Cyclists push City to act on ‘hazard’

A cycling group has accused the City of Busselton of inaction over a “dangerous hazard” on Layman Road which has caused a serious crash.

Last week a group of Over 55s Cycling Club riders were pedalling along Layman Road in Wonnerup when they were forced to mount a kerb to avoid traffic at the intersection of Forrest Beach Road, causing a four-person crash.

Three cyclists were taken to Busselton Health Campus with concussion, broken bones and abrasions, with one needing lengthy surgery on a broken clavicle and elbow.

The cyclists said the incident was caused by a raised kerb on the north-eastern shoulder of the road, which cyclists use as a bicycle lane.

More than 150 members of Perth’s Over 55s Cycling Club visit Busselton each year for their holiday camp with Geographe Cycle Club, and reported the issue in 2016 and 2018.

The clubs and Cycle Action Group want the kerb removed, the stop sign on Forrest Beach Road pushed back and, in the meantime, the road painted to warn cyclists of the hazard.

Over 55s Cycling Club secretary John Bailey said the incident demonstrated two hazards to cyclists: the possibility of crashing after hitting the kerb, and swerving into oncoming traffic to avoid the kerb. “Any cyclists coming down this road are forced into traffic and a similar hazard has caused a death in the Swan Valley,” he said.

City of Busselton acting chief executive Oliver Darby said the road was not a designated cycle path and the City was not in the position to modify the intersection.

He said the City would add to the existing line markings approaching the intersection to improve awareness. “These works were in fact under way when the incident happened,” he said.

“The position of the stop sign is in accordance with Main Roads WA requirements and the intersection meets the appropriate guidelines.”

Cyclist Action Group president Bruce Robinson said the protruding kerb should be completely removed, not just painted, and the stop sign moved back 2m.