Inkerman St community lashes Port Phillip Council over a bike lane project

A group of St Kilda traders are furious they could lose up to 116 parking spots to make way for a dedicated bike lane they say the council is rushing to approve.

Inkerman St Traders and residents are rallying to safe the parking bays.

Traders along a popular St Kilda retail and dining strip are accusing the local council of rushing through the approval of a dedicated bike lane at the potential cost of 70 per cent of carparks.

The City of Port Phillip’s decision to create a separate bike lane along 1.2km of Inkerman St, stretching between St Kilda Rd and Hotham St could mean the removal of 116 of the 180 parking spots and would cost ratepayers an estimated $9m.

Inkerman St business owner and resident Jaz Bradley said the project would impact more than 50 businesses along the affected stretch of road, many of whom still know little about the plan.

Inkerman St residents and businesses are rallying a plan to build a dedicated bike lane at the expense of up to 116 parking spots.

“A flyer was dropped into my letter box by another concerned person,” she said

“I was shocked to hear a bike lobbyist from Moonee Ponds speaking in favour of the bike lane, but nobody from the local community

“I was the lone voice from Inkerman St at the time.

“I did my own letterbox drop of information and most people I’ve spoken to had no idea about the project.

“Since finding out and spreading awareness, I’ve received between 400 and 500 emails from residents and business owners.”

Physiotherapist Paul Haskin, who has operated the Melbourne Hydrotherapy Centre on Inkerman St since 1989, said many of his clients were disabled or unable to walk long distances.

St Kilda PCYC’s Donny Pelsoczy said the removal of car parks at the front of the gym would make the site virtually inaccessible for the many NDIS clients that attend classes.

“We look after patients who have had strokes, Parkinsons, muscular dystrophy, people who have mobility issues,” he said.

“Losing 116 parking spots along the strip will severely impact their ability to access the facility. We are very concerned.”

Donny Pelsoczy, from St Kilda PCYC, shared the same concerns.

“We have Parkinson's’ programs and 12 NDIS programs that run from the gym,” he said.

“It will significantly impact our business and the people who come to us.”

The council has offered two options for the community to choose from with parking bays to be removed to help make way for the dedicated bike lane.

But Port Phillip mayor Heather Cunsolo said the council developed the two options for locals to choose from after community consolation.

“Being aware of the impact that parking loss has on community members and local businesses, (council) considered a number of design options and supported two different bike lane options for community feedback,” she said.

Option A would be for ‘Kerbside protected bike lanes’, with the loss of 116 parking bays and was touted as the safest outcome for road users, while Option B was for ‘On-road buffered bike lanes’ which would cut 20 parking bays but was the second safest option.