due to inadequate signage. Maps provided by the RTA focus on main roads,
when there is often much safer and more pleasant low-traffic streets running parallel. While some cyclists will search out the best routes, many other
cyclists (especially novices) are likely to be turned off the idea after a stressful ride on a busy road. In order to improve the appeal of cycling in Newcastle,
knowledge of the best routes need to be shared as effectively as possible.

An example of good signage in Newcastle is the ‘NSW Coastline Cycleway’ from the foreshore to Fernleigh track. It is almost completely on-road, but most
of the streets it follows are low-traffic, making the trip less stressful and more pleasurable for novice riders. A network of such routes has been proposed as
detailed in the draft ‘Newcastle Bike Plan’, produced by Newcastle City Council

http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/67809/draft__bike_plan_web.pdf

When a network of cycleways is considered, signs such as the ‘NSW Coastline Cycleway’ uses may not be suitable. A large number of signs will need to be
made up for each left or right turn and making them as simple as possible should minimise cost without sacrificing usability. The ‘National Cycle Network’
created by ‘Sustrans’ in the United Kingdom uses a simple numbering system. This would be cheaper to implement and can also be modified easily as new
routes are developed and old routes improved.

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network/route-numbering-system

Network maps could be placed in strategic locations along the route, and can also be provided in hard and soft copies to cyclists. All R routes as proposed in
the bike plan can have the number by itself, while L routes could be preceded by an L. On more important intersections, the destination and distance can
also be added.
An example of NSW Coastline Cycleway signs An example of signs from the ‘National Cycle Network’ in the UK - important intersection with extra detail
Pilot Project – City centre to Newcastle University
Of the routes proposed, one that is likely to make a significant contribution to bicycle commuting is highlighted on the following page. It links the city centre
to the university via Tighes Hill TAFE. This particular route was selected by the Newcastle University Bike Users Group (NUBUG) http://nubug.org/ as the
safest route for novice riders to commute between the city and the university.

Residential Areas with easy access to the preferred route

• University campus as well as surrounding suburbs, including Birmingham Gardens, Shortland, Jesmond, North Lambton, Waratah West and
Warabrook
• Waratah, Georgetown and Mayfield
• Tighes Hill, Maryville and Islington
• Wickham and Carrington
• Central Newcastle and Stockton
Educational Facilities with easy access to the preferred route
• Newcastle University – Callaghan and City campuses
• Callaghan College – Waratah and Jesmond campuses
• Tighes Hill TAFE
Major employers with easy access to the preferred route, in addition to educational facilities
• Mater Hospital
• City centre businesses
Types of trips expected
• Commute between home and primary place of work or study
• Commute between educational facilities – students and staff may need to attend multiple campuses, or multiple institutions.
• Recreational – residents near the university often travel to the city center to enjoy beaches and other attractions
• Sporting – Residents from a large area make use of facilities at the Forum on campus at the university

Looking at the number and size of institutions and residential areas within the catchment area for this route, there is a potential for a large number of
cyclists using it. With this in mind, it is proposed to develop this route as a pilot project to demonstrate how the rest of the network could be designed.
Development Strategy
The following pages show improvements already proposed by council in the draft bike plan. The proposed route follows sections of 4 different routes from
the plan. NUBUG believes that it would be preferable for the entire route to have the same number, for example it could be called R6 for the entire length.
We believe it should come under the classification of ‘Regional Route’ due to its length and the number of important locations serviced.

As with the definition of ‘Local Route’ in the bike plan, we believe the entire length of the proposed route should be developed to be suitable for older
children, novice riders, family groups and local trips. At the same time, we don’t want the project to be held up while waiting to raise money for expensive
capital works and/or aspects that need extensive collaboration and negotiation with third parties. We propose that signage and maps be developed as the
highest priority in the short term.

One clear advantage of using signs as proposed above is that if the preferred route changes, they can be unbolted and moved easily.

Excerpts from the 2009 draft bike plan

Tighes Hill TAFE to University and Wallsend(R6) <Preferred route follows R6 from the University to Waratah Station>

This is a linking route, connecting the TAFE, regional routes R4 and R5 and the eastern part of the City to the University and Wallsend. It is mostly on road,
using quiter streets wherever possible and connecting into the south eastern end of the University where it generally follows a former tramway through the
campus to connect with regional route R3 at the SH23 Inner City Bypass, continuing along the former tramway to join R5. It provides connections to the
University and is suitable for less experienced riders, although there are a number of more difficult sections. Off road sections are mostly complete, most on
road sections require consideration of marking.

Waratah to Warabrook (L13) <Preferred route follows L13 over railway at Waratah Station>

This route would connect to R6 TAFE Tighes Hill to Birmingham Gardens as well as Waratah Station, Waratah Park and Waratah Campus of Callaghan High
and to L12 University to Warabrook at its western end. It would use mostly local streets with low volumes but is on road over the Waratah railway bridge.
Maitland Road and Maud Street carry high volume traffic, are congested and narrow, and it is proposed to contruct new footpath cycleways around the
Maitland Toad/Maud Street signals. The route is not marked.

Waratah to Warabrook (L22) <Preferred route follows L22from Gardiner st, Mayfield to Tighes Hill TAFE>
This route would connect Mayfield to Hamilton via Tighes Hill TAFE using relatively quiet streets. It connects to several routes at the western end which can
be used to access Warabrook (L13), the University (R6) and Waratah (R6). There is some parking congestion in Fern Street and Beaumont Street has parking
and high turnover. A difficulty is the eastbound right turn from Fern Street into Beaumont Street at the eastern end of the route. The route is not marked.

