Dangerous crossing of the cycle lane on Cumberland St near the Leviathan

This relates to this post in Biking in Dunedin - you must visit it to see the video (unless @GerardH posts it here too):

Summary

This Facebook thread focuses on safety concerns at the intersection where the cycle lane on the one-way Cumberland Street is crossed by traffic. A Give Way sign is often overlooked by drivers, creating a hazardous situation. The conversation includes:

  1. Safety Precautions: One user describes being cautious and slowing down near this spot due to the high probability of cars missing the Give Way sign and pulling out unexpectedly.

  2. Rules and Awareness: Another participant appreciates the reminder about being alert, while someone else highlights the legal requirement for cars to yield to pedestrians on footpaths but points out cyclists must yield to vehicles on the roads.

  3. Design and Daily Challenges: Participants share daily experiences of cars and buses blocking paths, exacerbating the risky design of the intersection. The poor planning of the cycle lanes is criticized, noting the frequent oversight of the Give Way sign by drivers.

  4. Design Improvement Suggestions: The discussion includes suggestions for improving road safety, such as adjusting the height of raised tables or changing street widths to slow down traffic. Difficulties in seeing the cycle lane, even for attentive drivers, are also mentioned.

  5. Cyclist Caution and Accident Prevention: There is an urging for cyclists to be extra cautious at this intersection. Commendation is given to both cyclists and drivers in a video for averting collision, with a humorous note on the tension in the near-miss scenario.

Overall, the thread emphasizes the need for better signage visibility and infrastructure adjustments at the Cumberland Street crossing to enhance safety and facilitate better cyclist and motorist cooperation.


Video here for those not on FB.

The other aspect I mentioned that most missed was that I’m reasonably sure the driver had potential sunstrike as the morning sun was almost directly behind me: avoiding the sun so didn’t look.

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