This City Of Sydney safety audit includes all publicly accessible spaces in Glebe and Forest Lodge. The Glebe Society asked its members to provide their views on priority safety issues and locations, to inform our response. Members’ views can be seen in the comment boxes below.
Allan Hogan and Diane Hutchinson represented The Glebe Society at the first safety audit stakeholders’ meeting on 7 August. We presented the following list of priority issues and locations and, in the wide ranging discussion among stakeholders, we also raised some of the other issues and locations which members logged.
We will use this page to update you on the progress of the audit. If you have any questions, please email Diane Hutchinson on vicepresident@glebesociety.org.au
The Glebe Society: Priority Issues and Locations for CoS Safety Audit
Issues
1) Shared paths: 18 members expressed concerns about dangers associated with paths shared by cyclists and pedestrians. A common complaint was that many cyclists travel well in excess of the 10kph limit, especially during peak traffic hours. Cyclists infrequently ring their bell when approaching pedestrians from behind, posing a serious danger for all users, but especially for seniors, and/or those exercising their pets. In darkness, poor lighting of the shared paths makes cyclists hard to see. Many public lights are above tree canopies shedding vast shadows leaving pedestrians less safe. The use of motorised bikes and scooters is increasing, and so too is the speed at which they travel.
2) Footpaths: 16 members logged concerns about safety issues with footpaths. Some members gave multiple sources of footpath safety risk and/or locations. These included:
- cyclists illegally using footpaths and obstructions (eg. café chairs and off-leash dogs), which make footpaths difficult to negotiate safely
- uneven pavements due to tree roots and wooden strips around grass verges (some compounded by poor lighting), which pose a serious trip hazard
- celtis seeds (Minogue Cres and Wigram Rd) pose a serious slip hazard
- footpath construction means pathways are inaccessible to those with limited mobility, in particular Ross Street and Cook Street
- a lack of appropriate rails, bannisters or handles on slopes, stairs and steps, mean access is impossible for some.
3) Pedestrian Crossings: 8 members expressed concerns about dangerous pedestrian crossings, including:
- the two crossings at the intersection of Wigram Road and Glebe Point Road lead to confusion for drivers of vehicles making turns into and out of Wigram Road, especially when they are looking into the sun. Busloads of tourists around The Haven have worsened the congestion and confusion.
- the pedestrian crossing over Bridge Road near Woolley Street is dangerous, and there has been at least one near miss involving a child at the day care centre at the Abbey. It is close to the bottom of a dip, and cars tend to speed in both directions.
Some members’ concerns about traffic were also ultimately about the safety implications for pedestrians in crossing roadways (eg. traffic exiting blind onto the St John’s Road footpath from Jarocin Ave).
Locations:
1) The Foreshore Walk and Parks: These are the locations where cyclists using the shared paths present the greatest danger. The Foreshore Walkway, the Allan Truss Bridge and the central pathway in Jubilee Park are particularly dangerous.
2) Glebe Public School:
- The pedestrian crossing on Glebe Point Road outside Glebe Pubic School is hazardous for pedestrians on Saturdays when they cross in a disorderly fashion when leaving the Glebe Markets.
- Commercial tour buses parking adjacent to Glebe Public School on Derwent Street impede parents from picking up children in their cars after school. Drivers stop in the street because they are prevented from parking by the kerb and create a hazard for other traffic.
3) Ross Street: This street is a busy pedestrian thoroughfare but presents many hazards, most especially:
- 11-13 Ross Street. The variable but steep slopes to the gutter make this section of footpath impassable for many.
- Ross St from Bridge Road to Charles St, west side. Two sets of signs each with dual poles intrude well into the pathway in front of the school. Many pedestrians can walk between the poles, but those with prams or on mobility scooters or bicycles are obstructed.
40 comments. Please add yours.
