Heidelberg Road: Fairfield Boathouse owner calls for removal of bike lanes

Cyclists have won out over carparks along Heidelberg Rd in a controversial move that could destroy businesses and affect a popular park.

A decision to remove car parks and install 24/7 bike lanes along Heidelberg Rd is under fire, with more than 1000 people calling for the lanes to be removed.

VicRoads installed the bike lanes just before Christmas, under a $13 million State Government investment to deliver improved active transport links.

But Fairfield Park Boathouse and Tea Gardens owner Paul van der Sluys said the lanes had a massive impact on his business, with many customers now unable to find a park.

A petition calling for the lanes to be removed and parking reinstated has more than 1000 supporters.

“In late 2020, without promised community consultation, VicRoads installed the first 24/7 pop-up bike lanes in Victoria by dedicating two lanes of Heidelberg Rd for exclusive bike use,” the petition reads.

“The concept is commendable but the placement in this location is ill-conceived.

“It has severely restricted and disadvantaged the community from accessing Fairfield Park and the Yarra River.

“All parking adjacent to Fairfield Park and businesses between Arthur, Station and Jeffrey Streets was removed overnight.”

Supporters of the petition have blasted the move to remove parking.

“This is a shocking decision,” James wrote.

“So many better ways to keep all stakeholders happy.”

The Friends of Fairfield Park group voiced its support for the petition on Facebook, posting that the new lanes “make it unsafe for pedestrians of all ages”.

“On busy days, visitors are now forced to find parking in permit only and distant local side streets, adjust to confusing new traffic restrictions and cross six lanes of road traffic,” the group posted.

Mr van der Sluys said visitors to the area were incredibly frustrated at not being able to find a park.

“There’s elderly people and mums with kids and prams,” he said.

“There’s a beautiful playground; mums used to park alongside it and walk in the gate, now the playground is empty.

“(Fairfield Park) is not just a local park; people come from everywhere to enjoy it.

“(The removal of parking) will kill the businesses and kill the park.

“We host weddings, birthdays … and tourism is important.

“People need these outlets.

“It’s just not right to get rid of all those parks.”

IMPORTANT: A campaign is brewing to remove the Heidelberg Rd pop-up bike lanes.

Please give feedback via the link to highlight the positive impact the new lanes have had for bicycle uptake and safety.
https://t.co/8Wwo5jfduh https://t.co/ok0p6siMrO

— Melbourne Way (@MelbourneWay) January 26, 2021

Mr van der Sluys said because of the bike lanes, drivers wanting to turn left along Heidelberg Rd now had to do so from the centre of the road, which was “ a disaster”.

He said he had heard of several accidents caused from cars turning left into Station St.

He said not that many cyclists were using the new lanes, preferring to stick to the nearby Yarra Trail.

Bicycle Network chief executive officer Craig Richards said Heidelberg Rd had been transformed to give access to more people.

“Women, parents, children and people of all ages are now riding on Heidelberg Rd and visiting Fairfield Park,” he said.

“Links between Heidelberg Rd and the Wellington St bike lane have also created a protected bike route from Fairfield to the city. This will help more people get into the city safely as work returns and retail reopens.”

According to the VicRoads website, “the pop-up bike lanes will be approved for a fixed period of time still to be determined and will be removed or converted to permanent routes if they are successful, however this will require further funding”.

It said the pop-up lanes fixed a key gap in the network across Merri Creek, making it safer and more direct for more than 80,000 residents who live within five minutes to ride to work or school.

The State Government has been contacted for comment.