Burke Drive Traffic Study – goodbye to another cycling haven. Last night I was invited to contribute to a traffic study on Burke Drive as representative of a user group. Apparently on the back of complaints in 2025 a petition was raised by about 60 locals to investigate traffic calming strategies. There were about 50 – 60 people in attendance, mostly residents from the affected area as well as a few user group representatives like myself.
The complaints mainly revolved around traffic noise and speed, with groups of motor bikes late at night being the primary concern. The data for the area showed that there are 2500 – 3000 traffic movements per day which is was not excessive for the layout and width of the road. An 85 percentile distribution showed an average speed of 54 – 55 kph which is above the limit for the area, although not by a lot. However, this also means that there are a number of vehicles much higher than that. Cycling data, showed 600 – 700 riders per day during the week rising to 1500 on Saturday. Hence the need to engage with the cycling community.
Crash data showed that between 2020 – 2024 the majority occurred at intersections or involved parking. For cyclists, there were 9 accidents during that time, although we are not sure if that was only car/bike interactions or also included crashes in groups from wheel touches, etc. If an ambulance was called, then a good chance it ended up in these stats.
A bunch of options were shown, from speed cushions (those bolt down half humps that we can ride around) through to full raised intersections and choke points. Each table of 4 – 5 people were then asked to discuss what they saw as the issue and what solutions they found acceptable. I was totally lucky and ended up on a table with 3 retired guys that live just back from Burke Drive, with 2 of them being cyclists. The third guy was into his V8’s but had no problem with bikes being on the road.
The funny thing was that our solution, after discussion, was to do nothing. Not that it solved the problem, but at least it didn’t make it worse. Our reasoning was that humps cause the vehicles to slow down, but then they accelerate again, causing more noise, especially motor bikes. Choke points were dangerous and restricted visibility and stopped vehicles getting around bikes. And pedestrian crossings would be ineffective as there was no clear point where the majority of pedestrian traffic came through, meaning that you would need so many of them along the length of the road.
Each table then presented and that is when we really got to see the how and why of what people were concerned about. Surprisingly, there were very few that were concerned about the groups of cyclist coming through and “holding up traffic”. I think that the majority of Burke Drive does not have many traffic islands, so there are many opportunities for vehicles to pass. The majority of the concerns were concentrated down the Canning Hwy end especially alongside that long sweeping corner where Troy Park oval is situated. Weekend sport, with cars parking on the roadside, kids moving about and cyclists in groups all at the same time was highlighted. Motor bike groups sweeping through that long corner at speed especially at night was another common complaint.
From our perspective, we weren’t the target, but we certainly will be affected by any changes. The one complaint aimed at us was a common one, and that is, loud conversations in the early morning. Speed humps won’t solve that and will probably make it worse as we will call them out, but it is a fair complaint that we as a wider cycling community can, and should, be more respectful of the environments we are riding through.
Again this was just an initial workshop and all feedback was to be taken on board. However, it was clear that you don’t hire consultants and run sessions like this to accept that doing nothing was the correct answer. The timeline was for another workshop with another group of residents and an online survey before the consultants will make their recommendations. It will then go to council in Sept/Oct and a decision will be made from there. From that standpoint I cannot see any changes in 2026, but next year may see us having to ride differently along a much loved stretch of the river loop.
Other Information
2026 and 2027 international trips –
SPR is again looking to organise trips overseas after the success of ones to the Italian & Swiss Alps 2025 and The Grand Alps France 2024.
Please complete this brief EOI for either or both tours
Note: no SPR member nor the club benefit from the organising of these trips – it is intended to extend the cycling experience with fellow cyclists
Tour de Cowaramup 18th Oct
The Tour de Cowaramup charity road bike event is on again this year on Sunday 18 th October. Three distances 60km (piccolo), 85km (medio) and 130km (gran) with funds going to assist men suffering from Prostate Cancer.
Start/ finish: Juniper Estate
Register for normal entry $125 until 30th September, then late registration $145-$180. If no SPR team already established when you go to register, please set up a SPR team based on the distance eg SPR-Gran, SPR-Medio or SPR-Piccolo so others can join you.