I’m a 53year old man… On the 31st March 2022 around 6pm I was riding a normal not motor scooter from my place that’s on Glebe Point Road heading to the little shop on top of Ross Street to purchase some bread and milk. From my place (Glebe Point Road) I headed down taking a right turn at (Bridge Road), just went passed the children’s day care centre that’s across the road on my right and the toilets of Dr. Foley’s Park on my left Bridge Road.. It’s be raining all day. Whether it’s raining or not, my experiences I believe it’s safer especially riding a non powered scooter, to be riding on the road in the bike lane that’s there because footpaths are not an even, safe, straight path to be riding a scooter on.
Luckily on this day the driver in the vehicle heading the same direction was pretty much right beside and had seen me and slowed down and even waved me to go before him over the Pedestrian crossing on Bridge Road just pass Woolley Street. The fact that this driver had slowed down, waved me in to go over the pedestrian crossing first probably saved my life. I cannot thank this patient driver enough. (( My issue is why does the bike lane end, forcing everyone that uses this bike that on the road into traffic that’s travelling in the same direction as you? You’re safe in the bike lane, then for no reason the bike lane ends, now your whole life is now unexpectedly in harms way…))
As I slowly went over the pedestrian crossing the back wheel slid from underneath. I strongly believe it was the white paint sending my whole body into mid air and land on my left side smashing my hip.. I could not move. The patient driver and another driver came to my rescue I asked them if they could lift me to see if I could walk or even stand up but my whole left side of my leg just dangled…. I’M ASKING IF ANYONE KNOW OR HAS HEARD OF ANYONE BEING HURT WHETHER THEY HAD A MINOR INCIDENT OR HAS SLIPPED ON THE WHITE PAINT ON THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON BRIDGE STREET NEAR WOOLLEY STREET GLEBE… Thanking you
1. Corner of Toxteth Road and Glebe Point Road. There is restricted view of traffic in Glebe Point Road, when driving out of Toxteth Road, because of the plants in the council garden bed at the corner. The plant in the garden beds at Boyce Street and Glebe Point Road are kept very low by the council.
2. Walking on the footpaths of Glebe, and the foreshore walk, can be quite dangerous for pedestrians with speeding cyclists, scooters, skateboards, etc.
3. The concrete footpaths in Toxteth Road, especially on the northern side, provide a good trip hazard with many of the concrete sections not aligned with adjacent sections.. On the southern side of Toxteth Road, several garden beds with metal or wooden borders encroach on an already narrow footpath – difficult to see at night.
Shared Path/ Foreshore walk. Problem about behaviour of some cyclists using the shared foreshore walk. There are frequent displays of excessive speed, and non-use of bell. Often on foreshore walk it seems as if cyclists are attempting to achieve a Personal Best, and walkers have to do their best to get out of the way. I am always fearful when we walk our dog that he will be hit by a bike. Most of these riders are adults. Lighting on sections of the foreshore walk is inadequate both to see the immediate area and to balance the extremely bright lights of some bicycles.
Footpath. Cyclists (mostly not middle aged) use footpaths on Glebe Pt Rd; again pedestrians have to take avoidance action. I fear this will get worse with the change in state law to permit up-to-16 year-olds to ride on the footpath, with lobbying that this be increased to 18.
The intersection of Maxwell St and Victoria Rd outside the Tramsheds is hazardous and poorly lit. There is no crossing for pedestrians, and no access for trolleys between the path and the road. There is car parking on both sides of Maxwell St in the Tramsheds area and pedestrians attempting to cross are obscured by these cars.Visibility is restricted for cars turning between these streets in either direction. Lighting on Victoria Rd is insufficient given the number of people using the footpaths, especially on the south side. Footpath is compromised by tree roots. This situation is made worse because the bumps cannot be seen at night.
Other. Dumping. The corner of St. James Lane and Rosebank Street has become a dumping ground. There is constantly old furniture, refrigerators, building supplies etc dumped there. It has become worse in the past 6 months. This is a danger as it is a park and behind a school and a daycare. Since #2 Rosebank was changed from 1 person per room to 3 people per room it seems to have gotten worse as people are moved out & things are dumped on the corner. Having the studio block increase from 30 people in 30 rooms to 90 people in 30 rooms without any warning to the neighborhood has been a trial. The constant noise, trash & traffic has changed a quiet lane. Parking is also difficult because of the number of illegally parked vehicles and the fact the street is rarely policed by parking enforcement. Scooters parked on the footpath are a danger to people attending the park, school, daycare and church. Complaints to the council have been made to no avail.
