THE majority of respondents to Word on the Street in the April 9 edition of Beaudesert Times (sister publication to Jimboomba Times) about the new one metre rule for driving around cyclists thought that cyclists should not be on the road.
There is currently no alternative to riding on the road in and around Beaudesert so cyclists must trust motorists to slow down and overtake safely.
Motorists who expect cyclists to move off the bitumen may not be aware that tyres on road bikes cannot be ridden safely on gravel.
Being forced off the road is likely to result in injury or death for the cyclist.
Government funding has provided facilities for mountain bikes and motocross around Beaudesert however cyclists have nowhere to ride away from motor vehicles.
Four years ago, Logan City Council conducted a feasibility study into building a rail trail along the old Bethania to Beaudesert railway line.
Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor John Brent agreed to set up a committee with the Bethania to Beaudesert Rail Trail Support Group but later withdrew his offer due to “no funding”.
There will never be any funding as long as authorities accept the status quo. This region needs leaders to lobby strongly for rail trail funding.
Formal application for funding cannot be made until planning is done. Action is needed now.
Local communities need a safe place for recreational and commuter cycling away from the busy Mt Lindesay Highway.
As a designated transport corridor the disused railway line is ideal for rail trail development. A section from Beaudesert to Jimboomba would be a good start.
The vision for the rail trail is a three metre wide sealed shared pathway for cycling and walking, with a horse trail alongside.
A sealed surface is essential to cater for both mountain and road bikes. Rail trails attract a wide range of users of all ages.
Typical users are mums, dads and children, individuals, elderly people with wheelie walkers, and people with all sorts of disabilities. Students who attend the 14 schools along the proposed 40 kilometre rail trail would have a safe place to walk or ride to school.
It is time to get the rail trail under way in the interests of community health and safety.
Janette Tomkins
Beaudesert
