Active transport is on the rise as people have found it is easier to physical distance this way, rather than getting public transport.
As a result, the City of Melbourne has moved to fast-track 40km of bike lanes with priority routes looking to connect Brunswick, Carlton, North Melbourne, East Melbourne and West Melbourne to the city centre.
The announcement comes as part of a $16 million investment and will be delivered in two stages, with the first 20km to be created in 2020-21. The bike lanes are being billed as “adaptable” and ones “that can be constructed and installed more quickly to provide more space for people riding bikes”.
For Melbourne Lord Mayor Capp, the move is about creating more confidence in the rider regarding their safety.
“By fast-tracking the delivery of bike lanes on key routes, we’re creating streets that people can feel confident riding along, which in turn will free up space on our roads, buses, trams and trains,” Capp said in a press statement.
“Our research shows that it’s essential to create physical protection from motor vehicles to encourage more people to ride in the central city.”
The @cityofmelbourne is working to fast-track the delivery of 40 kilometres of bike lanes to help people travel safely and support city businesses to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more: https://t.co/lD3GRc3J82 pic.twitter.com/CwpjtBbf4d
— Sally Capp – Lord Mayor of Melbourne (@LordMayorMelb) June 15, 2020
Transport portfolio Chair Councillor Nicolas Frances Gilley added to Capp’s remarks, saying that the move is part of a wider strategy to solidify Melbourne’s status as a notable cycle-friendly city.
“These routes are already earmarked in our Transport Strategy 2030, which sets out a 10-year roadmap for Melbourne to become a premier cycling city with a network of protected cycling lanes and intersections, lots of bike parking and facilities for cyclists,” Cr Frances Gilley said.
“We’ve seen other leading cities around the world such as Paris, London and Milan successfully integrate cycling as a key mode of transport to reduce congestion and accommodate growth.”
The first priority routes include:
Exhibition Street stage one (Flinders Street to Bourke Street)
Rathdowne Street (Victoria Street to Faraday Street)
William Street (Dudley Street to Flinders Street)
Abbotsford Street (Flemington Road to Queensberry Street)
Swanston Street (around the University of Melbourne from Grattan Street to Cemetery Road).
The announcement comes after major cycling organisation, Bicycle Network, recently called for the government to fast-track 750km of bike lanes in key commuter routes around Melbourne. The suggested routes included St Kilda Road, Sydney Road, Rathdowne Street, Exhibition Street, Royal Parade and La Trobe Street Bridge.
Find out more about the announcement here.
Originally published via Beat Magazine.