SHARED PATHS: All four off-leash dog parks in Glebe and Forest Lodge have shared paths. As a walker with a small dog, I’m concerned about the high safety risk on these paths. The cyclists who don’t consider other users are partly responsible, but the shared paths themselves are not fit for their purpose. These paths – often only the width of a main street footpath – are expected to carry a relatively high number of users, ranging from those out for a leisurely stroll to those seeking quick passage. A radical re-think (and perhaps substantial investment) is needed to provide safe passage for all.
Especially dangerous spots could and should be remedied immediately, including:
a. The Foreshore Walkway, from Cook Street to Bellevue. This section is designed as a relatively narrow pathway with an obstructed view of the path ahead and behind. In places there is little or no accessible verge for walkers to scramble onto if they hear a cyclist approaching. It should be re-designed to improve safety.
b. The shared path separating Federal Park and Bicentennial Park West, around the dog water bowl and bubbler. This area has some speeding cyclists travelling to/from Chapman Road and The Crescent. It also has increasingly heavy pedestrian usage. The location of the dog water bowl on the edge of the shared path adds to the congestion and safety risk – on-leash dogs and their owners congregate at the water bowl, and off-leash dogs playing in Federal Park run across the shared path to get water. Moving the water bowl (and associated plumbing) to a more sensible spot is surely not a major project.
FOOTPATHS: Forest Lodge has many footpath hazards especially along Ross Street/Minogue Crescent, including:
a. 11-13 Ross Street. The variable but steep slopes to the gutter make this section of footpath impassable for many – last week I watched a pedestrian detour to the busy roadway rather than try the footpath.
b. Ross St from Bridge Road to Charles St, west side. This section of footpath is part of a de facto shared path used by cyclists between Bridge Road and Wigram Road. Two sets of signs each with dual poles intrude well into the pathway in front of the school. Many pedestrians can walk between the poles, but those with prams or on mobility scooters or bicycles are obstructed. Any sudden detours these users make to avoid the obstruction also endanger the safety of on-coming path users.
c. Corner of Minogue Cres and Wigram Road (in front of Centennial Apartments). The celtis seeds pose a seasonal safety risk. I’m one of a number of locals who have fallen; the ambulance driver who stopped to help me almost fell too, despite my warning and despite his safety boots. Footpath ‘cleaning’ by a blower just pushes half the seeds are back to the building line.
The Glebe Society wrote to Councillors Jess Scully and Linda Scott, and MP Jamie Parker in November last year drawing their attention to increasing concerns from members and residents about the dangers posed by cyclists using the shared pathways along the Foreshore Walks and in Jubilee Park. There have been more than a few reports of pedestrians (or their dogs) injured in collisions with cyclists, but little or no action has been taken to address the problem.
In theory, cyclists should observe a 10kph speed limit on these pathways. In practice, especially in the peak morning hours, many cyclists travel in excess of 40kph, approaching silently behind pedestrians without giving any warning. Despite the readiness of Council rangers to book owners of unleashed dogs, there are no prosecutions for travelling at excessive speed. If the Council believes it is powerless to enforce its own regulations, it should urgently find a way to overcome this legal obstacle.
The Society has suggested a number of practical measures to address the problem, which seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Faded painted signs on the pathway are inadequate. There should be standing signs stating that bike riders are entering an area with an enforceable speed limit, and where pedestrians have right of way. The worst place for speeding on the waterfront walk is the curved path below the entry from the end of Glebe Point Road. A bike chicane would slow riders, while being wide enough for big prams and wheelchairs to enter.
Hopefully, it will not require a serious accident or a fatality to prompt the Council to take some simple measures to address this problem.
