Reporting a hazard can help the entire community
Although we are lucky to enjoy some of the best cycling facilities in Australia, they do require regular upkeep to stay that way. Certain path or lane hazards such as potholes, crumbling sides and surface sand can appear overnight after heavy rain or strong winds.
| Community feedback is vital in helping the maintaining authorities to keep cycling facilities safe. Other hazards such as bumps or cracks in a path surface occur over a longer period of time, often through the encroachment of tree roots. These also need to be reported and dealt with as soon as they become noticeable. If the bicycle sensors at a set of traffic lights (usually indicated by a line of white diamonds on the bitumen) are not working, they need urgent attention. A badly positioned drainage grate or grab rail should also be brought to the attention of the maintenance engineers. Broken glass creates a real danger for riders and overhanging branches need to be trimmed back from time to time. |  |
Two potential problems for path users come in the form of the caltrop and doublegee plants. Both are groundcovers with spiny burrs that can puncture a bike tyre as easily as a nail.
Caltrop has grey fern-like leaves and tiny yellow flowers, while the doublegee has a green leaf similar to English spinach and inconspicuous flowers. Caltrop seeds can remain dormant in the soil for five years or more, only germinating after heavy late-spring rain.
Reporting an infestation of caltrop or doublegee near a path will allow authorities to spray the area before it spreads.
As a cyclist or pedestrian, it can be difficult to tell who is responsible for maintaining a particular stretch of path or road. To make things easier, there are now two simple ways you can report a hazard:
- Ring the Main Roads WA 24-hour call centre on 138 138
or
Your report will be forwarded to the relevant authority.
When lodging a report, try to be as specific as possible about the location, because this will help speed up the repair process. You also are welcome to ask for updates about any progress.
Don’t assume the next person will report a particular problem. By taking a couple of minutes to raise awareness of a hazard, all bicycle riders can ensure their facilities are kept in tiptop shape.
This fact sheet is one of a series dealing with the use of bicycles for recreation and transport in Western Australia. The series looks at a range of cycling-related topics including ride routes, touring tips, maintenance, safety, road rules, insurance and product reviews. See more cycling fact sheets online.
