Middle track between Reservoir trail and radfords track

pillinger drive track

shared use trial December 2015 – june 2016

Results of monitoring program

This six month trial looked at providing an off-road link from Fern Tree Park to The Springs for bike riders by trialling the conversion of two walking tracks to shared use.
During the trial the Trust obtained
·data from user counts (number and type of user)
·feedback from the community via an online form on the Trust website
·feedback from track users via on-site survey
·data from monitoring of track surface erosion and corridor change.

Track wear and erosion monitoring

1.1. No significant changes in track depth or obvious track erosion were detected over the 6 month trialperiod. Measurements were taken at 3 or 4 points along 3 transects across Middle Track and 4 across Pillinger Drive Track.

Corridor monitoring photography

1.2. No significant changes were detected between photographs taken at the beginning and end of the trial period at any of the seven monitoring locations. No community feedback and no user survey responses reported any effects on the track corridor.

On-site user survey results

1.3. 53 on-site user surveys were completed (28 Pillinger Drive Track, 25 Middle Track). The results are summarised below:

  • approximately 80% of respondents were from Tasmania, the rest were from interstate or overseas
  • approximately 30% were riding when interviewed
  • approximately 80% both walk and ride in Wellington Park; 20% walk only, no one indicated that they only ride
  • over 90% of all respondents said each track performed “well or very well” in meeting their desired experience on this visit
  • nearly all encounters with a cyclist reported by walkers were positive
  • no respondents had noticed any physical effects on the tracks from bike use
  • Over 90% of respondents had already used a shared use track.

1.3.1.The most common comments supportive of shared use were:

  • It’s fair
  • It’s a good thing if it’s done well, safely, carefully, sustainably
  • Spreads the effects/impacts; efficient use or resources
  • Encourages maximum number of people to exercise
  • Teaches people respect for other users.

1.3.2.The most common issues with shared use reported were:

  • Sharing with bikes prevents ‘quiet enjoyment’ of track
  • Safety concerns (to narrow for safe passing; poor sight lines; cyclists don’t warn of their approach; older people and younger children can’t react quickly).

1.4.Key questions and responses from the on site survey

  1. “Please choose the option (Strongly support/ support/ neutral/ oppose/ strongly oppose) that best describes your feelings about ongoing shared use ofthis section of track.”
  • Pillinger Drive Track respondents
  • 71% support/strongly support
  • 18% neutral
  • 11% opposed/strongly opposed
  • Middle Track respondents
  • 96% support/strongly support
  • 4% neutral
  1. “Generally, how do you feel about the idea of introducing some shared use with bicycles on sections of walking track in Wellington Park, where shared use has been assessed as suitable and sustainable?”
  2. 89% support/strongly support
  3. 7% neutral
  4. 4% opposed/strongly opposed

On-line feedback form results

1.5.30 responses received; of these

  • 4 were opposed to shared use
  • 23 supported shared use
  • 2 were conditionally supportive
  • 1 was unclear.

1.5.1.The most common comments supporting shared use were:

  • Provides links and route options (both tracks) e.g. to The Springs and North South Track; To Bracken Lane and S56 Track and lower Pipeline/Waterworks; to Fern Tree/Neika and Pipeline Track.
  • Safety aspects: safer than road; safer for children.
  • Easier and more convenient than riding on Pillinger Drive and Pinnacle Rd.
  • If well managed, Shared Use tracks are an efficient use of resources.

1.5.2.Most common concerns about shared use:

  • These tracks are too narrow for shared use in many places, especially Pillinger Drive Track.
  • Safety aspects: too narrow to pass; not enough time to react; cyclists don’t warn/use bell; hard for elderly/very young/hard of hearing to react quickly.

Track usage count

1.6. Count data: Track, user type, number, direction, date)

Upper Middle Track

  • 876 users overall counted (up and down)
  • 85% of uphill users were walkers, 15% riders
  • 95% of downhill users were walkers, 5% riders
  • Overall 11% of users were riders

User / up / down / combined
Walk(w) / 418 / 364 / 782
Ride (r) / 74 / 20 / 94
Total / 492 / 384 / 876
split % w/r / 85/15 / 95/5 / 89/11

Pillinger Drive Track

  • 544 users overall counted (up and down)
  • 89% of uphill users were walkers, 11% riders
  • 95% of downhill users were walkers, 5% riders
  • Overall 8% of users were riders

User / up / down / combined
Walk (w) / 199 / 303 / 502
Ride (r) / 25 / 17 / 42
total / 224 / 320 / 544
split % w/r / 89/11 / 95/5 / 92/8

Note: motion sensor cameras used to monitor track usage are difficult to set up to ensure 100% accuracy. These limitations mean that the total numbers and hence proportion of riders may be slightly higher.