Shared Footpath: The shared footpath along the foreshore of Rozelle and Blackwattle Bays has major safety problems It is too narrow for the use by pedestrians, joggers, dogwalkers, cyclists and skateboarders. The major problem is cyclists who in the main take no notice of speed restrictions, do not ring their bells and often abuse pedestrians. They have little regard for pedestrians and the many dogs which are walked along the foreshore. There are two blind corners between Bellevue and 501 GPR and the cyclists whizz around these not knowing who they will run into. The joggers are also a problem as they will not slow down for pedestrians and dogs. Skateboarders show the same disregard for users of the foreshore walk .My dog has been run over by a skateboarder, a man in his forties who couldn’t even be bothered to stop.
Footpaths Generally: Cyclists using the footpaths in Glebe instead of the road system are also a problem.
The road system is not made for cyclists who take to the footpaths because they do not feel safe!!
Traffic: Leichhardt Street is a looped one way road which cars choose to speed around It is quite dangerous as you will often see parents pushing prams along the road as the footpaths are so narrow. The motorists do not see the pedestrians on the road as there are two blind corners. This situation is exacerbated by cars/trucks travelling the wrong way along the road. Some years ago I tried unsuccessfully to have speed humps put in. The Council should revisit this dangerous situation.
Most of the comments have been about physical safety but to me the important issue to raise is whether everyone feels emotionally and culturally safe to be in Sydney. The City has done many impressive things to recognise and acknowledge people who have been driven to the margins of life – like First Nations people – particularly in the city. But less so in the villages.
I would very much like to see greater recognition of Aboriginal people by bringing a focus beyond 230 years to 6000 or 60000 years of heritage and thriving human civilisation where we are, live and work. I live in Arcadia road, which is a nice descriptor of a very pleasant precinct for the last 120 years, but I’d happily trade up to a name that celebrates millennia of culture and environment. We have a wealth of Indigenous experts here who could tell us so much. Dual naming would be fine for a few generations so people could get used to the idea but I’d be happy to change all ‘recent’ english names to Gadigal ones tomorrow!
Many have called for more lighting that I agree with. In addition we could do with a move toward lower height lighting. Many public lights are way above tree canopies shedding vast shadows leaving pedestrians less safe. Lowering street and public space lighting makes environments safer for people (and local wildlife incidentally). Yes I know about vehicle drivers – they have headlights!
Along the foreshores we want enforceable upright speed signs.
In the parklands and major streets like Glebe Point Road (what a dull name!) we want large legible signs explaining that many areas are “on leash” areas. We enjoy our dog and she enjoys exercising. And people should be able to navigate open spaces that are NOT off leash in the expectation that dogs will be on leads.
Expansion of the advance signals for pedestrians at intersections would be welcomed.
Installation of ground signage indicating which direction(s) pedestrians should look would be welcome. We have many international guests staying in Glebe and the use of English signs “Look left” etc is not only less safe it is less cosmopolitan.
Further to my previous comment about lighting outages on the Glebe Foreshore walk around Rozelle Bay —- this morning (1/8) all the lights from the entry to the path from the Pope Paul VI Reserve (at the end of Glebe Point Road) and the boardwalk around the mangroves were out. That is 13 consecutive lights, so the path was in almost complete darkness. One of these lights (about the fourth along) had been out for a month or more, as had two past the boardwalk, one close to the bin just past the little pier and one at the bottom of the stairs leading down from the former Blackwattle Cafe on the Rozelle Bay side. In all, there were more lights out than on in the stretch from the beginning of the path to where it turns round to Blackwattle Bay. I rang the Council about this when I got home and was told they were not responsible for the lights and was given contact numbers for Ausgrid and Maritime Services, who were not available at that time of the morning. I rang Ausgtid later and was told that they were only responsible for street lighting and that I should ring the Council again. I did so and have reported the matter to them. As some people continued to run and ride their bikes through the darkness at more or less the usual speeds there could easily have been accidents.
