RACV, Bicycle Network and Victoria Walks join coalition of 13 groups pushing for safer streets

This is how much money Melburnians could save each year by switching from driving to cycling.

Hundreds of kilometres in bike lanes and footpath upgrades are needed as more Victorians began returning to work, a group of leading transport advocacy groups have warned.

A coalition of 13 organisations including the RACV, Bicycle Network, Victoria Walks and the Heart Foundation will on Thursday release their “streets are for everyone” proposal, calling for the state government to make it easier for walking and riding.

Their report found the average Melburnian could save up to $80 by using active transport rather than their car, with a $500 million investment delivering a benefit of $6.5 billion.

Key recommendations include putting more priority on cycling and walking in transport planning and major investment in separated bike lanes across local communities.

Anthony De Silva, owner of bike shop I am Free, on the bike lane at the corner of Rathdowne Street and Faraday Streets, Carlton. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Under their proposal, residential streets near schools and shopping centres would also become more people friendly with lower traffic speeds and better signal times for pedestrians.

The RACV’s senior manager of transport planning and infrastructure, Peter Kartsidimas, said many Victorians had changed their travel patterns in 2020.

“Since the coronavirus pandemic began, we’ve seen an increase in the number of people riding their bikes, walking, jogging and scooting as a way of getting around, keeping active, and exploring and connecting with their local communities,” he said.

“Many Victorians have told us they want to ride and walk more, but they want to feel safe to do so.

“The Victorian Government must build communities where all Victorians have the option of walking or riding to work, the shops or other local destinations.”

The state government and local councils have invested to cater for growing demand from cyclists, with pop-up bike lanes and new upgrades rolled out across much of 2020.

Anthony on the bike lane at the corner of Rathdowne Street and Faraday Streets, Carlton. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Bicycle Network chief executive Craig Richards said positive steps had been made but more work was needed.

“We welcome the Victorian Government’s move to install 100km of new and improved bike routes in inner-Melbourne, it’s a great move,” he said.

“We urgently need more well-connected walking and bike riding paths in suburban Melbourne and regional Victoria,” Craig said.

“The pandemic highlighted the huge differences in walking and bike riding infrastructure based on where people live.

Heart Foundation Victorian CEO Kellie-Ann Jolly said changes to how we travel would also bring on a health benefit.

“Walking and bike riding are core pillars of healthy, vibrant and liveable cities and neighbourhoods, boosting mental and physical health and fostering community connection,” she said.

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Originally published as RACV, Bicycle Network and Victoria Walks join coalition of 13 groups pushing for safer streets