Walking and Cycling- Minimising Pedestrian/ Cyclist Conflict on Pathways

Under the Living in Brisbane Vision 2010, Brisbane City Council (BCC) hopes to achieve a clean and green, and active and healthy city. To achieve this, BCC encourages Brisbane residents to reduce unnecessary car trips and to adopt green transport modes where possible. The social, environmental and economic benefits of walking and cycling in Brisbane are considerable, and have become more prominent following the recent increase in petrol prices.

To safely manage predicted increases in walking and cycling trips in Brisbane, BCC also wishes to generate an increased awareness of the general responsibilities of pathway users.

Along shared pathways in Brisbane, pedestrians should keep to the left and not block the path. Cyclists must give way to other pathway users and slow down before passing on the right. In Queensland, cyclists are legally required to have bells fitted to their bicycles and should sound their bell to warn pedestrians they are about to pass on the right. As well as keeping left, pedestrians should revert to single file as close to the left as practical when they hear a bell. In order to increase awareness of the above, BCC has commenced installation of 'shared pathway rules' signage along pathways in Brisbane

Cycling is permitted along footpaths in Queensland, unless otherwise prohibited by signs. The same responsibilities for pedestrians and cyclists using shared pathways also apply along footpaths. It is an offence to cycle along a footpath in a manner which may endanger other users, particularly pedestrians.

Pedestrians and cyclists are expected to uphold their responsibilities to ensure the safety of all pathway users, and reduce any potential conflict.

For more information on walking and cycling, or to gain updated maps of all the bikeways in Brisbane, please call BCC on 3403 8888 or visit www.ourbrisbane.com.