Reservations about reduced speeds and barriers

Riders have expressed reservations about the possibility of speed reductions and unsafe barriers in impending roadworks on Brisbane’s most famous motorcycling road.

Transport and Main Roads has contacted members of the Motorcycle Advocacy Group (Qld) to advise they are starting design work on $11.3 million worth of roadworks projects in the Mount Glorious region.

They say the works will “improve safety” along sections of Mount Glorious Road and the western end of Samford-Mount Glorious Road (between Dawson Creek Road and Mount Glorious Road).

“This includes installing reflective markers, guide posts, guard rails and road signage, along with line marking improvements and pavement resurfacing. Barriers will also be installed at known and high-risk crash locations, which include motorcycle safety features to protect these road users,” the TMR says.

Rider reservations

Motorcycle Advocacy Group (MAG) spokesman Stuart Langfield says he has reservations about the roadworks, particularly barriers, surface suitability, wet-road grip and reduced speed zones.

Motorbike Writer contacted the TMR for more details but a spokesman said they could not yet provide any specifics.

“Work has just started on design so it is too early to discuss proposed works locations and types of treatments that may be included in this project,” the TMR spokesman says.

“We understand Mount Glorious Road and Samford-Mount Glorious Road are popular routes with motorcyclists and would like to reassure everyone that design features, including specific safety treatments for motorcyclists, will improve safety for all road users.  

“The project team will provide the community with further details about proposed safety works as they become available during the design process, including the opportunity to provide feedback.

“Motorcycling representatives will be most welcome to be part of that feedback and consultation process.”

Motorbike Writer is also included as a stakeholder and will provide updates on the roadworks.

Reduced speeds

Stuart says speed zones along the road have been reduced in recent years and he fears more speed reductions after new roadworks.

“Safety is not addressed by reducing an already suitable speed,” he says.

He rejects claims that reducing speed would reduce the noise impact on residents.

“The noise will remain the same, but the lower speed will result in the noise occurring for a longer time,” he says.

Roadside barriers

Stuart says he has particularly reservations about the mention of safety barriers.

“Will the barriers be bike-safe?” he asks.

“I saw some being erected on Mt Mee today that appear to be anything but.”

This follows a recent Bad Roads Rally in Victoria that organisers say attracted about 100 riders. They not only protested about the poor state of roads, but also the proliferation of wire rope barriers.

Road surfaces

He has also expressed concern about the suitability of the road surface given a botched contractor’s job on the Northbrook Parkway stretch of the road last year that melted on hot days causing at least one motorcycle to crash in the slippery tar.

The issue was addressed, but other areas have since been discovered with the same problem that the TMR is now tackling.

“TMR has a poor record with road surface choices,” Stuart says.

“Perhaps they are allowing contractors to apply surfaces without due consideration of the needs of the users.”

Stakeholders

MAG member Mal Peters has written to the TMR asking for the group to be included as a registered stakeholder in community consultation over proposed roadworks.

“As a group and individually we know and understand these roads and know the dangerous sections,” he says.

“We know where the lack of maintenance, rock falls, gravel on corners, poor site distances, off-camber issues, etc. are causing high-risk situations that may be more safely addressed through redesign rather than simply adding a barrier.

“If the situation/corner is dangerous we would prefer to see the known danger removed rather than pasted over with a barrier that will certainly cause death or injury.”

He points out that MAG includes civil engineers and specialty road engineers.

“We applaud any safety initiative on these roads where such initiative is well designed and reduces the likelihood of death or injury to motorcyclists,” he says.