Cyclist fears road will kill

Rusty Hall stands on the Gladstone Rd verge. Rusty is worried someone is going to die because of the state of the road’s verge.

Chris Ison Rokccycle

CONCERNED cyclist Rusty Hall is pushing for upgrade work to be done along the verges of Rockhampton's Gladstone Rd before someone dies.

Rusty, 73, has been riding along the busy road for years, but has never seen its condition so bad, with potholes and a significant lip running alongside the white line.

He fears the condition of the verges are forcing cyclists to increasingly put themselves at risk by riding on the side of the road, then moving across the lip to avoid heavy vehicles that approach too closely from behind.

Rusty said yesterday the state of what was one of Rockhampton's major roads was poor.

"I can't recall when there was last major work done on the road and verges," Rusty said.

"This road is high traffic among cyclists, not just those in training but people riding to and from work.

"Main Roads should be ashamed of themselves because the condition of this road is life-threatening for cyclists."

He said a cyclist recently broke his wrist after a fellow rider clipped his bike because he'd been forced across the verge when a large truck came frighteningly close.

With so many big vehicles now using the road, Rusty's concerns have been heightened.

"Cyclists have been subject to road rage because we have to go on the road," he said.

Rusty said the vast majority of motorists were great, but a small minority showed little regard for the safety of cyclists.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said the top priority was safety of all road users, both cyclists and motorists.

"That's why we've repaired more than 600 potholes following the heavy rain and prolonged wet conditions over the past fortnight across Central Queensland," the spokesman said.

"We've provided information to road users, particularly those using the Bruce Hwy, of the changed road conditions and the need to drive with caution.

"We have programmed maintenance for sections of Gladstone Rd (Lower Dawson Rd) in the next 12 months to provide a smooth new surface for all road users.

"In the interim, we'll continue to repair potholes as they arise."

If you want to dob in a pothole, call 13 19 40 or visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au.