Tighes Hill TAFE to City (L20) <Preferred route follows L20 from the Tighes Hill TAFE to the City>

This route connects the Tighes Hill TAFE and route L22 Mayfield to Hamilton at the southern end of the TAFE, to the City, Carrington, Honeysuckle, and
Foreshore via mostly existing off road paths running along Throsby Creek.

The footways on the Throsby Creek bridge on Maitland Road are narrow and require improvement, or an alternative route (via Tighes Hill and the Union
Street bridge to connect back to the off road cycleway in Islington Park – either on road or off road options exist). A connection into Tighes Hill is also
available via the William Street bridge (improvements to this crossing are desirable). It is planned to cross busy Hannell Street at the Downie
Street/Woolshed Place traffic signals, but requires approximately 420m of off road path to be provided for the connection.

The existing refuge crossing of Hannell Street at the Throsby Creek bridge is challenging due to speed and volume of traffic on Hannell Street, and an off
road link down the western side of Hannell Street from Throsby Creek to signals at Downie Street/Woolshed Place is proposed to address this problem.
There are also some sections still to be provided as part of the Honeysuckle development.

At the eastern end it partly parallels R2 Newcatle to Maitland and R1 Adamstown Heights to Fern Bay which are both on road routes in this section. Further
investigation is required to determine how to deal with potential conflicts with pedestrians in busier parts of honeysuckle and the Foreshore.
Proposed Works Program(R6)

Description Status/Notes Works/Actions Time Cost $

On road Clyde st to TAFE Mark route to TAFE Symbols, signs – 1.0km Short Low 2,600
Potential route through TAFE Negotiate route through TAFE (option is Negotiate for route through TAFE Medium Low
on road via Chinchen and Hubbard St (marking/signposting approx. 550m, $1,500).
Off road shared path Waratah Park, Some issues around Bowling Club area Symbols, signs 500m. Review layout near Short Low 1,200
on park access road from Bowling Bowling Club
Club to Waratah Station, cross Platt
St at signals
Off road on shared path to Platt St Future construction of short off road Shared path from Waratah Station to refuge Short Low 12,000
shared footpath in Platt St 15m, formalise rail driveway – 6m.
Mark an signpost route.
On road Platt St, Prince St to Maud Roundabout safety issue at Platt/Turton Symbols, signs 1,220m. Short Low 3,100
St, cross at refuge to Vera St
Improved crossing of Maud St desirable Investigate option of pedestrian signal Medium High TBA
crossing at Maud St with RTA
Future off road route via rail Negotiation with rail authorities required; Land acquisition; construction within rail Long High
corridor and under Maud St bridge land acquisition required to access rail corridor. Consider pedestrian signal
corridor. Likely complex negotiations, alternative (above).
high cost.
On road Vera St to Queen St Symbols, signs 300m Short Low 800
Off road on NCC and University land Existing shared path
along former railway to Wirra Cr
On internal University roads to Improved signposting of route to clarify Mark and signpost route in consultation with Short Low TBA
Eastgate entry road, cross at refuge. path through internal roads University approx 1.5km (approx $5,000)
Off road through University to SH23
and R3/L8 (cross Westgate entry
road at refuge)
Cross SH23 via grade separated Existing ramps Review Short Low
shared path
Proposed Works Program(L13)

Description Status/Notes Works/Actions Time Cost $

On road from R6/Waratah Station Hanbury St, Platt St high volumes, Symbols, signs 2.1km Medium Low 6,000
on Platt St via overbridge, across congestion, difficult for cyclists. Cross
road closure to Railway Tce, Cadell Hanbury St at zebra eastbound
Ave, Leonard St, Frith St, Adrian St,
Stedman St to Maitland Rd
Investigate improvements to overbridge Medium High RTA
(consult with RTA – cost not included).

Proposed Works Program(L22)

Description Status/Notes Works/Actions Time Cost $

On road from L14/Braye St on
Watson, Rawson, Scholey Sts
including rail bridge, then Chinchen
St to Clyde St/TAFE
On road Chinchen, Dent, Fern,
Beaumont Sts to R5/Donald St at
Hamilton
Narrow rail bridge and approaches – Symbols, signs 1.4km Short Low 3,500
riders must ‘command the lane’.
Courtesy signage short term, bridge
alterations will be very high cost
Some issues crossing Hubbard St, Also Symbols, signs 1.4km Short Low 3,500
Beaumont St (eastbound)
Proposed Works Program(L20)
Description
Start at TAFE at Maitland Rd, along
shared path on southern footway,
across Maitland rd at Hubbard St
signals (potential for connection
through TAFE, if approved)
Off road on existing path through
Islington Park and Throsby Ck
foreshore to Hannell St
Cross Hannell St at existing refuge
on south side of Throsby Ck
Off road along Throsby Ck foreshore
to Honeysuckle
Status/Notes Works/Actions Time Cost $
TAFE approval required if route to link Seek TAFE approval for route through Short Low
thwough to Clyde St. campus. Mark and signpost route if
approved – approx $2000.
Narrow path over bridge in Maitland Rd Proposed alternative route via Tighes Tce, Short Low 2,000
requires improvement or new route Park Rd, Atkinson St, Union St bridge back to
Islington Park route – 650m.
Investigate bridge widening in Maitland Rd Long High TBA
Possible link to Tighes Hill via bridte from Investigate additional links – see also link to
Union St, links into Maryville at existing Union St bridge above
streets.
Difficult crossing at Lewis st/William St Investigate improvements Medium Low 20,000
Extremely difficult crossing of Hannell St Construct 420m off road shared path west Medium High 250,000
at refuge. Consider off road shared path side Hannell St, modify signals for cyclists
along western footway of Hannell St to
traffic signals at Downie St/Woolshed Pl
Missing links in Honeysuckle, Resolve design and conflict issues, identify Short/
pedestrian/cyclist conflicts in higher use scope of works. Medium
areas