Footpath:
The shopping trolleys from our closest shopping area, the Tramsheds were supposed to lock at all entry and exit points in the car park. Instead there are trolleys up and down the nearby streets, looking messy and dangerous. With the abolition of free plastic bags, the abandoned trolleys have increased.
CYCLISTS. Too many cyclists use footpaths that are not shared. In most cases I think they aren’t even aware that they are breaking the law. There are no means of identifying them and reproaching often leads to abuse.
FOOTPATHS. A large Celtis at the corner of Wigram Rd and Minogue Crescent drops hundreds of round, hard seeds on to the steep footpath. Stepping on these is like stepping on to ball bearings and there have been several accidents over the years resulting in severe injuries to pedestrians. Those in the know avoid the footpath, and Council do come and sweep. This is not a suitable solution though and there should be negotiations with the property owner to remove the tree and replace it with one more suitable.
DOGS. Some control needs to be placed on areas where, by law, dogs are to be on a leash. I watched as an elderly woman with a walking stick tried to safely get past an unleashed dog in Glebe Point Road last week. The dog was left outside a shop and was wandering around the footpath amongst pedestrians. This is a common occurrence along the shopping strip in Glebe Point Road.
The pedestrian crossings close to the Glebe library from Wigram road and Glebe point roads. These crossings should both be reviewed due to safety. Cars waiting on Wigram road to turn right or left block the view from on coming cars driving along GPR of pedestrians trying to cross.
Love the Glebe Markets but the pedestrian crossing there has a major impact on bus times on Saturdays as the stream of pedestrians never stops and delays buses for lengthy periods both ways on Glebe Point Rd. The 370 already has enough obstacles on its journey.. I’d like to see lights or even a crossing attendant while the markets are on.
The crossings on the corner of Wigram Rd and Glebe Point Rd are very dangerous. Near misses every day with drivers not noticing the crossings.
There is a massive sinkhole in Paddy Gray Reserve. Highly dangerous and has been there for many months. Shocking.
1. I would like to see the 10km/hr speed limit for bikes along the foreshore enforced. Too many bikes exceed the speed limit, putting pedestrians on what is often a crowded path at risk. Asking a bicyclist to slow down can result in abuse. If pedestrians must share a footpath with bicyclists (and I wish we didn’t have to), the bicycling community needs to understand the rules regarding speed limits and giving way to pedestrians and to abide by them.
2. The crossing at Glebe Point Road and Wigram Roads can be difficult to negotiate for both pedestrians and drivers. It is an awkward corner, a driver turning left from Wigram into Glebe Point Road can be surprised by a pedestrian stepping onto the crossing. At other times people, particularly tourists staying at the motel on the corner, linger next to the pedestrian crossing with no intention of crossing and a driver needs to engage in some sign language to ensure they are not about to cross. I would like to see lights there.
The most unsafe I feel in Glebe is walking along Blackwattle Bay which is a shared foreshore pathway i.e. for walking, running and cycling. These concerns were given foundation two weeks ago as I was hit in the shoulder by an aggressive cyclist who came up behind me (at the end of GPT and the cycles need to divert to the street footpath) as I walking a dog on leash and moving towards a rubbish bin to dispose of some waste.
They hit me (which felt targeted) and then proceeded to abuse me. The left hand side of the path was free of a cyclists and walkers and there was plenty of room for the cyclist to avoid this collision.
I could not see or hear the person coming from behind who then proceeded to yell and gesture me. I felt quite threatened- part from the physical I experienced, a quite different experience from my intention of having an relaxing walk.
This is not an isolated incident as a significant number of cyclists are high speed commuters- not leisurely cyclists. The path is narrow, this type of cyclist is aggressive and the high speed presents a risk to walkers, children and dogs. Few have bells to warn you of their approach- which the leisure cyclist respectfully use.
I do not know of any other part of Glebe where you are subjected to such regular abuse and exposure to physical risk as this beautiful pathway.
Glebe Foreshore Shared Pathway.
