Cycle only lanes the safest method for Sydney Rd: VicRoads report
VicRoads has asked users to help shape the future of Brunswick’s busiest street when it comes to cars, parking and bikes. But a report prepared months before public consultation reveals it may have already made up its mind.
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A report prepared by VicRoads before it held public consultation has revealed it believes removing carparking from Sydney Rd is the safest option for all road users.
In a public survey held in June and July, Option 3 showed protected bicycle lanes instead of any parking on the Brunswick shopping strip.
The report, seen by Leader, was prepared in February and graded all five options used in the survey, as well as existing conditions.
It found Option 3 to best fit with VicRoads’s own Safe System principals for all road users, with the existing conditions graded as the least safe.
Brunswick state Greens MP Tim Read has advocated for protected bike lanes on the road and said the report showed it was time to move forward with the idea.
“Sydney road is consistently one of Melbourne’s deadliest areas for pedestrians and people on bikes, yet there are some who would rather nothing changes at all,” he said.
Moreland Council last month resolved to ask the State Government for a six-month trial removing parking from the road.
But traders have baulked at the idea.
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The Sydney Road Brunswick Association said it preferred a similar look to Option 4, which would still leave some parking but have it banned at peak times.
Department of Transport roads director of transport and planning David Teague said responses to the survey were still being counted.
“We will make the report public when the community feedback has been thoroughly analysed,” he said.
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