CYCLISTS fear plans for an Eaglehawk intersection could pose risks for both motorists and cyclists.
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The City of Greater Bendigo plans to install a roundabout at the intersection of Jobs Gully and Averys Roads.
Cyclists will have to merge into the traffic ahead of the roundabout to navigate the intersection.
Eaglehawk resident Bill Miller and Bendigo bicycling network advocate Edward Barkla are concerned about the arrangement, given traffic will be moving at up to 60 kilometres per hour ahead of the intersection.
The City of Greater Bendigo intends to erect signs ahead of the merging points to warn road users, but there will be no change to the speed limit.
The design of the roundabout is intended to force motorists to slow to speeds of 40kph or less.
City of Greater Bendigo engineering manager Brett Martini said motorists had a tendency to travel faster through roundabouts with lanes for cyclists.
Story continues below embedded roundabout designs
He said the city had allowed for merging to occur earlier in response to feedback from users of existing roundabouts.
The concern was that motorists were more focused on the oncoming traffic the closer they came to the intersection.
Cyclists acknowledged the city was trying to address road safety concerns by making merging occur further away from the intersection.
However, Mr Barkla said that was a long way for a cyclist to sit in front of a truck, bus or car.
"This is the sort of frustration we don't want to add," he said.
"This needs to be considered and thought through."
The roundabout falls on a truck route.
Mr Martini said an expected increase in traffic, associated with development in Jackass Flat, was part of the reason the city had sought funding for the intersection to be upgraded.
The roundabout design selected was based on a low-mid traffic flow through the area.
Mr Miller queried how the city had come to that assessment.
He has contacted ward councillors, city staff, leaders in the cycling community and even a road engineer about his concerns regarding the planned roundabout.
"The roundabout's a great idea. It's the design of it," Mr Miller said.
"As a social cyclist for more than 18 years, at approximately 5000 kilometres a year, and a motorist of more than 45 years, I believe I am reasonably qualified to speak."
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In a letter to the city, Mr Miller said he found the design frightening.
"I do not wish to see anyone riding amongst traffic, especially children," he said.
Bike Bendigo president Nicola Dunnicliff-Wells said she shared concerns about the planned roundabout.
She said most cyclists would not feel comfortable merging with traffic in a 60kph zone.
Ms Dunnicliff-Wells was also concerned motorists might believe cyclists were slowing them down, creating tension.
Bike Bendigo was consulted about the designs, but has expressed interest in providing further feedback.
Mr Martini said the city was open to further discussions.
The city wrote to nearby residents in July about the plans, inviting feedback.
Works are planned for March, at this stage.