HUNDREDS of motorists have signed petitions calling for cyclists and pedestrians to be banned from the Kuranda and Gillies ranges.

Mareeba couple Jenni and Carl Ward kicked off the push by starting an online petition calling for cyclists and pedestrians to be banned from the Kuranda Range, saying the road was too dangerous to be shared.

By yesterday the petition had attracted 508 signatures in seven days.

“The reason I started the petition was to prevent a tragedy,” Mrs Ward said.

“There is just no room on those corners to give the required metre for cyclists.”

media_camera WRONG MOVE: Bicycle Queensland CEO Ben Wilson said the best way to ease traffic conditions would be to upgrade the Kuranda Range Rd, rather than impose a ban on bikesCyclists being harassed by truckies survey. Ben Wilson from Bicycle Queensland. PIC: MARK CALLEJA

Mr and Mrs Ward drive the windy Kuranda Range road from Mareeba to Cairns every week and say they had received dozens of messages from people saying they lived in fear of hitting a cyclist.

They stressed they were not “anti-cyclists” but they felt there were safer roads that could be used.

“We don’t want to take away people’s rights but that stretch of road just does not cater for bicycles,” Mr Ward said.

The Wards’ petition, which is addressed to Member for Barron River Craig Crawford, sparked the creation of another petition this week by Rob Buschkens calling for a similar ban on the Gillies Range.

media_camera NOT THE PROBLEM: Barron River MP Craig Crawford said their were “minimal or very few incidents caused by cyclists on the Kuranda Range Rd”. PICTURE: MARC MCCORMACK

Cycling group Bicycle Queensland strongly opposed the push to have bike riders banned from travelling on Far North Queensland’s classic scenic roads.

CEO Ben Wilson said the best way to ease traffic conditions would be to upgrade the Kuranda Range Rd, rather than impose a ban on bikes.

“Bikes belong on the road – banning them is a poor answer,” he said.

“What we need is better roads and better user management. Those opposing the presence of bikes should be lobbying for wider shoulders on the road as that is a proven way to increase safety for cars, heavy vehicles and bike riders.”

Mr Crawford said he would not support a ban.

“At this stage I am not going to exclude cyclists or even advocate for that on the Kuranda Range Rd or any other road infrastructure in my electorate,” he said.

“I don’t believe issues on the range are because of cyclists.

“There has been minimal or very few incidents caused by cyclists on the Kuranda Range Rd.”