Calls for Glen Eira Council to rethink options for Caulfield North cycling link
A decision on the location of a controversial bike highway slated for a Caulfield North street is due to be handed down next week. Now, a survey has revealed residents’ preferred option for the east-west cycle path.
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Hundreds of people have railed against a proposal to build a bike highway in a suburban Caulfield North street.
A survey of more than 550 people living near the planned Inkerman St route revealed nearly 85 per cent were against the Safe Cycling Corridor.
The poll, by Caulfield state Liberal MP David Southwick, comes after scores of residents slammed the proposal, which would strip the busy street of parking, as an “absolute traffic nightmare”.
Several roads were initially being considered as part of the controversial project, including Alma and Dandenong roads, but these were ruled out in Glen Eira Council’s early investigations.
The survey shows 80 per cent of those against the Inkerman Rd proposal were in favour of Dandenong Rd getting a Safe Cycling Corridor.
Save Inkerman lead campaigner Simone Zmood said while residents were consulted via council-run surveys and information sessions, she feared the council was “cherry picking” information to back up its preferred bicycle route.
“It’s like they’ve already decided what they’re going to do and they’re just trying to find whatever statistics they can to back up their decision,” she said.
“I just don’t think Inkerman Rd is the right location when there are other options that could be made much safer.
“The council needs to think more deeply about what’s truly safe.”
Ms Zmood said the project, which will provide an east-west cycling link from Dandenong to the CBD by connecting the future St Kilda Rd paths with the Djerring Trail, should be a State Government responsibility.
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“At this point, Glen Eira residents are being used as a connector between two bits of State Government infrastructure,” she said.
Ms Zmood said cyclists would be at risk of being hit by cars backing out of driveways dotted along Inkerman Rd if the project went ahead there.
Dandenong Rd — a state government asset — “could be made far safer, with virtually no interruptions for cyclists” by using the central median strip, she said.
“I’m not opposed to a Safe Cycling Corridor and I hope there’s no one who doesn’t want cyclists to be safe, but Inkerman Rd is not the right choice,” she said.
In a letter to Glen Eira Mayor Margaret Esakoff, seen by the Leader, Mr Southwick called on the council to commit to further investigation of the Dandenong Rd option.
“Should the council wish to proceed with the Dandenong Route option, I would be pleased to work with the Glen Eira Council in calling on the State Government to provide funding and support for this project,” he said.
The matter will be heard at the December 17 council meeting.