Frome Road Bikeway: Improvements or Impediments?

The recently expanded Frome Road Bikeway, part of Adelaide's $12 million North-South cycling infrastructure project, has become a focal point of public debate. While its intentions—to encourage active transport and reduce carbon emissions—are commendable, several design and implementation issues have emerged, raising significant safety and congestion concerns.

1. Missed Opportunity for a Simple Design
Between North Terrace and the Adelaide Zoo, the bikeway design might have achieved better outcomes by merely widening the existing footpath to create a clear separation between pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Parts of this section were, in fact, installed this way, but inconsistencies have caused unnecessary disruptions to road traffic. The north-south bound section is so steep, the average cyclist rides at just above walking pace anyway.

2. Hazardous Integration of Bus Stops
The placement of bus stops directly within the bikeway has created dangerous interactions between buses, cyclists, and vehicles. Cyclists are regularly forced to merge unexpectedly into motor traffic, significantly increasing accident risk and reducing the effectiveness of the bikeway.

3. Ride-share and Delivery Vehicles Ignoring No-Standing Zones
Despite clear restrictions, ride-share and delivery vehicles frequently stop in no-standing zones along Frome Road, compelling cyclists to suddenly swerve into traffic lanes. Enhanced enforcement of these zones is urgently needed to maintain cyclist safety.

4. Congestion from Eliminated Left Turns onto North Terrace
The removal of the left-turn option onto North Terrace has worsened traffic congestion, particularly during peak periods, as vehicles wait for pedestrian crossings to clear. This decision has significantly disrupted traffic flow and increased frustration among drivers.

5. Reduced Traffic Capacity Leading to Peak Hour Gridlock
Reducing Frome Road to a single lane in each direction has predictably increased traffic congestion, with peak-hour delays notably lengthening travel times. This bottleneck negatively impacts commuters, visitors, and city businesses reliant on convenient access.

6. Broader Traffic Management Concerns
Given Adelaide's limited arterial road network through the CBD, concentrating traffic onto fewer lanes due to bikeway expansion exacerbates congestion, undermining the city's attractiveness to both visitors and workers. Balancing active transport infrastructure with necessary vehicular access remains essential for the city's long-term economic vitality and livability.

Potential Pathways Forward
Addressing these concerns requires responsive design adjustments, consistent enforcement of road rules, and proactive stakeholder engagement. Adelaide's city planners and transport authorities should prioritise solutions that harmonise cycling infrastructure with broader urban mobility needs, ensuring safety, efficiency, and accessibility for all road users.