The most unsafe I feel in Glebe is walking along Blackwattle Bay which is a shared foreshore pathway i.e. for walking, running and cycling. These concerns were given foundation two weeks ago as I was hit in the shoulder by an aggressive cyclist who came up behind me (at the end of GPT and the cycles need to divert to the street footpath) as I walking a dog on leash and moving towards a rubbish bin to dispose of some waste.
They hit me (which felt targeted) and then proceeded to abuse me. The left hand side of the path was free of a cyclists and walkers and there was plenty of room for the cyclist to avoid this collision.
I could not see or hear the person coming from behind who then proceeded to yell and gesture me. I felt quite threatened- part from the physical I experienced, a quite different experience from my intention of having an relaxing walk.
This is not an isolated incident as a significant number of cyclists are high speed commuters- not leisurely cyclists. The path is narrow, this type of cyclist is aggressive and the high speed presents a risk to walkers, children and dogs. Few have bells to warn you of their approach- which the leisure cyclist respectfully use.
I do not know of any other part of Glebe where you are subjected to such regular abuse and exposure to physical risk as this beautiful pathway.
The foreshore shared path is a safety concern. The path is too narrow to be safely shared by pedestrians and cyclists. Some of the cyclists are riding at speeds that jeopardize the safety of pedestrians, cyclists often don’t warn pedestrians of their approach by using their bells and are passing too close to pedestrians. Sadly an accident resulting in serious injury or worse is likely. The City of Sydney which established the shared path is refusing to implement safety measures despite these concerns. Separated cycle ways running north to south and east to west through Glebe and Forest Lodge need to be built to provide cyclists with a safe passage ( for cyclists and pedestrians ) through our suburb.
Commercial tour buses parking adjacent to Glebe Public School on Derwent Street impeding parents from picking up children in their cars after school. People stopping in the street because they are prevented from parking by the kerb creates a hazard for other traffic and adds danger to pedestrians, including children going home when trying to cross the street at that point.
The so-called ‘deep rooted poplar trees’ planted on Glebe Point Road when it was refurbished some years ago seem not to know they are deep rooted. Paving blocks are being lifted all up and down GPR creating major trip hazards. Why they were chosen despite objections to CoS to this species at the time is simply incomprehensible.
The shared bicycle/pedestrian foreshore walkway is hazardous due to speeding bicycles combined with the narrow footpath in places. Either Council needs to be able to regularly enforce appropriate behaviour by bicycle riders (sounding of bells to alert walkers and slowing their speed) or require separate bicycle paths in order to prevent the potential of serious injuries occurring.
There are still some old fashion driveways with the sandstone edges which make the footpath unpassable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There is one in Cook Street and no footpath on the other side of the road making the only way down that street, which is narrow, for a wheelchair to be on the road.
Another safety factor is the failure of the green walk light to come on unless pressed and to stay on for the same time as the green circle light. This results in pedestrians, unless they cross without the benefit of the green walk sign, having to wait another whole cycle of the light phase. Many people cross regardless and this is dangerous. I also wonder why pedestrians are the least considered group using public footpaths and roads.
There is definitely a need for more lighting along parts of the Foreshore Walk. There is a particularly bad area at the half-circle garden in the corner just after Pavilions on the Bay. The fig tree right at the rubbish bin obscures the light on the Pavilions side of the path and it is extremely dangerous when you have a black dog in that area and bike rider comes through at night with the earphones in! You are totally unable to see any dog (or person) and also you are unable to communicate with the person on the bike.
I would like to recommend putting some lighting in that half circle garden as it is completely devoid of light and as the lights were planned many years ago and the gardens and trees have now grown a rethink is needed regarding adequate lighting for safety.
There is a large gap in the fencing along the storm water canal near Tramsheds. Just next to the Glebe side of the old footbridge, the footpath falls away steeply and there is a large hole in the fence leading straight into the storm water canal.
