Yarra Boulevard - tacks - 6.3.14

[warthog1]

There is no obligation to ride in it even if it was a bike lane. Some tosser has made it impracticable to do so


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[Velo_bandit]

e.

there is no bike lane btw, not officially.

What is the official meaning for that white line (that is meant to separate the cyclists and the cars) then ?

So ride on the right of that line but why in an earlier post you mentioned left that of line?

If riding on the right of that line, wouldn't it be dangerous as the cars use that space as well?

1) The meaning of that line is to separate traffic from parking, that's why there are so many cars parked there.

2) Ride to the left side of the lane where the cars drive, like you would on any road, there is no bike lane on the boulevard except for that little two way 'Copenhagen' lane that's on the hill before the bridge over the highway.

3) It is possibly dangerous, however this is only if a driver to chooses to engage in dangerous behaviour, in which case they could choose to do so wether you are riding in the lane or on the shoulder, a white line is not a magical barrier that protects you from poor driving, trust me on that. The boulevard is probably safer than other roads as it has low traffic, one or two intersections, and it even has a 1.5 metre lane in the middle of the road to allow cars to overtake without going into the oncoming traffic lane. It is more dangerous to ride where you know there are hazards to your bike, if you are cornering on one of the boulevard's downhill parts and your tyre suddenly loses all of it's air pressure from a tack, you will go down, hard, and possibly be run over if you happen to fall into the traffic lane, at this stage it's marginally safer to ride where cars are also driving.

[SuperSix]

Anyone seen any tacks lately? I rode the Boullie on Sunday and saw 2 or 3 people fixing flats but have no idea if it was tack related. I didn't have an issue but stayed off the shoulder.

[cyclotaur]

I rode it N-S today with no problem but I stay in the lane. Didn't see any tacks or other riders with any problems and there were a few out on such a great day.

[Jaow]

I've had tack induced punctures on Friday and Monday (1 and 4 Aug). Judging by the rust on tacks in both incidents, possible they were strays that have been out for ages rather than from a new dump. Fridays was heading S-N and picked up in the bike lane on the climb before the roundabout at Wiltshire Drive. Mondays was picked up somewhere just after Yarra St, heading N-S. Nearly lost it hulk-style on Friday given it was dark, raining and about six degrees.

Thanks to the guys who have been cleaning up the major dumps of tacks over the last few months - seriously appreciated.

[Uncle Just]

Got one today probably near the Chandler Hwy end. Took a while to work its way in as I was near Bedford road on the trail before the tube went down.

[bokehbikes]

Has this died down a bit? I work in a bike store near by and haven't heard anything lately but am getting asked about it? Its such a beautiful stretch of road so close to the city the whole episode has been a real shame. I could only speculate the motives but id guess it would be a local resident who has had a few too many run ins over the years with the lycra clad. Hopefully its not just the temperature keeping them from heading out at night too lay more down.

[Timmeh_86]

Picked up one last Friday (8/8) on the way out of the city near the entrance to the park (Molesworth St) - thanks to all who stopped to check up on me!

[jules21]

i've been riding it almost daily for months. i have had one puncture. i stay to the right!

[jules21]

What I find amusing about that comment (not your puncture BTW) is the intent of the tacks was probably to put off cyclists riding in the area. But the unintended consequence is that riders now potentially ride far more right to avoid the potential for tacks creating punctures (which are naturally brushed to the side of the road by motorised traffic) and thus are now being more of a "hindrance" to the motorists who were targeting cyclists in the first place. The fool(s) never really thought it through to hard did they?

more than that, there have been dogs whose paws have been tacked, runners whose expensive air-cushioned running shoes have been punctured, motorcyclists' tyres punctured, even car tyres punctured..

Then there's this.. (although probably unrelated)

it took me 5 mins and $0 to fix my puncture.

[m@]

i've been riding it almost daily for months. i have had one puncture. i stay to the right!

This! I'm more a weekly visitor, but despite a run of punctures lately, not one of them has been on the boullie or due to tacks.

The... person... responsible will either give up, or slip up and get caught eventually. Just a matter of time. Until then, I'll ride there every chance I get, just to stick it to 'em

[jules21]

The... person... responsible will.. slip up and get caught eventually.

that person would struggle to imagine the vengeance reigned down on them if their identity was ever revealed

[Sergeantchili]

I picked up one on 12/8/14 and my mate who rides the Boulevard a fair bit picked one up last night 13/8/14. Thanks heaps to the guys who asked if i was ok and the other who stopped to help!

[jules21]

yep, got stung yesterday (Wed) morning - i should have kept my mouth shut (above!) it's busy with traffic in the morning - hard to ride in car lane

[Jaow]

Another for me yesterday morning (Fri 15 Aug). Picked it up somewhere while heading South (slow leak so not sure exactly where). The tack had a little rust - perhaps not fresh as a result - hard to tell. Brings the total for me to four over the past two weeks - after a period of around a month beforehand without any (I ride the Boulie in whole both commuting 4-5 times per week and usually during a ride on the weekends). Suggests to me that there have been some dumped in the last little while. Thinking it's time for one of those mini track pumps (I commute with a backpack) to speed up the process each time.

A mate picked one up near the Chandler on Weds morning (13 Aug) - happened quickly on the front and caused him to go down - fortunately just some bark off and no bike damage.

(and to the lowlife coward doing this - no way I'm going to stop riding on the Boulevard - you will never succeed and there is no doubt you'll be caught eventually)

[jules21]

Depends who he is caught by, are there nice secretive locations around there where a body is hard to find? Just kidding of course.

yes there are plenty! in fact i saw a guy living in a tent last week on one of the steep embankments leading down to the river. very well concealed areas

[simonsausage]

Just got word the tacks are back.
Avoid like the plague for a few days.

[jules21]

Just got word the tacks are back.
Avoid like the plague for a few days.

just ride to the right of the white line. tacks be gone! problem solved.

[il padrone]

Depends who he is caught by, are there nice secretive locations around there where a body is hard to find? Just kidding of course.

[dalai47]

Just got word the tacks are back.
Avoid like the plague for a few days.

just ride to the right of the white line. tacks be gone! problem solved.

I was volunteering at the turn around at the roundabout by the freeway for the BBN ITT today. Saw over 20 repairs underway on the drive to and from Walmer st whilst also setting up signs on the way...

[jules21]

I was volunteering at the turn around at the roundabout by the freeway for the BBN ITT today. Saw over 20 repairs underway on the drive to and from Walmer st whilst also setting up signs on the way...

they all ride in the bike lane! i was telling anyone who'd listen to stay out of it.

anyway, did you like my u-turns? i thought i nailed them today

was that you yelling encouragement?

[dalai47]

was that you yelling encouragement?

Guilty as charged. Since I am only just back on the bike and nowhere near ready to race yet I thought I might as well come and help out... Was a lovely morning to stand in the sun and yell at people!

[dalai47]

Driving? Practiced my punishment passes for the riders taking the middle of the road when I had to drive back down the road to pick up some signs left behind...

[Patches]

Got done today so it's clearly still going on.

[Gunlock]

Will be on the Boulevard tonight. Hopefully won't be walking home.