Bicycle deflection rail removal strategy

Brisbane City Council is implementing a strategy to remove bicycle deflection rails from bikeways and shared paths. These rails are commonly referred to as banana bars due to their curved design and bright yellow colour.

Background

Council used banana bars as vehicle restriction devices on bikeways for the past two decades. They were adapted to use as a device to reduce cyclist speed at conflict points. Conflict points include roads, intersecting paths, tight corners and potential collision points with other path users.

Community feedback

The use of banana bars on Brisbane bikeways and shared paths has attracted significant feedback. This is principally from cycling advocacy groups and other path users.

Path users recognise the need to restrict vehicle access to paths and to slow path users at conflict points. However, vehicle restriction devices have been criticised as they:

  • restrict movement to one-way when two-way access would be more desirable and safer in some locations
  • make it difficult to manoeuvre around them
  • do not always stop vehicles accessing bikeways and shared paths.

Action

Council has responded to community feedback by:

  • ceasing to install banana bars
  • commencing removal of existing banana bars and replacing them with a suitable alternative treatment, such as bollards.

Priority locations for the removal of banana bars are popular bikeways and shared paths. This also includes paths linking key trip generators and attractors.

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Topics: bikeway

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