Lighting on the Glebe foreshore walk is not being maintained as well as previously. I walk my two little dogs there about 5.30 am most mornings and find that lights that are not working take a very long time to be fixed, leaving some very dark areas along the path, particularly where there are trees,. Last year there were three lights not working between the entrance to the walk at Pope Paul VI park and the bend towards Blackwattle Bay that were not fixed for more than three months although I rang several times to report them. As I could see no obvious link between my ringing the Council and the time they were finally fixed I feel less motivated to ring and complain about another three lights that are currently not working on the same stretch of path. Most of these lights still have some dim light in their globes but shed none at ground level so if checked from some central switchboard may seem to be working when they are effectively not. They are also hard to report on the phone because most lack distinctive numbers and the online reporting system requires a Street name which they don’t have.
Bike riders not ringing their bells adds to the hazard of these dark areas. One rider on a motorised bike goes along the path just after 5.30 Monday to Friday at speed and without ringing her bell. When I asked her to slow down she said she couldn’t because she was going to work and was very aggressive about it. I think it is a mistake to list the foreshore path as a bike path as people commuting to work like this woman tend to see it more like a road (but safer, for them) than a shared path for the community.
Shared footpath: Forshore walk from Rozelle Bay to Bridge Road.
Sections of the footpath are too narrow for pedestrians, dogs and cyclists.
1. Need larger signage at both ends of the footpath around the large fig trees in Pope Paul Reserve to inform cyclists to use the upper and not the lower path.
2. Also the section of the path from the boardwalk near the winch to Cook Street that is narrow with blind spots could have a few calming humps to slow the cyclists down might help, with appropriate signage at both ends.
Lighting: there is a bit of a lighting black spot in Derwent Lane, Glebe, on the short leg between Glebe Point Road and Elsie Walk.
Uneven pavements due to tree roots
Poor street lighting eg Toxteth Rd, Arcadia Rd and Boyce St causing some residents to walk on the road.
Poor lighting in lanes.
Shared footpath: Bikes speeding along the shared Bay walk and along Bridge Rd footpath near Hanson’s cement. They should at least ring a bell but mostly don’t.
Anti-social behaviour:
1. dogs off leash in leash areas in all parks and footpaths, but particularly the leash area of Jubelee Park. It is not policed and unsafe for children, elderly and people sitting on rugs enjoying the parks.
2. owners and renters dumping rubbish in lanes (exclude recycleable items). They seem unaware that Council will pick it up for free if you tell them. Needs more advertising.
Traffic:
1. speeding along the northern end of Glebe Point Rd.
2. School (RTA hired) buses speeding up and down Toxteth Rd every school day. It would be healthier for the St Schols girls to walk down to and up from the 431 bus route.
Traffic
Jarocin Avenue is a narrow one way street running between St John’s road and Bridge Road. The speed limit is 50 but cars use this as a short cut and speed through. Pedestrians walking along St John’s Road crossing Jarocin avenue are very vulnerable as the entrance is narrow they are not visible until they have stepped out into the path of oncoming vehicles.
Bicycles often ride the wrong way and are vulnerable to cars pulling out of driveways.
A slower speed limit and/or traffic calming with speed humps would be advantageous with more visible signage.
On the Glebe foreshore, Bicycle riders need to be separated from pedestrians (and considerate, on-lease dog-walkers!) . They are downright dangerous, far too numerous, and never stop when they clip or hit someone. I have witnessed numerous accidents, one while the survey takers were asking about bike safety!
FOOTPATH. I need a walking stick to enable me to get around. On horizontal flat paths there is no problem, but I cannot navigate slopes, stairs or steps unless there is an appropriate rail, bannister or handle available. A number of places in Glebe Point Road are inaccessible to me. For example the Cruelty Free Shop and L. J. Hooker offices share the opening to the premises at 81-83 Glebe Pt. Rd.This opening is set several tall steps above the footpath, but there is no rail or stout grip to enable those with poor balance to manage the steps.
Traffic: The pedestrian crossing over Bridge Road near Woolley Street is dangerous, and there has been at least one near miss involving a child at the day care centre at the Abbey. Drivers can be blinded by sunlight in the mornings and the evenings, and the crossing is not well lit at night. It is close to the bottom of a dip, and cars tend to speed in both directions.