We have booked accommodation for three nights at the Leeuwin Apartments as per last year; in Friday 16th October out Monday 19th October 2026. This is now currently full with those who have already put in an EOI. However, in case there is a cancellation or enough new interest, we could book another apartment but would need to know soon via this EOI. Note shorter stays cost the same price. Please contact Carol or Danielle via comdev@southperthrouleurs.com.au for more info.
Upcoming Racing
- WCMCC Road Race at Pickering Brook (14 June)
- WACX Numbat Cup at Lake Gwellup Reserve (14 June)
- WCMCC Road Race at TBC (21 June)
- WCMCC Road Race at Chidlow (28 June)
- WCMCC Road Race at Herne Hill (5 July)
- ATTA Champion Lakes (5 July)
- WCMCC Road Race at Dog Hill (12 July)
- WACX Numbat Cup at Iho Park (19 July)
- WCMCC Road Race at Chidlow (19 July)
- ATTA Champion Lakes (19 July)
Juniors
Last Saturday, the weather was fantastic, and we managed to get some of our juniors out for a ride. Unfortunately, James had a double puncture, but we still made it to the café in the city on time for a warm drink.
During our session with the younger kids, Henry and Claudia practiced going up and down Cardiac Hill in Kings Park. Henry is showing impressive improvement since he started, which is wonderful to see.
I understand that winter can make it harder to get motivated, but please don’t miss the opportunity to join our organized rides. Riding with our kids isn’t just great for physical health—it also helps build meaningful bonds with them.
Cycling is a fantastic sport because it mirrors life itself: there are ups and downs, moments of strength and struggle, and times of recovery after setbacks or illness. It teaches us resilience, patience, and perseverance—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. It’s one of the few activities that truly prepares us to face challenges and live better, more balanced lives. This is a great teaching for our children.
The training program for this week is:
Saturday (13/6)
For our U13 and U11 juniors, we will meet under the Mt Henry Bridge at 10:30 am for an endurance session. The planned route will take us to Point Walter and back (https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/404364880). We may adjust the route on the day to suit the abilities and experience of the riders attending. If needed, we will shorten the course to ensure the session is enjoyable, safe, and appropriate for everyone. If you are a beginner and joining for the first time, it’s very important that you let me know in advance. I may plan a separate course for beginners, but I need to coordinate with other volunteers to make sure we have the right support.
I invite our U17 and U15 juniors to join our main club rides from Coode St car park (South Perth) at 7am. I will be there supervising them.
Please check our WhatsApp SPR junior channel for any last minute call. If you are not in the group chat, please let me know if you would like to be included.
Upcoming events:
14/6/2026 – Liquor Barons Numbat Cup Series #4: https://wacyclocross.org/racing/calendar/
20/6/2026 – WA Junior Road State Series – Round 1 https://entryboss.cc/races/30575
From the Ride Coordinator
The weather is looking promising for a dry, albeit cold, ride this Saturday. We’ve scheduled Freo & Canning Vale, a route that we haven’t ridden since last November. Please review the route.
Sunday Hills rides head off in a similar direction to last week, however this week, it is the Short Hills groups that turn off at Midland Rd and the Long Hills group continues along Helena Valley Rd. If you’re out on Sunday and it is wet, take care on the descents and give each other extra braking room.
Saturday 13th June
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special
All rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Development group (*) – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday
Transition: Trans Canning Vale 42.35km SPR Saturday
Fast & Main: Freo & Canning Vale 52.11km SPR Saturday
(*) Please note that our Ride Leaders will adjust the composition and route for Development, Transition and Main 4 to suit people and conditions on the day.
Sunday 14th June
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Kal Goose 64.50km SPR Sunday
Short Hills: Kal Goose 64.50km SPR Sunday
Long Hills: Kal Chook Obs Hum 87.14km SPR Sunday
Monday 15th June
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
Currently no ride scheduled – stay tuned for a new Monday ride
Tuesday 16th June
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Two groups – solid roll through vs relaxed pace
SPR Tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
Ride starts at 6:30am at Koorak Kings Park Cafe Car Park
Main 4/Transitional/Novice
Kings Park laps at own pace, coffee at 7:30am
Wednesday 17th June
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
No drop recovery ride
SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)
Thursday 18th June
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Three groups fast paced roll-throughs
SPR Thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
Friday 19th June
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am