NEWS
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman has answered questions posed by The Independent on the soon-to-be implemented City Cyclebike hire scheme.
His edited replies are:
1. Did council consider a much more modest trial runout of the scheme to test its viability? And if so, why was that rejected in favour of what appears to be quite an extensive scheme by world standards from the outset?
A: Based on advice from JCDecaux, who operate over 20 successful bike hire schemes around the world, the scheme was proposed to ensure a successful network across the inner city area of St Lucia to Newstead.
2. Who is paying for the rollout of bike stations, advertising signs, all necessary additional street signage, etc etc, that is now under way?
A: JCDecaux is responsible for the cost of installation of bike station and signage infrastructure. Council is responsible for the associated civil works such as line marking, kerb ramps, traffic islands and service costs.
3. Ratepayers have clearly outlaid a lot of money in the leadup to this scheme, through leaflets, council interfacing with affected residents and businesses, media advertising, public information sessions run by council staff, and the like. What will be the council's own total expenditure on the scheme up to its projected start point late this year?
A: The June 2009 estimate was $1.6million to provide 2000 rental bikes for up to 150 stations.
4. And does the agreement with the company that won the tender to run the scheme allow for those costs to be reclaimed from that company's profits.
A: No.
5. Can you give the ratepayers of Brisbane an assurance that whatever assistance has been, or is to be given to the operator by council under the agreement as it stands is the final contribution by the people of Brisbane? Or put another way, can you give an assurance that there is nothing in the agreement that commits ratepayers to outlay any further funds, in any shape or form whatsoever, to come to this operator's rescue if it struggles to run a profitable scheme?
A: Council shares risks with the operator.
6. At a recent protest meeting in New Farm, a local couple who says there will be a bike station directly outside their residence claimed that while council had stated there had been three "face-to-face" meetings with them, none had occurred. Given their statement, do you stand by your claim that all residents who would be directly affected. i.e. stations or advertising signs in front of their homes, had been consulted fully?
A: Council contacted residents where stations were proposed in residential areas and affected local parking arrangements, in late 2009. This was undertaken via doorknocking and follow up letterbox notifications that invited face to face meeting with these residents.
7. Why were residents in neighbouring houses or nearby businesses not consulted with directly? Don't they stand to lose just as much from the loss of parking spaces for either visitors or customers?
A: In Question 3, you state that ratepayers have clearly outlaid a lot of money in the lead up to this scheme, through leaflets, council interfacing with affected residents and businesses. Council undertook consultation across the CityCycle area during the second half of 2009, during which all residents were encouraged to be involved and contact Council for more information / to provide comment. This consultation included, newsletters to local residents, six separate staffed public displays, static displays in both the Central and the Gabba Ward offices as well as the West End and New Farm Libraries, which ran for over two weeks, briefings with stakeholders, a dedicated 1800 number and email address for local residents and businesses to contact Council regarding CityCycle and regular website updates.
8. The New Farm protest meeting suggested the siting of some stations on busy streets could lead to riders entering and leaving the stations being struck by motorists. Are you confident that the siting of all stations as outlined in council leaflets are in the best possible locations and are totally safe?
A: Pedestrian, cyclist and road user safety is a priority for Council. All CityCycle station sites have undergone a Council approval process, with consideration to traffic movements, sight lines for pedestrians and road users, existing signage and footpath furniture features. Each assessment has also considered conflict points between pedestrians, cyclists and road user movements. The CityCycle bike stations will include traffic island improvements to protect users, increased visibility and road surface treatments (green paint). The height and layout of the bike racks will offer improved visibility, when compared with parked cars.