Traffic: There is no pedestrian crossing at the end of the waterfront walkway where it emerges onto Bridge Road near Blackwattle Secondary Campus, although there is a break in the kerb on both sides of Bridge Road encouraging pedestrians and bicycles to cross there. The nearest pedestrian crossing is at the lights on Taylor Street, and this is too far away (and involves backtracking) for most people. At the very least, there should be signage and/or traffic calming.
Shared footpath/antisocial behaviour: There are major problems with bicyclists on the shared waterfront walkway. Very few of them observe the 10km/h speed limit or use their bells, and it is not enforced or even checked by the Council. There are numerous collisions between bicyclists and pedestrians and dogs. If the Council can’t or won’t enforce the bicycle speed limit, the waterfront walkway should be made pedestrian-only, which would be facilitated by dedicated bike lanes running North-South along the Crescent and East-West along Bridge Road.
Footpaths: Particularly at the Northern end, there are numerous trip hazards on the footpaths in Glebe Point Road. Tree roots are again a problem, as are the timber frames set into the ground around street trees. When they pop up (as they frequently do) they are very dangerous.
And since it is the City Council, I cannot understand why the very expensive paving in Martin Place, Hunter Street, Elizabeth St and elsewhere has been ruined by sloppy patching with bitumin. Why is this? Council not care?
Council garden bed shrubs at corner GP road and Toxteth road obscure view of oncoming traffic for cars coming out of Toxteth road. Quite dangerous
Shared Footpaths
A mature aged walker is dangerously vulnerable sharing footpaths with bicycles (where’s the bell?), electric bicycles, skateboards & electric skateboards and scooters in the parks in the neighbourhood of Jubilee Oval.
Footpaths & traffic
My major concern is the work that the Council has been undertaking to narrow intersections. There is no safety enhancement for pedestrians but the intersections have been made more dangerous by the work undertaken. Some egs are Edward Lane & Eglington Rd, Marlborough Rd & Glebe Point Rd, Bridge Rd, Glebe Point Rd & Wigram Rd & Ross St.
Contractors frequently leave footpaths & roads that they have dug up in a poor state. Ross St is a particular example, although there are many others. The contractors are anonymous & the Council does not seem to audit or enforce remedial work. Uneven surfaces & holes often persist for a significant time.
Although not so hazardous it is getting increasingly difficult to walk down Glebe Point Rd & Ross St because of tables & chairs of café owners.
I am concerned about the hazardous state of the footpaths on our street (Campbell Street) and the surrounding streets.
They are narrow with trees far too big for the width of the footpath blocking the narrow area further, uneven due to tree roots, poorly lit and littered, often with dog faeces. At night time I walk on the road instead of the footpath due to these hazards that a difficult to see due to the lighting.
I note that this seems to be more common around the less affluent side of Glebe (the streets bound by Glebe Point road down, Wentworth Park and Bay Street/Broadway Shopping Centre).
ROSS STREET FOOTPATH (Other)
When walking to Parramatta Road I cross Ross Street twice at traffic lights to avoid the dangerous footpath on the city side of Ross Street between St Johns Road and Arundel Street.
TRAFFIC: Cnr Wigram/Glebe Point Rds two pedestrian crossings heavily used. Possibly blinded by sunlight, drivers go straight through the crossing on Glebe Pt Rd without checking for pedestrians. Blackwattle Campus students especially endangered. Plus a constant bank-up of vehicles from Wigram Rd anxious to get onto Glebe Point Rd. There has been talk in the past of traffic lights at this intersection but it needs revisiting with the development of Harold Park.
FOOTPATHS: Narrow wooden strips sunk around grass verges by Council. Have seen people (including young) trip over these and go flying.
Increasing encroachment on footpaths with pots put out by flower sellers, and tables and chairs put out by cafe owners. Not so much the diners but their dogs on leads. Cafe staff patting the dogs and then returning to serving food.
Anti-social behaviour
I am concerned by drug-taking (injecting) which is occurring in secluded areas of our street (Jarocin Avenue) and the irresponsible disposal of the needles used.